Shooting for a longer run. (Appian Technology's PowerMizer, a new power manager controller chip) (product announcement)
by Alan R. Bechtold

Running out of battery power in the middle of a laptop computing session can be frustrating. It can even wipe out the bountiful benefits of using a portable computer in the first place, which is why so many companies are diligently trying to come up with anything that will extend battery life for portable, laptop, and notebook boo.

Appian Technology's PowerMizer is a new Power Manager Controller chip for laptop and notebook PCs that goes a long way toward achieving the long-life goal. The new chip controls circuits and peripherals during system operation, working in conjunction with Appian's System 90/SX local-bus-based 386SX chip set. Already available to manufacturers, the new chip should start showing up in laptop and notebook PCs soon.