HP to use next-gen Boston-Power Sonata batteries for notebooks

Boston-Power announced HP will start offering its Sonata battery on some of its laptops in early 2009. These new batteries from Boston-Power feature a new type of li-ion battery cell that should be safer and much better performing than current li-ion batteries.

The startup, which was found in 2005, claims its Sonata batteries deliver twice the battery life of current batteries and recharge in only 30 minutes. Furthermore, the firm also promises its batteries will work "like new" for three years - that's triple as long as current li-ion batteries.

Boston-Power’s next-generation Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cell, Sonata, will be available first to HP customers as an upgrade option. The result of a three-year relationship between Boston-Power and HP, the announcement underscores the companies’ shared commitment to fueling innovation in battery technology while bringing notebook PC users products that exemplify a respect for the environment.

Sonata delivers like-new performance for three years. Consumers will be able to purchase the optional HP notebook batteries with Sonata technology for use with select HP consumer notebook PCs in early 2009.

In addition to setting a new benchmark in notebook PC battery technology, HP Enviro Series program notebook batteries with Sonata technology will come with a three-year warranty – the longest battery warranty available from any notebook PC provider.

“Consumers depend on their notebook computers as much as they do because they enable mobility – whether being used for leisure or work activities,” said Boston-Power Founder and CEO Dr. Christina Lampe-Onnerud. “To truly empower users with that type of flexibility, batteries have to last longer and provide more dependable performance. Sonata delivers these benefits while staying true to Boston-Power’s commitment to environmentally sustainable products. We’re thrilled to be teaming with HP to bring Sonata to market.”

“HP is known around the world for delivering breakthrough technologies and meaningful innovation to consumers,” said Jonathan Kaye, director of consumer notebooks at HP. “By partnering with Boston-Power, we are able to offer our customers batteries with a longer lifespan and help reduce the amount of technology waste in landfills.” Initially targeting notebook PCs, Sonata’s ‘drop-in’ form factor enables it to be used with existing notebook computers. This means that HP customers with compatible PCs can purchase Sonata-powered batteries to replace their existing batteries or use as a spare on long trips or plane flights. No system changes are required.