Petition Laptops: May we please have a standard charger socket, as on mobile phones, and a small range of standard battery fitments.

Mobile phones now have largely standardised on the micro usb socket. This means that phones are cheaper, as a charger need not be included, and that shipping is cheaper since the boxes can be made smaller. It also reduces waste in the environment.

I would like to see laptop manufacturers also standardise their power sockets, so that I can easily obtain a replacement if mine should be damaged.

Equally, batteries for laptops are very expensive and only last 2-3 years. I cannot see a reason why the manufacturers could not come up with a small, medium and large battery size and fitment that would fit any machine.

If these two items were standardised life would be easier all round.