[gargoiler00]

My first laptop was an Amstrad PPC512 in the mid 80s - almost 30 years ago. I'm still not convinced batteries have come that far since then.

I'm actually thinking of going back to my nokia which has a battery that lasts a week on standby. Compared to modern smartphones which last a day.

You're right though - Inefficient bloated buggy software is becoming the driving force for requiring more power from batteries - going back to my original point - I don't want software running my car.

Agree to disagree eh

[lutusp]

> I'm still not convinced batteries have come that far since then.

Then you're suffering from evidence immunity:

http://www.akbars.net/images/battery%20energy%20density.png

The above graph shows that batteries have improved enormously in the past 30 years -- they now have more than twice the energy density they had then. There are few products that have improved so dramatically. And more improvements are in the pipeline:

http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/new-lithium-ion-b...

Quote: "Breakthrough lithium-ion battery can recharge 1,000x faster than current tech"

> Agree to disagree eh ...

This is not a matter of opinion. It's a matter of fact.

[jccooper]

"I don't want software running my car."

Too late. Every car since about 1993 is entirely reliant on electronic computers, and many were even in 1980. Most of them reprogrammable, though usually cumbersome to do so.

[jccooper]

"I don't want software running my car."

Too late. Every car since about 1993 is entirely reliant on electronic computers--and many were much earlier. Most of them reprogrammable, though usually cumbersome to do so. Changing software during service is common these days--and the dealer may not even bother to mention it.

Tesla's use of software is pretty normal. Go sit in BMW 5 series, or a Ford Focus. All soft interface. Tesla's is just nicer, and not afraid of taking advantage of the fact that everything is software already.