01/07/2009, 4:25pm, EST
Wednesday, January 7th
Hands on with the ModBook Pro: a look inside and out
Axiotron is putting the finishing touches on its second Mac notebook tablet conversion, MacNN got a first-hand look at one of the near-final prototypes. Based on the newest MacBook Pro, the ModBook Pro bears little resemblance to its Apple parent. Gone is Apple's new all-aluminum chassis, replaced by a black machined-aluminum case and a specially-designed glass screen with a slight matte finish. Under the hood, the Apple internals fit snugly in the study custom-made shell.
Unlike Axiotron's previous Mac tablets, the ModBook Pro doesn't look like a conversion. Instead of just replacing the top half of the machine, the company says it chose to build an entirely new machined aluminum case better suited to tablet operation. With the new case comes about 1.5lbs of extra weight, bringing the total to more than 7 lbs, although the company says the final product released this summer come in at 6.9lbs. The Modbook is also heavier on the wallet, with a retail price roughly twice that of the 2.4GHz 15.4-inch MacBook Pro on which it's based. But the company believes that artists, design professionals and others looking for a high-end slatetop will pay a premium for a more powerful work tool.
The pre-production prototypes shown at MacWorld Expo were not functional, but Axiotron's Mark Perlstein says the company is confident the product will ship in May or June. In addition to the case, the Axiotron using its own LED-backlit screen, specially designed for the viewing angles needed by tablet users. Billed as the largest screen available on a tablet computer, LCD panel is covered with Axiotron's "ForceGlass" designed to minimize glare and provide users the feel of writing on paper. The glass is slightly rough to the touch, unlike the smooth glossy screens used on the MacBook. Users can switch from portrait to landscape view using included software.
The "black luster" finish on the ModBook case feels similar to that Apple's notebooks, and seems to resist fingerprints. The seams and corners are smooth and tightly integrated. The matching black plastic stylus is stowed in a discrete slot in the case. The ports are basically the same as the MacBook, except for a three-button "keybar" on the top bezel with an on/off switch, a Mod Key and a handy battery indicator.
The ModBook Pro uses the company's new "Synergy" touch technology which allows users to input data with a pen and type with the keyboard at the same time. Users can pan and zoom with their fingers using an on-screen slider pad, and the device also supports handwriting recognition.
Since the company created the first Modbook in 2007, Axiotron appears to have learned a bit along the way. At least from the outside, the new ModBook Pro appears to be a major step forward in design, looking less like a converted Mac more like a serious alternative for the artists and design professionals.
Filed under: Graphics/Web Design
Other story tags: MacBook Pro, tablet
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ummm ok...
Since Psystar currently has an issue with apple, couldnt this help them out since they are rebranding the apple laptops with the name Axiotron on the cover of the puter?
or...
Purchase a lovely Fujitsu tablet and configure as a hackintosh for 1/3 of the price.
Not really.
There's not much that can be done about reselling a used laptop with a new paint job. It won't be covered by Apple warranty, but since it is REAL apple hardware, there is no breaking of the EULA since you are fulfilling the requirements.
Apple is well aware of this mod and is interested in the sales numbers to see if they should be interested in offering such a product.
Not Even Close
to the Pystar issue.
They are "RE" selling an Apple laptop that's been modified. Apple has made the sale and it's Mac OS X is running on Apple hardware.
then
then it follows psystar could simply buy used mac computers and put one inside a psystar, even non-functional since you can in fact do whatever you want with your computer including upgrading it by replacing processor, memory, hard drive, and eventually all the parts.
Re J-Tanya
Psystar could buy a Mac, gut it, and re-sell it, but that would defeat the purpose of making cheap Mac clones. If Psystar is paying Apple's prices for a Mac and re-selling them for less, Psystar would be losing money on every re-sale. A business model such as that might've flown in 2000, but I imagine that investors would immediately see it's stupidity today.
just to clarify
Axiotron is authorized BY APPLE to do this. You can ask them. They've said as much in podcast appearances. They are not buying used computers and then changing them to the tablet format. That's why there was a year gap between announcement of the original Modbook and finally seeing it hit the store shelves. That's also why there is an incorrect assumption that you're paying extra for used goods. You're not.
just to clarify
Axiotron is authorized BY APPLE to do this. You can ask them. They've said as much in podcast appearances. They are not buying used computers and then changing them to the tablet format. That's why there was a year gap between announcement of the original Modbook and finally seeing it hit the store shelves. Apple changed the requirements for what Axiotron was about to do, and they wanted to stay in compliance, which delayed everything significantly. That's also why there is an incorrect assumption that you're paying extra for used goods. You're not.