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E-readers without AC adapters MIGHT be coming in the future
June 28, 2009 | 6:41 am
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By David Rothman
Slash the power needs of the screen and you’ve also reduced those of your e-reader or laptop as a whole.
Mary Lou Jepsen of PixelQi, the display company, has been saying similar things.
And now here’s another wrinkle, which low-powered screens might help bring closer.
What if these lower power requirements also helped make it possible to eliminate AC adapters for laptops and e-readers? Imagine—no power supply to lug around, or get lost. Here are some encouraging words from the Mainichi Daily News:
Fujitsu Laboratories [designer of the current e-readers shown above---which do need adapters] announced Tuesday that the company has developed a new energy-saving transistor.
The new transistor developed by the company, based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, can reduce electricity loss that occurs in the power supply units of computers and other devices to one-third or less of the current level. By downsizing the transistor, the power supply unit can be integrated into the body of laptop computers, eliminating the need for AC adapters. The company is aiming for practical application of the new transistor by 2011.
In computers, the power supply unit converts alternating current into direct current, during which about 30 percent of the electric power is lost as the transistor produces heat.
Keep in mind that the electricity loss issue in the power supply is a different one from the issue of lower power consumption for the e-reader or laptop as a whole.
Still, a more power-thrifty e-reader or other gizmo just might make it easier to take advantage of a smaller power supply.
Related: Radio waves: Future way to help keep e-book readers charged up?
(Via David Farber’s list.)
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Comments:
David,
I don’t know how energy efficient it is, but as far as size you might want to take a look at the power adapter for the Kindle 2. That thing is much smaller than the big power bricks I am used to seeing:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gtB3JrBoL._SL500_AA280_.jpg
So they will be doing the AC to DC conversion within the laptop itself.
So when I have my laptop on my…lap rather than a low voltage DC cord running across my legs I’ll have a live 110/220 AC line rubbing against me.
That ought to make a fraying power cord much more exciting when it zaps your crotch.
I’d just like to get my hands on ANY decently priced reader. Here in Australia they seem to be like the proverbial hens’ teeth – very hard to find. The one or two available are DRM’d to the max and very expensive. Seems crazy when we all read a lot of books.
What are the Fujitsu models shown? And has anyone heard more about the small Bebook model that is supposed to be coming out “soon”? At least we may be able to buy them here – the Kindle isn’t sold at all.
Carol,
If cheap is your criteria, I’d point you in four directions.
1) The ECTACO Jetbook. It is not e-ink, but it is a reasonable compromise in LCD. You can find it from Newegg regularly for $199 and on sale for $169.Not sure about shipping costs to Australia.
2) Regarding the Bebook mini. I don’t know for sure when they will be available, but the US distributor is aiming for mid-August release so I would expect something in the August/September timeframe.
3) If you can live with a smaller screen, you might consider an Ipod Touch. Several different book reading packages are available.
4) If you have a longer time horizon, I expect good things from readers using Pixel Qi’s screen technology. The first devices *might* be out this year. However, my somewhat fuzzy crystal ball says there should be a selection of choices available by August of next year — and definitely in time for Christmas of 2010.