Apple's Battery Charger Sets New Standby Usage Benchmark

[Ruahrc]

There's way too much jumping-to-conclusions here.

From the marketing copy it seems as if these are LSD cells. Manufacturer? Who knows. Only when they start getting in the hands of users will we really know.

Quality of the charger is a big issue. Is it a high quality charger? Does it use dV termination, or dT? Is each cell charged on a separate circuit or are they handled as a pair? Most cheaper chargers handle batteries in pairs, so a 2-cell charger only has one charging circuit (assuming that you use them in pairs and that they are identical enough, so they each only need equal amounts of charging). But a high quality charger charges each battery independently of the others in order to give each cell optimum charge. Again we'll have to wait until users get their hands on the charger to see exactly how it operates.

The one thing I do like about this charger though is that it seems pretty compact, and might make for a good travel charger. If it proves to be of reasonably good quality, I could see where it would be nice to have a good quality (like a Maha or a LaCrosse) charger at home, and then for trips bring along this very compact charger which will (hopefully) still do a pretty good job of charging, but will save you space when you don't need advanced recycle/refresh/reporting type of charging on the road. Would be cool to see a 4-cell version but if you typically only use your batteries in pairs it would be a great bringalong charger.

P.S. I think Apple's claims of "10 times better than the average" is a bit far fetched. Consider that a fully charged NiMH is uaually around 1.42V terminal voltage. My LaCrosse BC700 trickles about 15-20 mA per cell once the charging is complete. Power equals amps times volts (P=IV) so the wattage of a 1.42V cell charged at say 17 mA is ~24 mW. Multiply by 2 (although the BC700 can do 4 cells the Apple charger only does 2) and it's ~50 mW. So in reality the Apple charger is about half the trickle charge of what is considered to be a good charger. I guess a cheap low quality one has the possibility to draw a lot higher idle current, but compared to my BC700 it's not really a significant improvement.

P.P.S. Will this also charge AAAs?

Ruahrc

 

[neoelectronaut]

But wait, what if I have to charge my Apple Wireless aluminum keyboard that uses three AAs?

 

[ModestForumName]

Now THAT's nifty!

If only solar cells were more efficient in converting light energy to electricity...
Don't get me wrong, I think solar is a turn in a positive direction, but it still has a bit of a way to go before it hits mainstream because of the relative inefficiency of solar power conversion technology as it stands today.

If only my peripherals could photosynthesize *to the genetics lab*

 

[sgibson]

But wait, what if I have to charge my Apple Wireless aluminum keyboard that uses three AAs?

The new keyboards use two, clearly you are due an upgrade

 

[kernkraft]

But wait, what if I have to charge my Apple Wireless aluminum keyboard that uses three AAs?

Then you either buy two of these for $58 or buy another make (Sanyo, for example) for $18. But I have to warn you - those other makes might do an excellent job, but they are not white plastic and they are not magical at all.

 

[SBlue1]

i am buying those, its a no brainer...

 

[Regbial]

one or two?

can you recharge a single battery? or do they have to be in pairs? because I have an older model keyboard (which uses an odd 3 AA batteries), and sometimes I just need to charge two batteries and then one battery

 

[notjustjay]

the 18650 is essentially the size of the AA.

higher density and capacity though

Yes, but the beginning of this rabbit trail was someone saying "Why are the AA rechargeables still NiMH when Li-ion is a better technology?" And the answer we established is that there is NO place you can buy a 1.5-volt, AA-format Li-ion cell. The 18650 comes close, but is still too big and more than twice the voltage. You couldn't stick that in your flashlight or digital camera and expect it to work.

There is also the practical matter that if someone did come up with an AA-cell Li-Ion pack, there would be the danger that you could pop the Li-Ion cell into a "traditional" NiCad or NiMH charger, i.e. something that wasn't specifically set up to handle a Li-Ion cell, and cause damage to the pack or a potential overheat/fire risk.

For those wondering about the Tesla, here's a link with info about its battery pack: http://www.teslamotors.com/roadster/technology/battery

 

[kernkraft]

Actually...

