Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, Peripherals, Portables, Macbook Pro, MacBook, MacBook Air
External battery packs for Mac laptops
In The batteries, from Sanho in California, are available in 4 different capacities, 60Wh, 100Wh, 150Wh and 222Wh, giving a computer like the MacBook up to 32 hours of battery life. The company is also offering a car charger. These items are all available for pre-order and will ship later this month. Prices are $149.95US (car charger), $199.95 (60-watt-hour battery), $299.95 (100Wh), $399.95 (150Wh) and $499.95 (222Wh). The batteries also come with a USB power port so you can charge an iPhone at the same time or separately.
The first thing I thought of when I saw this announcement was how the company was able to offer a charger with a MagSafe adapter, because that design is protected by Apple patents. I checked with the company president, Daniel Chin, and he told me: "What we did is obtain the MagSafe connector and cable from the original MacBook AC adapter, remove the adapter and splice in our own charger plug, which interfaces with our battery and car charger products. Since we are using the original Apple MagSafe plug and did not modify the actual plug (which the patent in question covers) in any way, we are still respecting Apple's IP and in no way infringing upon their patent."
That might or might not satisfy Apple, but it did allow the company to offer these chargers which are likely to be highly desired by some customers. At the very least, I'm surprised Apple has not offered a car charger for laptops. I can think of many times such an adapter would have been handy.
Update: Several commenters have pointed out the QuickerTek and MikeGyver power solutions for the MBP line, which predate the Sanho offering and use the same approach of sacrificing a MagSafe adapter to provide the plug connector. Apple's Airline adaptor, while electrically similar to a car adapter, is not recommended for automotive use (some have tried it with success, your mileage may vary). Lastly, you can of course use a DC inverter for in-car charging, but please be careful not to obstruct vents or leave the device plugged in and unattended... they can get very hot while in use. Happy motoring!
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kash said 5:09PM on 5-04-2009
buy one now before they get sued out of existence
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Clark said 4:54PM on 5-04-2009
So how do they get all these old MacBook AC adaptors?
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Alex said 4:53PM on 5-04-2009
You don't really need a specialized power adapter to charge a Mac in a car. All you need is a Power Inverter. They cost about $35 and can convert any 12-volt car power port into one (or more) grounded 3-prong wall outlet.
Then all you need is the power cable that came with the Mac. It is the same as a wall outlet.
To make sure you are getting the correct one, look at the "continuous" power output, not the "peak" power output.
Note: I would suggest getting some sort of surge protector anytime you are charging a computer in a car as a car's power system is much less stable, more prone to surges.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=96391
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swissfreek said 5:18PM on 5-04-2009
I thought Apple had a 12V Magsafe adapter? It's $50, but it's pretty slick as car adapters go, and there's no brick or anything, just a cigarette lighter plug and a Magsafe cable.
Yeah, power inverters are cool, but it's pretty inefficient to convert DC to AC, then use the power brick to turn AC back into DC. There's a good amount of heat generated on both ends (which equals wasted energy), the inverter (and power supply for that matter) weigh a good amount, and it's two extra boxes to float around in your car.
All this to do what could theoretically be accomplished with a few resistors to get the required voltage drop.
BUT, having one of these external batteries would be pretty cool. The smallest one looks like it's a little bigger than an iPhone and not very heavy for what it is. Nice to have for an emergency juice-up if you're on the road and need a little more time at the keyboard.
I wonder if, instead of splicing cables from AC power supplies, they could maybe put an airliner 12V plug on it, and then you could plug an Apple-sourced Magsafe adapter directly? I guess with the pack only being .85 inches thick, it might be a tight fit to put that size jack on it...
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Bruce said 5:56PM on 5-04-2009
Not looking to argue but apple power adapters run at a higher voltage, I believe it's somewhere in the 18-24 volt range. It's much higher than the typical ~13.4 max volts in a car. Since you are stepping up DC voltage, it's gonna require a bit more than a few resisters.
Adnium said 5:18PM on 5-04-2009
Is Apple unwilling to license the MagSafe adaptor to third-party accessory vendors?
