Voltaic Launches Backpack Solar Laptop Charger

Here’s a product that I think might be actually worthwhile, it’s a backpack but it’s a charger and it’s solar! Just walk around like you normally would and your laptop will charge. It says it’s created for adventurers, so I would think it would be fine to take hiking, but then again why would you want to take a laptop hiking? It can be used for charging things other that your laptop though, so it might be worthwhile to take on a trip with you. it says you can run a MacBook Air for 30 minutes with just 60 minutes of sunlight. That’s not a bad ratio, I remember when it was like four hours charging for one hour of use on these types of things.

Voltaic Systems redefines the meaning of mobile computing with the launch of its two new solar laptop chargers, the Array and Fuse 10W. The Array is a rugged backpack and the Fuse 10W is designed to attach easily to other backpacks and bicycle racks. Both provide ample clean and renewable power for the demands of today’s portable electronics.

Created for workers and adventurers who travel far from power outlets, but still need to stay connected, the Array and Fuse 10W provide up to 30 minutes of laptop runtime for every hour in the sun. In addition to powering most modern laptops, they will also charge most tablets, professional digital cameras, and smartphones. When the sun is unavailable, the internal battery holds enough power to more than double the runtime on many laptops. The battery can also be re-charged from the included wall charger.

Voltaic is also launching the V60 Universal Laptop Battery, which provides backup power for laptops, tablets and smartphones.

10 Watts of Power for Fast Charging
Integrated into the front of the Array and Fuse 10W are three 3.4-Watt solar panels. Run times will vary by laptop, but these high-efficiency monocrystalline cells will power a MacBook Air for 30 minutes after 60 minutes in direct sun. The cells are encased in a clear, UV and scratch resistant coating, and backed by a rigid aluminum composite material. These rugged panels are waterproof and built to withstand the abuse of everyday use.

Flexible Charging
The Fuse 10W attaches to other objects including backpacks and bicycle racks using an innovative buckle and clip systems. The front section of the Array is detachable from the main body of the backpack and can be attached to objects the same way as the Fuse 10W.

High Output, Dual-Port Battery
The included V60 battery has 60 Watt hours of capacity, larger than most laptops’ internal battery. It will charge tablets up to twice and smartphones up to 8 times. The battery has two output ports: one for charging laptops and other high Voltage devices and a 5V USB port for charging phones, tablets and other low Voltage devices.

Power for Digital Cameras
Users can connect a car charger cradle for their digital camera battery for DSLR charging.

Full-Featured Backpack
The Array is designed to store and manage a wide range of electronics. It has 1,500 cubic inches of storage space, a padded laptop sleeve, waist strap, chest strap and an integrated phone pouch.

Key features and specifications of the Array ($389) and Fuse 10W ($339) include:
+ 10 Watts solar power – panels available in silver or charcoal
+ 60 Watt hour battery with 5V/2A, 12V/4A, 16V/3.5A and 19V/3A output
+ Charging cables with 5 standard phone and universal adapters and 9 standard laptop adapters to connect to most handheld electronics (MacBooks can be charged with Airline Adapter from Apple and Voltaic’s optional car charger socket)
+ 18″ high x 14″ wide x 8″ inches for the Array and 16.5” high x 10.5” wide x 1.25” wide for the Fuse 10W
+ About 5.5 pounds including solar panels and battery for the Array and 3.6 pounds for the Fuse 10W
+ Flexible ¾” and 1” buckle and strap system to attach to nearly anything
+ Waterproof fabric manufactured from recycled PET

Availability
The Array, Fuse 10W and V60 Universal Battery are available now on http://www.voltaicsystems.com and with select retailers.