Batteries are one of the components used in laptop computers that can greatly affect availability and the cost of the notebook. A battery shortage in the notebook industry affects all suppliers to some extent, but small notebook makers will get hit the hardest.
DailyTech reported that a fire in LG Chem’s battery manufacturing facility in March severely limited the amount of notebook batteries available for manufacturers. At the time of the fire, Asustek Computer, the maker of the popular ASUS Eee PC, admitted that the shortage could affect up to 40 percent of its Q2 shipments.
IDG News Service now reports that the battery shortage could be over by Q3 2008 according to the head of battery maker Simplo Technology. The Q3 time frame for the shortage to end is good news for notebook makers since it should allow for enough supply for notebooks shipments during the important back-to-school shopping time and in preparation for the lucrative holiday shopping season.
Acer chairman J.T. Wang said at Acer’s investor’s conference, “I think maybe the battery shortage may hurt every brand.” Asustek was the brand speaking doom and gloom in March and Asus now says that it still expects to be able to ship the 5 million Eee PCs that it promised for 2008, but that if the battery shortage hadn’t happened it would have been able to ship more than its 5 million unit target.
Simplo chairman Sung Fu-hsang commented, “The LG Chem problem has had a big impact on supplies, but we're working with customers and they understand.”
Smaller PC makers will feel the brunt of the pinch because the larger notebook makers with more lucrative contracts for the battery makers will get batteries first. This could mean that boutique notebook makers could still have a hard time with battery supply.
While battery technology may serve our current needs for mobile power, many consumers and industry analysts are looking forward to the rise of fuel cell technology. Companies like Sony and MTI Micro have demonstrated working prototypes of portable fuel cell devices that can power a wide range of portable electronic devices ranging from portable GPS units to notebooks.