Samsung shows off fuel cell dock with one month of laptop power

A beautiful, harmonious future of fuel cell power providing ample juice to our various portable devices just got one step closer, with Samsung announcing a largish laptop dock that can squeeze a whole month of power out of a single fuel cell cartridge. Samsung is parading the setup with a Q35 ultraportable, and while we're sure some laptops will up the power requirements and fall a bit short of that month, the new fuel cell is still quite impressive. Samsung claims the 650Wh/L energy density is roughly four times that of competing offerings, and that the noise level has been reduced to that of a normal notebook computer, which had apparently been a large obstacle to commercialization. Samsung is also prepping a mini version of the fuel cell which uses around a coffee cup's worth of fuel, but can still power a laptop for over 15 hours. Safety standards are still in the works for the new tech, but it looks like Samsung is rearing to go, and they're planning to launch this dock at the end of 2007.

[Via Akihabara]

[battery @ Mar 8th 2008 7:43AM]

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Verizon is about the only place you can get the authentic RIM product and matching door. Most other sites are out of stock and even when they are in stock they have the black battery door which looks like crap. http://www.batteryfast.com.au
:)

[disciple83 @ Dec 27th 2006 11:46AM]

Aside from the weight of carrying enough fuel to power a laptop for 8 hours, what kind of emissions does that thing release? Is it similar to what would happen if you lit a fart on fire or what? I truly doubt that thing is safe for in-flight usage. Then of course is the necessity to fill that up too so you can turn it on, they'll probably start setting up laptop gas stations I am sure.

[Manny @ Dec 27th 2006 11:54AM]

I'd like to see what happens if you mix it with an exploding recalled battery and then dropped it on the floor. Thtat would be some party

[Tobbe @ Dec 27th 2006 11:58AM]

I don't see why everybody is looking forward to fuel cell laptops so much. I would hate to have to buy fuel just to use my laptop. Having to pay to use my laptop would suck! Fuel cells are the same as disposable batteries, they just last longer.

Long live rechargeable batteries!

[Fancypants @ Dec 27th 2006 12:52PM]

I dunno, not only do they last longer, but you also get instant recharging capabilities (no more last minute "oh crap, I forgot to recharge my laptop"). Depending on the fuel used, the additional cost for fuel could be nominal.

[ConceptVBS @ Dec 27th 2006 4:01PM]

This was posted on the website:

"Correction: Actually, the DMFC(Direct Methanol Fuel Cell) Battery(shown in the photo) can power laptop for about "160 hours(8 hours * 20 days/ 1200Wh)". And It will be available in late 2007 in Korea. A Korean paper reported today that Samsung is currently undergoing 'satefy tests' to meet the safety standards and regulations set by the US gov. and/or the EU. Pretty Kool, huh? "

[Kevin @ Dec 27th 2006 12:03PM]

Desciple, the only emmission is pure H20. (Water, usually vapor.)

[AAA @ Dec 28th 2006 1:22PM]

It all depends on the fuel cell type. Several Variants exist that use differant fuel sources, Methanol, Butane, (Pure) Hydrogen, even gasoline can be used to power a fuel cell given that it was designed to run on that fuel type.

[Ben Heckendorn Actual @ Dec 27th 2006 3:34PM]

Oh yes! The future is here! I want a fuel cell... too cool!

[disciple83 @ Dec 27th 2006 12:42PM]

Cuz humidity and electronic components go so well together. A leak in the exhaust system would spell certain doom for Mr. Lappy, not to mention those unsightly booboo stains on the user's lap. But I guess a leaky exhaust pipe is the least of concerns considering you're placing a small combustion chamber on your lap.

[Fancypants @ Feb 14th 2007 12:55AM]

Firstly, it is not a combustion engine ... that would be silly. Second, the exhaust system would be separated from the internal electronics casing. In the mockups I've seen the fuel canaster takes the form of a handle/hinge for the laptop. I think you need to give engineers a little more credit.

[Tobbe @ Dec 27th 2006 1:05PM]

I guess it could be ok if you could by the fuel in 1 or 2 gallon cans really cheap and then refuel at home...

[applesucksLeo @ Dec 27th 2006 4:53PM]

Just don`t let Sony make any of these...it could be catastophic ;)

[e_man_88 @ Dec 27th 2006 11:58PM]

disciple83: A fuel cell uses electrolysis to create electricity. There is no combustion involved.

