Sonata technology set to triple charge longevity in HP notebooks

by Stevie Smith - Dec 11 2008, 13:00

Massachusetts-based technology start-up Boston-Power Inc. has this week signed a potentially multi-million dollar deal with computer manufacturing giant Hewlett-Packard to provide notebook systems with battery technology that offers significantly improved charge performance and are markedly kinder to the environment.

In terms of enhanced performance, Boston-Power claims its Sonata lithium-ion battery technology will deliver “like-new performance” for up to 1,000 charges via HP Enviro Series batteries before needing to be replaced, which is around two to three times more than conventional notebook batteries.

While obviously carrying green credentials thanks to cutting down on the amount of exhausted cells that are ultimately discarded or recycled, the Sonata technology also provides an impressive ecological focus because it contains no heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium or mercury, according to Boston-Power founder and CEO Christina Lampe-Onnerud.

The Sonata technology is expected to be available in early 2009 and will be priced at around $20 to $30 USD more than standard notebook batteries (which range between $100 to $160 USD). However, it’s safe to say that any extra cost facing consumers is certainly offset by the resulting benefits associated with prolonged performance and environmental consideration.

According to Lampe-Onnerud, the company’s industry vision since starting in 2005 has been created on the back of core staff that share, “lots of love for the environment, and a passion to make a change.”

“Consumers depend on their notebook computers as much as they do because they enable mobility – whether being used for leisure or work activities,” explained Lampe-Onnerud in an official release trumpeting the HP deal.

“To truly empower users with that type of flexibility, batteries have to last longer and provide more dependable performance. Sonata delivers these benefits while staying true to Boston-Power’s commitment to environmentally sustainable products.”

Boston-Power hopes to see the green vision and improved performance of its Sonata technology expand beyond notebook systems into everything from portable electronics, hybrid cars and scooters.

Around the Web