Samsung Rolls Out Solar Laptop
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Samsung , which introduced a solar-powered phone in 2009, (the Guru 1107) has rolled out a solar powered laptop for pre-order in the U.S.
Like the Guru, which was geared to the Indian market, the laptop was first rolled out in Africa and Asia (including Russia). It is scheduled to go out to the U.S. market this month. The laptop, model NC215s, has specs that are pretty standard for a 10-inch. It’s the top cover that makes it different -- it contains solar panels that will (Samsung says) offer an hour of use with every two hours of charging.
This is the first big foray into the U.S. for a solar-powered gadget -- reliable power systems (unlike in other parts of the world) mean that Americans usually are near an outlet. But this is quite useful if you don't happen to have a plug handy and are in a bright room or direct sunlight, or in the field where you know you will be away from a power source for more than a day (Samsung claims the battery life is 14 hours).
The computer was scheduled to go on sale July 3, but though Amazon has it for pre-order at $399 there is no shipping date as yet.
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