Look at this!

(Apple photoshopping their own product. It is not a fake, but the real thing!)

 

[hiptobesquare]

You know you're on a fanboy site when there is this much excitement about a friggin' BATTERY CHARGER!

Actually, it'd be a lot nicer if the batteries were re-chargeable within the devices THEMSELVES.

Tony

That is what I was thinking.

Some sort of cradle device that has a cord, that can touch contacts on the roll under top edge of the wireless keyboards, and wireless touch pad (it isn't magic, I won't call it magic.) and maybe some sort of pad to touch contacts on the multi-touch mouse, as well.

Either that, or maybe this is finally a better use for the induction charging stuff where, mere proximity transfers a charge via electric field. Most of the time, I don't understand the desire for the wastefulness of induction charging, compared to a cord... but with differing devices, like BT keyboard, mouse, or touchpad, in any combination... an induction charger might start to make a bit of sense.

Put good rechargeables in the devices, and just set them on the pad when computer puts up battery warning on the screen, and the LED signal light on the device changes.

 

[ModestForumName]

can you recharge a single battery? or do they have to be in pairs? because I have an older model keyboard (which uses an odd 3 AA batteries), and sometimes I just need to charge two batteries and then one battery

well i'm sure you can but it's not that necessary since there's 6 available batteries. they'd give you enough life to last forever and by the time they're ready for a charge, you've already charged the other 3.

 

[notjustjay]

From the marketing copy it seems as if these are LSD cells. Manufacturer? Who knows. Only when they start getting in the hands of users will we really know.

It's interesting that someone noted that the batteries themselves don't have any kind of Apple logo or branding on them.

 

[lilo777]

Then you either buy two of these for $58 or buy another make (Sanyo, for example) for $18. But I have to warn you - those other makes might do an excellent job, but they are not white plastic and they are not magical at all.

Well, Sanyo is white plastic but not magical

 

[hiptobesquare]

Yes, but the beginning of this rabbit trail was someone saying "Why are the AA rechargeables still NiMH when Li-ion is a better technology?" And the answer we established is that there is NO place you can buy a 1.5-volt, AA-format Li-ion cell. The 18650 comes close, but is still too big and more than twice the voltage. You couldn't stick that in your flashlight or digital camera and expect it to work.

There is also the practical matter that if someone did come up with an AA-cell Li-Ion pack, there would be the danger that you could pop the Li-Ion cell into a "traditional" NiCad or NiMH charger, i.e. something that wasn't specifically set up to handle a Li-Ion cell, and cause damage to the pack or a potential overheat/fire risk.

For those wondering about the Tesla, here's a link with info about its battery pack: http://www.teslamotors.com/roadster/technology/battery

If an 18650 cell is twice the voltage, it would be feasible to include only one of them in an Apple keyboard, mouse, or trackpad. Making them somewhat lighter.

If lithium cells have more mAH capacity, they would last longer than a pair of AA NiMH cells, as well. As long as they aren't over-depleted, which Laptops and iPods, and other devices must already account for in their charging systems, drawing less than 1C from the battery isn't a problem that I know of. Trying to get them to discharge or charge up faster than 1C usually what causes problems, and I don't see that sort of demand on keyboards, mice, or trackpads.

And while I think they should be replaceable cells and somewhat user serviceable, not permanently built in and unreachable without tearing the device down; it is again impetus to make these devices re-chargeable without having to remove the cell from the device.

Otherwise, most single cell lithium batteries are re-chargeable on USB voltage. A charge cradle, or even just a standard USB A to mini B cable could charge them. USB charges lithium batteries in iPods and iPhones already.

Some sort of device cradle arrangement to charge the device(s) via contact pins, or an induction charging system would negate most of the need to actually handle the cells themselves on a regular basis. Only when the lithium cell depletes to the point of discharging quickly, near the end of it's life. AppleStore can do a program to re-cycle the cells... bring in the depleted cylindrical cell, and get a core charge eliminated from the cost of a new replacement cell. Easier than an iPhone battery replacement.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Nice Apple tax on the charger.

