Modbook upgraded, now up to 2.4GHz, 160GB

Bummer to everyone who just got their Modbook, what, two months ago? As with the inevitable tide of technology, Axiotron just upgraded the line, bumping the specs to 2.1 or 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo configs with 120 or 160GB drives. The price on the base model stays the same ($2,290), but the new 2.4GHz config will run you $2,480.

[thef1re @ Mar 2nd 2008 4:41AM]

wait...

people actually bought these?

[Amol @ Mar 2nd 2008 4:56AM]

Yeah, because Apple is just too lazy to make one.

[Blaktornado @ Mar 2nd 2008 6:19AM]

And why, exactly, shouldn't they?

It's like going to Dell for a PC over someone like Gateway... except the Dell they bought was a Gateway with modifications... Ok, that didn't work...

But it's basically just a variation of a Macbook and people can buy it if they want that sort of thing... I see no reason to doubt that people would buy one...

[Kelmon @ Mar 2nd 2008 6:31AM]

It's definitely a niche market but one that is there nonetheless. In much the same way as there have been voices in the Apple community asking for a successor to the Newton, so there has been those requesting a Mac-based tablet computer. Obviously Apple decided it wasn't interested in this market but fair play to Axiotron for giving it a try. I wish them the best of luck on this one given the time and effort involved in the enterprise.

[asphixiated @ Mar 2nd 2008 9:59AM]

@Kelmon

successor for the Newton? doesn't the iphone do that?

[Alex Padilla @ Mar 2nd 2008 10:04AM]

@ asphixiated

No. Far from it, unless you jailbreak it, of course.

[Nando @ Mar 2nd 2008 5:07AM]

They're taking a page out of Apple by having constant upgrades.

[Rik @ Mar 2nd 2008 5:55AM]

Hehe, and EG is too lazy to create something like Engadget Apple, just like EGM. C'mon guys people would also start complaining when all the EGM stuff was posted on EG.

[Rik @ Mar 2nd 2008 6:08AM]

Sorry that was meant as a reply for the post above this one.

[Kelmon @ Mar 2nd 2008 6:35AM]

Well, given that the Modbook is a customised MacBook it's practically impossible not to change your specifications each time Apple changes that of the MacBook. Given this, each time the MacBook looks like it is going to be upgraded, wait for it before you buy a Modbook since those updates are going there as well. Same as normal, really, except it will take a few days/weeks longer before those updates filter through to the Modbook. I do, however, wonder what will happen the next time Apple makes a significant update to the MacBook although, given the time since the PowerBook/MacBook Pro was last changed substantially, this could be a while.

[alegria690 @ Mar 2nd 2008 5:38AM]

i finally bought this MBP when my x41 was dropped and died. I choose having a functional operating system over a tablet. I was over seas and out of the loop and missed this but i guess I am glad I didn't buy it now.

[AKBlade13 @ Mar 2nd 2008 8:46AM]

I'm so sorry. That was supposed to be on Nando's reply list. Darn messup.

AKBlade13

[Paulie @ Mar 2nd 2008 12:10PM]

AKBlade13: "I wonder why they haven't renamed it MacBook Write or something like that since the MacBook Air made it possible for the models to have something attached to the "MacBook" name besides Pro."

Since they're not Apple, they'd get smashed with a cease & desist in record time if they used the name "Macbook" for their tablet.

[Jon Doe. @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:24PM]

AKBlade13,

If they aren't Apple3 fanbois why is the MacBook Pro the only laptop to get massive and detailed benchmarks and heat tests posted to Engadget's front page. why is it that Engadget posts when Apple's store is down...do you see this shit on news.com or any other tech blog other then apple specific sites? Engadget itself may not be a Apple fanboi site but there is no doubt in my mind that there are more then a few content contributers who ARE fanbois which reflects on Engadget as being well you know...No Engadget needs to make a new subsite....call it iEngadget or Engadget Fruit or something snappy where the fanbois can go to play, and then someone on the main site posts when MAJOR news breaks like new MBP's released, new iPods released. That shit is newsworthy, not.....www.engadget.com/2007/08/15/yep-the-apple-store-is-down/
www.engadget.com/2007/01/11/apple-macworld-booth-tour/
www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/apple-tv-take-2-update-delayed/
www.engadget.com/2007/06/11/apple-store-down/
www.engadget.com/2007/06/20/youtube-hits-apple-tv-today-headed-for-the-iphone-as-well/

You NEVER see this kind of detailed "reporting" for any other company other then Apple on Engadget, and its damn annoying. No make them their own freaking site and let them play over there and be done with it Engadget. Please?

