OWC ships ModBook, 320GB portable drive

Other World Computing (OWC) today announced that it is the exclusive distributor of the Axiotron Modbook, which began shipping to customers January 11th and announced its 320GB Mercury On-The-Go drive. The Modbook is the only tablet Mac solution based on the latest, higher performance MacBook base platform and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. The new Axiotron Modbook Tablet also features built-in GPS. The after-market hardware modification brings true pen input, a new 13.3-inch wide screen LCD and Global Positioning System in a "tough," satin chrome-plated magnesium top shell, while keeping all the powerful features of the MacBook base system. Leveraging the built-in Inkwell handwriting recognition in Mac OS X, OWC is shipping configurations up to 2.2GHz (and other MacBook standard items, including an integrated iSight camera, Bluetooth, 802.11n/g/b Wireless, and the CD/DVD combo or Superdrive).

The slate-style Axiotron Modbook is dubbed the "ultimate companion" for applications and situations, according to the company -- "where a keyboard only gets in the way."

OWC offers Modbook solutions starting from $2,280 in a base configuration which includes 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1.0GB memory, 80GB drive, and a CDRW+DVD Combo Drive. The system includes a 1 year OWC warranty. For $200 more ($2480), customers can order the 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and SuperDrive Dual-Layer DVD/CD burner (and a 120GB drive). In addition, all systems may be custom configured with up to 4.0GB of DDR2 memory and up to 570GB of internal hard disk space.

Axiotron is offering full, hands-on demonstrations of the Modbook in the at the Expo (booth #S-408).

OWC Portable solutions jump to 320GB

The new Mercury On-the-Go portable, bus-powered storage solution offers a 5400RPM drive and and a variety of connectivity options, including FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0, and eSATA. The palm-sized drive is available for $250 and uses the latest highly reliable, high-performance drive mechanisms and interfaced with OWC's custom bridge solutions which feature Oxford 9XX chipsets.

In addition to the 320GB 5400RPM drive, OWC offers the Mercury On-The-Go series with 5400RPM performance in capacities of 120GB to 250GB from $100 and with 7200RPM performance in capacities of 80GB to 200GB from $115.

All On The Go external solutions are available immediately through OWC and other retailers. The drives ship with a carrying case, necessary USB, eSATA, and FireWire 400/800 cables, and Prosoft DataRescue III for OS X and NovaStor NovaBackup for Windows. All Mercury-On-The-Go models are covered by a one-year warranty and are compatible with Apple OS Versions 8.5 through 9.2.x; Apple OS X 10.0.3 and higher (including the latest OS 10.5.x); and Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, Vista.

Filed under: upgrades/storage
Other story tags: tablet, portable storage. MWSF 08