I remember getting 8 Sanyo Eneloops AA batteries, 4 AAA Eneloops, 2 C-shell adapters, 2 D-shell adapters, a 4-battery AA/AAA charger that charges each battery individually and a blue plastic tool case to hold it all at Costco for less than this Apple charger. That was 2 years ago.

I bought this (it was $25), i have a pair of AA in my mighty mouse that are shot. I'm lucky these days if they go 2 weeks, and when they first went into the mouse they were lasting months. I have no clue what the deal is, but it is getting frustrating to deal with, it is almost like they aren't charging all the way. Maybe it is the eneloop charger is what is shot?

But I have no clue what my kids stuck the other 6 batteries in.... They were in the wii remotes, but i bought rechargeables and a stand thing to do all 4 at a time for that.

I will probably pick this up because we eat AA's around here.....

 

[Anuba]

Am I blind or is there no mention of the TIME it takes to get a full charge with this thing? It looks neato but I'm not changing to one of those pesky 8-hour thingies after I got a GP that does it in one hour.

 

[tkermit]

I think I'll stick to my trusty 'old' Eneloop charger.

To be honest though, if I hadn't already bought that one, I could definitely see myself getting one of those Apple Battery Chargers.

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

Sounds promising though I'd like to see some real numbers. Im using some rebranded eneloops and they are pretty rock solid. I also have some cheap Energizer's that are going 8 months strong.

 

[Regbial]

well i'm sure you can but it's not that necessary since there's 6 available batteries. they'd give you enough life to last forever and by the time they're ready for a charge, you've already charged the other 3.

Yeah but I also have a magic mouse.. so I would constantly use 5 of the batteries, which leaves an odd one out. being OCDish, I always try to cycle through all my batteries so that they evenly wear out... so being able to just charge one is kind of important for me..

no one knows?

 

[neoelectronaut]

Then you either buy two of these for $58 or buy another make (Sanyo, for example) for $18. But I have to warn you - those other makes might do an excellent job, but they are not white plastic and they are not magical at all.

I actually have an eneloop charger, but it's still annoying to have to pop in a fourth battery every time I want to charge the three the keyboard uses since it only charges in pairs.

I keep an extra battery in my desk drawer specifically to be that dummy battery.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Sucks that I just bought 2 4-bay chargers a couple weeks ago. That's eight batteries for my 2-battery Magic Mouse and 3 for the keyboard. I knew I should have gotten the 2-battery version

What are the prices on these?

 

[milk242]

If this thing charges each battery independently then I'll pick one up to go with my pack of eneloops. I wish eneloops still made those old chargers...

 

[r00fus]

This beats my Powerex MH-C9000 how? Oh yeah, it does not. I don't see cycling, break-in, or refresh and analyze. At best, this is something that you can get at Wal-Mart for 10$.

As to the vampire pull... I unplug mine when done with it and usually put it into my Pelican case. Is it that hard to unplug them when not in use?

I use a LaCrosse Alpha BC-900 myself.

...but my wife and parents would never use that. This allows them to recharge their Apple (and non-apple) batteries and upgrade from disposable alkalines to low-discharge NiMH, without any fuss or muss.

I am glad Apple is realizing the environmental impact of batteries (esp since their peripherals are battery-hungry) and delivering a environmentally safe solution for non-nerds.

No, it doesn't recondition existing ones, but the interface and price quite good. Now I can get them eneloop/hybrio and know their charger will work fine.

 

[Benjamins]

Am I blind or is there no mention of the TIME it takes to get a full charge with this thing? It looks neato but I'm not changing to one of those pesky 8-hour thingies after I got a GP that does it in one hour.

I know, the lack of tech spec on these batteries and charger is kinda strange.

 

[kaheiyeh]

Sigh ... I didn't know this was coming.

I got sick of my Magic Mouse taking so many batteries with it so quickly so I went and bought myself a brand new set of 4xAA Sanyo Eneloops plus wallcharger for A$24.99 at an electronics shop.

And when I wake up the next morning, Apple's selling their new rechargables for A$39.