[AKBlade13 @ Mar 2nd 2008 8:44AM]

@Rik

Engadget

A) are not Apple fanboys by any means

B) do not need nor want(I'm assuming) an Apple Engadget. You can go to http://www.tuaw.com/ for that.

now with that being said, like someone already stated. It's hard NOT for the Modbooks to be modified when the laptops are modified.

I wonder why they haven't renamed it MacBook Write or something like that since the MacBook Air made it possible for the models to have something attached to the "MacBook" name besides Pro.

AKBlade13

[ModBook owner @ Mar 2nd 2008 6:25AM]

Of course if you ordered after March 2007, you are probably still waiting, and will be offered an opportunity to upgrade.

Sadly I doubt the new versions work better than the old versions (despite promises to the contrary portrait mode doesn't work, and neither does bluetooth). They might run cooler though, which would be good.

Disappointed ModBook Owner

[MEAT! @ Mar 2nd 2008 8:25AM]

"Disappointed ModBook Owner"

DMBO? Don't be so hard on yourself.

[Mr. Deeds @ Mar 2nd 2008 7:04AM]

Upgraded parts, but at least the early consumers missed out on the "Upgraded Price", or should I say "down" graded? I say tomato, you say tomato...Oh well, that phrase doesn't work as well on the internet.

[w @ Mar 2nd 2008 8:15AM]

i would definitely like to see more machines running os x.
it's such a great os.
when will apple free their os to another oem?

[Chris McDowell @ Mar 2nd 2008 11:31AM]

Probably never. Apple uses their os to help sell their hardware. Their primary income is not so much from software but from the hardware they sell. Might change one day but I dont think so.

[Jon Doe. @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:08PM]

When hell freezes over sadly. its too bad too since it looks as if Apple is done doing anything really innovative to the shell of their pro line of laptops.

[Tim Dowling @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:04AM]

They actually did 10+ years ago (Power Computer, Motorola, DayStar, etc.). Didn't work out for Apple, so they pulled the plug. I'd be surprised if they took another try at that after it failed the first time.

[Jon Doe. @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:07PM]

Anyone know what keyboard software they are using for the keyboard. I'm trying to hack my copy of Leopard onto mt referb Gateway tablet that I got a couple months ago. The specs closely match what is in a Mac Mini with three exceptions....the Wacom digitizer which there are drivers on Wacom's site for OS X, DL DVD burner that may or may not be compatible, and the audio. for everything else there "should" be drivers for it.
No the question I have is did the makers of the modbook roll their own handwriting recog and keyboard software or are they using that crap inkwell built into OS X that blows like a category 4 hurricane.
*shrugs* Right now I'm just gathering the info. I have a spare 100GB hard drive from a recent MBP upgrade that I can swap into the tablet and play around with. I just need to figure out what to use as a keyboard..other then the tablet build in keyboard that is.

[shawnmos @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:38PM]

If these can run OS X, then why aren't there other PC manufactures offering OS X?

[Wes Palmer @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:55PM]

It's not a PC machine, it's literally an Apple laptop taken apart and fit inside a new casing with a Wacom tablet put in as well.

[N30 G30 @ Mar 2nd 2008 3:14PM]

Some PCs can run OS X (Google: Hackintosh) but the Apple EULA legally prevents PC manufacturers or users to install it other than Apple hardware. Which is a good thing because I wouldn't want Apple to focus on writing drivers or supporting every system known to man. That would lower product quality in other parts of the company.

Unless... They open source everything, but that wouldn't happen anytime soon.

[roach @ Mar 2nd 2008 6:10PM]

Now it sucks faster.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CCHqMENtKkA

[smi1ey @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:18PM]

So I wonder if there's gonna be a bitchfest that requires Axiotron to send out gift certificates to everyone who bought their Modbook prior to upgrade? As in, like what everyone does with Apple? Because you know, 2 months is WAY "too soon".

*sigh*