 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.
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