Apple squeezing PC rivals trying to use lith-poly batteries
updated 08:40 am EDT, Thu June 23, 2011
Apple hurting lithium-polymer supply for rivals
Apple's heavy use of lithium-polymer batteries in MacBooks is making it difficult for other notebook makers to get supply of their own, battery suppliers claimed Thursday. The Mac maker has supposedly secured so much supply that companies hoping to get into ultraportable notebooks in earnest, such as Acer, ASUS, Dell, and HP, are scrambling to find alternate sources. The firms were said by Digitimes to be counting on increased production across southeast Asia.
In Taiwan, demand was such that well-known battery designers Dynapack and Simplo were shipping lithium-polymer as 20 to 30 percent of their batteries this year. Many PC builders are buying them even with a 60 percent price premium over regular lithium-ion packs.
Apple and other manufacturers have been keen on lithium-polymer for the ability to reshape it into custom forms. Regular lithium-ion cells are often limited to cylinders that waste space and dictate a certain size. Their use has been key to Apple slimming down its notebooks without compromising battery life, especially devices like the MacBook Air.
Intel has been pushing for Windows PC manufacturers to imitate Apple through a notebook category it calls the "ultrabook" that would virtually dictate lithium-polymer to work. ASUS' UX21 is one of the first examples.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
Advantage Apple
When you innovate you can get your order in early. Apple additionally has huge cash reserves and can secure huge volumes at advantageous prices. Looks like imitation is gonna come at a price to the wanna-be competitors in the cutting edge arena.