Solar-powered Voltaic Generator laptop bag gets reviewed

Voltaic's Generator solar bag first hit the scene at CES 2008, and it has just now begun to filter out to deep-pocketed, environmentally-friendly laptop owners. The crew over at Laptop Mag was able to take it for a spin, and overall, they seemed a bit perturbed by the whole thing. It was not particularly ergonomic, it always fell over on itself when sitting idly on the floor and it was just too heavy to be lugged around with any level of comfort. Furthermore, there aren't enough options for laptop connectivity, meaning that lots of people will probably be left in the cold due to the limited support for notebook models. Reviewers felt that $499 was simply too much to ask for such a cumbersome device, and if two hours of extra life is worth that much to you, you're probably better off buying another battery and donating the rest to a green cause.

[D @ Dec 19th 2008 6:33PM]

$499 bag....second battery....$499 bag....second battery, a coin shall be flipped!

[Johan S @ Dec 19th 2008 6:39PM]

They say it's heavy so to lug it around or travel you may have to dish out for increased food caloric intake and slightly low gas mileage in your car.

Hmm, actually I don't want to dis this product entirely .. it's prolly a good idea for people who may be out in the boonies etc. Also pervasive solar power is never bad.

[Tankyu @ Dec 19th 2008 11:19PM]

What if you had the MacBook Air? I guess Starbucks has power outlets anyway.

[M @ Dec 19th 2008 6:42PM]

Can you take it on a plane?

[Kevin @ Dec 19th 2008 6:52PM]

For $500 that bag better be carrying itself.

[Chase @ Dec 19th 2008 6:59PM]

Or at least not be so ugly...

[scott @ Dec 19th 2008 7:01PM]

i've always had a dream where, one day, a bag can levitate behind you instead of dragging you down, saving millions of people from scoliosis.

[iEye #2 @ Dec 19th 2008 7:04PM]

Tapping the status bar (the bar at the top with the clock) will make scrollable content scroll to the top.

this has been a complimentary iPhone tip of the day service...

[MARSHAK @ Dec 19th 2008 8:59PM]

son of a bitch, theres more of them?

[S. Huber @ Dec 19th 2008 7:30PM]

will the manufacture and transportation environmental cost of the bag verses the life of the bag be less than $449 worth of plug recharging the laptop.
If not then it is NOT environmentally friendly.

[tekdroid @ Dec 19th 2008 7:36PM]

seeing this bag is side-heavy (tips over onto the panel surface side) it would make sense to just sell the solar panel (with retractable, 'ability-to-get-any-angle' kickstand and battery by itself. It would also attract far less attention while travelling. Make the panel foldable and packed in its own protective sleeve for protection. People can then use it in any bag.

I suppose the downside is it can't charge while you are carrying it, but removing the panel from bag routine would be far more preferable to me. A foldable panel would also potentially allow a larger fold-out.

Seems like a not-well-thought-out bag, over-all.

[Shinigami @ Dec 19th 2008 8:30PM]

Basically this is an expensive toy for those who collect these kinds of things.
If it was sold for $50, then yes, it would make sense to buy it.
IMO

[Mr. Pips @ Dec 19th 2008 9:02PM]

This will save the environment. Batteries are toxic and kill the planet every day. This bag should be the only bag people are allowed to buy.

[Jason @ Dec 20th 2008 12:07AM]

Thanks, Big Brother!

[catapults.music @ Dec 20th 2008 4:58AM]

You're either an idiot or my new flamebait hero. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, kudos sir.

[Santa @ Dec 19th 2008 9:06PM]

Hmm. $500 bucks might be better spent toward a solar array on my roof...there's ROI, and as a bonus I could charge my laptop...

[catapults.music @ Dec 20th 2008 5:01AM]

If this product is any indication, your car may be inclined to flip over while stationary. Just saying, you might want to reconsider that.

[a ham sandwich @ Dec 19th 2008 9:55PM]

Also, what's the probability of the cells cracking? Are they protected by some thick plastic or something?

[theBill @ Dec 20th 2008 12:05AM]

I'd rather have one of the Eclipse Solar Gear messenger bags. Half the price.

[hayashiox @ Dec 20th 2008 1:31AM]

It will suck if this thing was stolen.

[zonamanoz @ Dec 21st 2008 9:55AM]

Yeah, suck solar radiation that is, ho ho?

[bashers @ Dec 20th 2008 4:15AM]

ROI....what ROI!
my laptop takes 10w/hr when charging and takes 5 hours
That costs me 3.5pence to charge per day gives you £12 per year.

This thing need to work for 20 years just to break even!

[Julian Bond @ Dec 20th 2008 10:51AM]

big question for me is why solar cells are so expensive.

[CosterMonger @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:12AM]

yeah like I really want to leave my laptop in bag out in the harsh sunlight; I wonder what kind of splendid wonderful thing that will do to all those intricate components, at the very least the battery?

[Bob S @ Dec 31st 2008 8:20PM]

Just what I need for my cellphone... i'll take 2

[ken @ Jan 6th 2009 4:02PM]

i talked to this guy at voltaic - said these panels have a 25 year warranty - i cant think of much else that's guaranteed to last that long. also, you dont need to leave your laptop in the bag for it to charge because the solar panel charges the battery. honestly, for something that can charge a laptop, this is pretty amazing. no doubt apple will be carrying it soooooon.