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itzumang said 5:24PM on 5-04-2009
Why do you think Apple got it Patented ?
puhsitch said 6:18PM on 5-04-2009
@itzumang: Assuming you're asking why he thinks it's patented, and not why Apple patented it, go to http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm and search for "7311526"
Taylor said 4:24AM on 5-05-2009
Even if they've patented it, they could still license it out to vendors (at a price) so they can make accessories with the MagSafe plug.
Also, I have a no-name brand MagSafe AC Adaptor for my MacBook that I bought on eBay when my real one broke... so, there are people who know how to make MagSafe adaptors without breaking old ones!
Adnium said 5:41PM on 5-04-2009
@itzumang
I expect they patented it so that had the ability to both charge and select the people who can incorporate it into their products.
Sort of like so they can license it.
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darren said 7:19PM on 5-04-2009
These aren't the first to do this.
A quick bit of google-fu brings up these
http://www.quickertek.com/products/macbook_pro_charger.php
Someone I work with has one, by another firm, not sure who by though off the top of my head - its jet black, very long and has a kettle lead to connect it to the mains.
Again, like the company in the article they all hack a MagSafe onto the end of their own cabling, which is something I doubt Apple have an issue with, since I can think of a few instances a least two to three years ago of other companies doing the same for their own powerbricks. (They charged more than Apple did for the official PSU's to take into account the cost of hacking the end off multiple Apple PSU's at the time. So these were likely short lived.)
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LD said 7:20PM on 5-04-2009
Not really the first.
(Since 206) http://www.batterygeek.net/Batterygeek-net-MacBook-MacBook-Pro-Battery-Packs-s/78.htm
http://www.quickertek.com/products/macbook_pro_charger.php
http://mikegyver.com/Store/index.html
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Stace said 12:37PM on 5-05-2009
I've been using my Battery Geek portable power station since 2006. Love it.
samuel said 7:31PM on 5-04-2009
I tell you something Apple has overlooked; and that is Power Surge protection. Sure, one might feel safe plugging in ones MacBook at work or at home, but as this device is portable then its chances of getting caught out are greater. For example, when Apple shrunk the MacBook AIr's power adapter by something like 20% they could have used that space to include a Power Surge protector... I don't know if this product has one but it should.
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Alexis said 8:05PM on 5-04-2009
This is really an awesome idea! I heard about this from a friend this morning and even though its expensive, I would get it! This would be a great back and if you're in a hurry or unorganized like me, its great! And I'm really unorganized!!!
Alex - Professional Cutie
http://www.mioamoredesign.com
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Jack Clark said 9:32PM on 5-04-2009
The Apple airline adaptor works in your car as long as the car is running.
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macvoodoodr said 3:23PM on 5-05-2009
Actually the only Apple recommended 12v adapter is the Kensington Ultra Portable Power Inverter 150W for about $70--and it is a 12v to 120v adapter. I tried a similar APC converter that was made for laptops and the Apple power supply buzzed while the Macbook Pro had cursor freeze and other anomalies, probably caused by the universal power adapter trying to track the sine wave of the AC. There are reports of other converters possibly working, but it would have to put out a true sine wave while many inverters make a stepped or square wave output.
You can fry your power block and probably void your warranty if Apple doesn't approve...
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ben said 10:46PM on 5-04-2009
actually the apple airline adapter is not meant for auto charging, from the apple tore site
"Important notes:
* Using the MagSafe Airline Adapter provides power for your computer but does not charge the battery.
* The MagSafe Airline Adapter is NOT COMPATIBLE with automobile power ports."
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Jack Clark said 8:46AM on 5-05-2009
Yes, you're absolutely correct that is what the documentation says. But don't believe everything you read. 12v sockets in cars provide a higher voltage when the engine is running, closer to the 14v that airline sockets provide and close enough to charge your Macbook. It's not idea as the car needs to be running, but will still save you a bundle of cash.
tintin said 1:06AM on 5-05-2009
Great post to read. Thanks for sharing this battery for Mac laptop. I can use this so far. You can also visit http://laptopreviewsblog.co.uk/ for more laptops info's and photos.
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