Apple today was awarded a patent for a MacBook that would be powered with solar cells (photovoltaics), meaning your laptop could be powered or at least recharged through light.

The patent, titled " Electronic device display module" describes a two-sided display for the lid of a portable computer, such as Apple's MacBook. The front of the lid facing the user would still sport the typical display screen but the rear would serve as more than just a cover.

How is this different from previous notebooks that have been solar powered? Or does running OS X make it unique enough to give it a patent?

"The patent describes a rear plate made of "electrochromic glass" also known as " smart glass" or "switchable glass."

"Electrochromic glass, which is sometimes referred to as electrically switchable glass, may receive control signals (e.g., voltage control signals) from control circuitry," the patent submission states. "The control signals can be used to place electrochromic glass in either a transparent (light-passing) state or a translucent (light-blocking) state."

A sketch of the proposed laptop, which uses an electrochromic glass back panel that can be made opaque or translucent through a small electrical charge. The back panel would have solar cells embedded in it to collect power from light.

In the light-blocking state, the interior of the MacBook's display would be hidden from the exterior view; the rear panel would appear opaque or translucent.

In the light-passing state, the rear panel would appear clear and allow images or other light output from status light-emitting diodes or other light sources, Apple stated."

What is claimed is:

1. A portable computer, comprising: upper and lower housings, wherein the upper housing has a front surface and a rear surface; a hinge connecting the upper and lower housings; a display mounted that forms a portion of the front surface of the upper housing, wherein the display has four edges; a peripheral housing member that surrounds the four edges of the display; and a rectangular plate that is mounted within the peripheral housing member, wherein the rectangular plate at least partially forms the rear surface of the upper housing.

2. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the peripheral housing member comprises metal.

3. The portable computer defined in claim 2 wherein the rectangular plate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: metal, glass, ceramic, fiber composite, and plastic.

4. The portable computer defined in claim 2 wherein the rectangular plate comprises glass.

5. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the peripheral housing member comprises fiber composite material.

6. The portable computer defined in claim 5 wherein the peripheral housing member comprises an opening in which an antenna is formed.

7. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the peripheral housing member comprises an integral shelf structure, wherein the display comprises at least one planar member that is mounted to a first side of the integral shelf structure, and wherein the rectangular plate is mounted to a second side of the integral shelf structure.

8. The portable computer defined in claim 7 further comprising: a clutch barrel that covers the hinge; and a display driver board mounted within the clutch barrel.

9. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the peripheral housing member comprises an integral shelf structure, the portable computer further comprising at least one light-emitting diode mounted on the integral shelf structure.

10. The portable computer defined in claim 1 further comprising a shelf structure that is attached to the peripheral housing member, wherein the rectangular plate is mounted to the peripheral housing member.

11. The portable computer defined in claim 10 further comprising at least one light-emitting diode mounted on the shelf structure.

12. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the display comprises a touch screen having a touch sensor array.

13. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the display has at least one curved corner.

14. The portable computer defined in claim 13 wherein the peripheral housing member has at least one curved corner.

15. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the rectangular plate has at least one curved corner.

16. The portable computer defined in claim 1 further comprising antenna traces on the rectangular plate.

17. The portable computer defined in claim 1 further comprising a camera that receives light through the rectangular plate.

From what I can tell from a brief search online, the idea's been around since about 2010-2011.
So far, none of the major manufacturers have rolled it out into their main lines.
Solar cells built into the laptop lid aren't a new idea, and Apple aren't the first.

If you remember the Apple PowerBook 1400, you could unclip the standard lid cover and insert an image and slip over a transparent cover. Apple even supplied some covers to get you going.

What was interesting is that there were solar panels for that machine. IIRC, they would help top up the gallery when the lid was down. You could not power the machine from it.

It may be that this will allow machines to run using “power nap” (a kind of sleep where things like email, are checked, updates applied etc) without affecting the battery life.