Have confirmed that the Micron Go-Book is in fact a lithium ion battery pack, not a lithium polymer book. Company hopes/expects to have lithium polymer battery in fall 1998.
Product itself is, as has been posted earlier, an "add-on battery pack or dock", and consists of 21 lithium-ion cells put together in the shape of the bottom of the laptop, and attaches to the laptop. Principal advantage is that the metal jacket which surrounded earlier prototypes has been eliminated (hence eliminating some weight). Total weight of base station is 2 lbs 4 oz and base station provides >8 hours of battery life. Internal workings of computer add another >3 hours of battery life, for total life of 11 hours. Total package provides, I believe 10.8 volts, 7000 watts and weighs ~ 6 lbs.
Motorola is the supplier and, of course, Valence is not the battery subcontractor, since li- ion not li polymer is being supplied.
My personal speculation, however, and this is only speculation at this time - is that Valence will be the supplier of the li polymer version of this battery in the fall. Agree with Wm Sharp's post # 2696 - LITH is not expected to produce until 1999 and ULBI, now in the midst of a roadshow for a financing, would sure as heck announce the contract if they had one. But its volume of 2,600 shares in the midst of a talk in NYC indicates to me that they haven't the contract.
Upshot: I think Valence will ultimately sell the li polymer batteries in Q3 and Q4 to Motorola/Micron... |
