How would you like the option of using your MacBook without ever needing to plug it in for charging? Voltaic has posted details on how to do this. The setup requires Voltaic’s own 15 Watt Solar Panel and HyperMac’s 60 Watt external battery.
The magic happens with a 5.5x2.1mm plug. This is the power input to the HyperMac and also the output from the circuit box that connects the 15 Watt Solar Panel.
One weakness of this solution is that the HyperMac’s charge indicator is on their AC charger, not their battery. You’ll have to assume that the solar panel is charging the battery and monitor the charge level on the battery.
Voltaic says you can get around 45 minutes of runtime for every hour in the sun for a 13” MacBook, much less for larger screen units. There is even a way in their guide to use the HyperMac to power your MB while it’s charging.
The 60 Watt HyperMac battery is $170, and Voltaic’s 15-watt solar charger is $200; not a bad price to take your MacBook “completely offgrid,” as long as it’s a sunny day.
(photo courtesy of Photo Giddy’s flickr stream)
[via Cult of Mac]