[Miguel @ Dec 27th 2006 2:48PM]

disciple--

A fuel cell is not a combustion chamber. The synthesis of oxygen and hydrogen into water releases electric energy because it's what is called an "exothermic" reaction to chemistry people. A fuel cell ceaptures this released energy to run your laptop. Your frequent jibes against this as some sort of conventional engine just make you seem stupid. Please shut up.

[Alexander @ Dec 27th 2006 2:51PM]

I would say that instead of using the fuel-cell to power the laptop, but instead are used to EXTEND the life of the laptop--then great. Kinda like hybrid. Or, use the batteries when your doing nothing (excel, sol, nethack) and then when you need some serious computational power, kick in the afterburner. XD

[Alex @ Dec 27th 2006 3:01PM]

Shouldn't that read, "Samsung announces World's First Ever fuel cell powered laptop"?

[Nith @ Dec 27th 2006 3:06PM]

Maybe I am missing, but the last time I checked you had to pay for recharging you batteries (its called the electricity bill, but of course if you're a 12 kid who just wants to bitch you don't pay the bills yourself).

Batteries are the biggest hold back of portable technology at the moment. Power, size, shape and price of a device are majorly decided by batteries. This will free us to have small devices that have large power consumption but still have hours, or days of battery power without recharge/replacement.

[Tobbe @ Dec 27th 2006 4:10PM]

I don't think fuel cells will change your electricity bill one bit. I assume you will still have your fuel cell laptop running on AC when you're at home... It's on the commute to and from work/school you're using the battery or fuel cell, and it when you get to your destination you need to recharge. And last time I checked I didn't pay for electricity at the office, school, train station, airport or wherever you can find some holes in the wall to recharge from.

[rustafaria @ Dec 27th 2006 3:19PM]

"Ooh the future!! Run for your lives!! It's new and different and i don't trust it!!"

To all of you ignorantly complaining about technical innovations... you sound like the people who, when the steam locomotive was invented, said 15 miles an hour was too stressful on the human body...

[treetrunk @ Dec 28th 2006 6:31AM]

My main problem with these is that they use methanol, which isn't the safest of substances. A few spoonfulls of it can kill you (less can make you go blind), and it's highly volatile and inflammable.

Before someone points out the obvious, yes, I guess petrol is similar and does just fine. However, firstly, petrol is much less poisonous and volatile. Secondly, the closest it gets to you most of the time is sitting in a big sturdy tank under a car. This makes it unlikely to leak and means that if it were to it isn't right in your face should it decide to poison you or go on fire.

For methanol-based fuel cells to replace batteries this couldn't be the case. We're talking much smaller, easier damaged containers that are a lot closer to the people using them (on your lap, in your pocket, in your bag, etc). While I'm sure with small enough quantities and sufficient safeguards it can be done, it does seem to be an inherently far more dangerous technology than batteries. I'm not yet convinced.

[Taco @ Jan 3rd 2007 10:54AM]

Fuel Cells are a great technological achievement but this is going down the path of printer ink cartridges. I would rather have a 100$ battery that can be recharged over a 2-3 year period than have to buy 30$ "refill" every month for the rest of the life of the laptop.

[Simon @ Dec 27th 2006 7:35PM]

Hey, you three "quickies": If you don't know shit, just shut up.

Hope Samsung comes through with this. Been waiting for quite some time now. Hip hip hooray to 2007!

[[e-mail] @ Dec 27th 2006 11:15PM]

I am an engineering major, dispite all the tech side, one qucik question. How much does the cell cost again? There is a difference between science and applied science. But no matter what, it is a good start

[Rich @ Dec 27th 2006 11:13PM]

Seriously, this is very cool - but would I need to check my 'dock' when I fly? Could I even bring something like this on a plane (checked or not)?
As for the heat, if they made one for the MacBook, no one would ever notice.....

[salem2cool @ Dec 28th 2006 4:31AM]

I wish the guys lost on Mt Hood had some kind of strong battery powered locator beacon lasting a month.
Technology is lost on the useless games.

[Simon @ Dec 28th 2006 3:54PM]

As some people have recently noticed: Batteries are not 100% safe either.

Anyway, there will be regulations to make them safe and even more there will be some major public pressure if they happen not to be safe enough. Nothing is totaly safe, you just need to be stupid/careless enough and you can even break stuff and injure yourself with a little remote control ;)

So, in my book, this is finaly a real step towards a better power supply for mobile devices. Wether it be a bit more dangerous or not.

[paperless @ Sep 5th 2007 10:56PM]

Im not at all excited with this..but there are still many details that we dont know much about yet.

Well..time for them to convince people like me why fuel cell is the way to go :)