14 DAY TRIAL // MacBook Air owners, QuickerTek has released the Apple Juicz, a device that uses solar cells to power up your ultra-thin Apple notebook. It folds neatly but costs quite a lot. An additional hundred bucks are also required for a modified MacBook adapter.
"The solar cell represents the ultimate in flexibility. No power source is required except for the sun - great for anyone who likes the outdoors," says QuickerTek. While not many MacBook users spend that much time outdoors as to be able to fully recharge the device, the company also notes that "a very cool Element backpack is included which stores both your MacBook and the Solar Cell. This might be the ultimate gift for a college student," says QuickerTek. "Think of being on the campus lawn using the Mac without ever running out of battery power."
Apple Juicz models range from US $500 to $1,000, and offer 6 to 10 more hours of battery life for your MacBook Air. The flexible thin-film solar cells will charge the MacBook Air in five hours. There are three different solar panels. Here are your options:
- 18 watt model, $500, recharges the MBA in 14 hours, unfolds to 30.5?30 inches; - 27 watt model, $600, recharges the MBA in eight hours, unfolds to 41.5?30.5 inches; - 55 watt model, $1000, recharges the MBA in five hours, unfolds to 60?42 inches; - not get one and take a vacation somewhere nice.
If you are planning to get the $1,000, five hour recharge, 60?42 inches unfold, don't forget that QuickerTek's solutions also involve a modified MagSafe adapter with an inline connector that plugs into the Apple Juicz. The company either modifies your own, or sells you an already-modified one. The choice is totally up to you. To modify a customer's adapter, QuickerTek charges $25. A new, modified MagSafe power adapter costs a round $100. The company also assures users adapters are not damaged. QuickerTek even strengthens the MagSafe adapter at its end while applying the modifications, as it is "prone to fraying and damage."
Having gone for the SSD version of the MacBook Air, your final computing endorsement (on the go) will be around $5,000. All you have to ask yourself at this point is whether you are that big of a geek. So, even though solar power solutions are clearly the cleanest and greenest way to go, they're still too expensive for most people to afford.
More information on the Apple Juicz for MacBook Air is available here.
