Modbook -- Engadget

modbook posts

Axiotron's Modbook goes and Modbook Pro to get projected capacitive screens

by Tim Stevens posted Mar 16th 2009 at 8:24AM

Resistive touch-screens are great when you have a stylus in-hand, capacitive screens offer more finesse when you're going at it with fingertips, and both are about useless when you're wearing gloves (for now, anyway). That changes with the projective capacitive screen, able to offer responsiveness to a bare fingertip and also react to non-conductive objects like styli, and it's that type of screen that Axiotron's MacBook-based Modbook tablets will be seeing in the near future thanks to a partnership with Touch International. Starting next month, Modbook buyers will be able to add a Synergy Touch screen as an option, while those going for the 15.4-inch Modbook Pro will receive one as standard. No word on what this accessory will cost, but we think it's a shame the two couldn't get these things to market before the end of glove season.

[Via Gadgets.TMCNet.com]

Video: Modbook modded in stop motion

by Nilay Patel posted Feb 10th 2009 at 5:44AM

Although Axiotron's Modbook and Modbook Pro look like they're relatively simple creations -- take off the original screen, install touch screen backwards -- we've always assumed the process was much more complicated. Turns out we were wrong -- if this Modservice video from TechRestore is to be believed, a normal MacBook will actually do most of the work for you, as long as you're willing to provide the appropriate high-tech sound effects. Seriously, the DVD drive just reinstalls itself! Video after the break.

Continue reading Video: Modbook modded in stop motion

Axiotron's Modbook Pro: when the Modbook just isn't enough

by Jacob Schulman posted Jan 7th 2009 at 10:39AM

While we sit around twiddling our thumbs waiting for Apple's rumored resurrection of the Newton, we'll occupy ourselves with the latest 3rd party Mac tablet -- the Modbook Pro. Based off a 15-inch unibody MacBook Pro, the Modbook Pro has all the same ports as the standard model (including the ExpressCard/34 slot), supports both pen and touch input, and has a glossy black shell. Axiotron pre-installs Quicktouch software to aid those with fat fingers, and the screen is totally flush. However, nobody said that function came cheap -- the Modbook Pro starts at $5k, but there's a $400 discount available for Macworld.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Axiotron tweaks Modbook for better, stronger, faster performance

by Darren Murph posted Dec 5th 2008 at 2:40AM

Axiotron has the upgrade bug again, and it's making a litany of small, useful improvements to its Modbook that add up to a seriously improved machine. For starters, the rig now has a new hardware controller board for improved sleep, battery and system performance. Moreover, a fresh bonding process for the AnyView LCD panel and paper-emulating ForceGlass screen cover results in a "better contrast ratio, a firmer etched drawing surface, and decreased parallax between pen tip and cursor." Also of note, the updated beast incorporates the company's QuadCoat process, which protects the top shell with a liquid metallic coating and decreases the weight to 5.3-pounds. The Modbook starts at $2,249 by itself, or users can convert their non-aluminum Core 2 Duo-based Macbook into one starting at $1,299.

Axiotron Modservice takes your sad, disused Macbook, converts it into swanky new tablet

by Laura June posted Oct 28th 2008 at 9:47PM

If you happen to have a spare MacBook lying around, and you're at all intrigued by Axiotron's ModBook tablets, you'll probably be stoked to hear that the company is now taking orders on their website to convert personal MacBooks into the devices. Prices start at around $1,300 -- far less than buying a new one, which go for a base price of $2,290. Modification kits are being sent out to a network of authorized modders, the nearest of which will contact you once you place your order to set up an appointment for the so-called "transformation." You're totally out of luck, however, if you were looking to have your brand new, aluminum MacBook "transformed" because they're apparently "too cool" to submit to the keyboard denuding-degradation Axiotron requires. As if.

[Via Notebooks.com]

Modbook upgraded, now up to 2.4GHz, 160GB

by Ryan Block posted Mar 2nd 2008 at 4:19AM

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.

Axiotron Modbook tablet Mac hands-on

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jan 15th 2008 at 6:28PM

Live from the heart-pounding, pulse-racing showfloor of Macworld 2008, we bring you a full frontal hands-on of Axiotron's long-awaited Modbook -- the MacBook tablet conversion. After all the waiting and wondering, we're not totally blown away by the end result, though if you're an artist or designer, this could be a real boon to your productivity. The build is sturdy, and the screen feels solid beneath your stylus (stylus only that is -- no touchscreen here), though the pressure sensitivity seemed to give out at really soft touches... of which there were many. Check the gallery and see for yourself.

Gallery: Axiotron Modbook tablet Mac hands-on

Axiotron finally ships Modbook OS X tablet

by Evan Blass posted Jan 1st 2008 at 10:10AM

Welcome to 2008, readers, and if Axiotron's announcement that its long-awaited Modbook is finally shipping -- several weeks ahead of schedule -- is any indication, it looks to be a good year indeed for consumer electronics fans. First unveiled nearly a year ago at Macworld 2007, the MacBook-based, Wacom-modified Modbook has definitely seen its share of delays, although in the days and months since, the 13.3-inch slate has gained the distinction of being one of the few pieces of non-Cupertino, Apple-approved hardware. The world's first OS X tablet can be yours immediately starting at $2,290.

[Thanks, Chris]

Is Axiotron's ModBook actually about to ship?

by Joshua Topolsky posted Dec 26th 2007 at 7:33PM

For a device which has lived solely in the hearts and minds of hopeful buyers for such a long time, the ModBook has certainly seen its fair share of news. The latest dispatch comes in the form of a letter from the "Other World Computing Team," marketers for the Axiotron-made tablet Mac, detailing expected shipment dates and new configuration options which are being made available. If you believe what you read, actual ModBook hardware will be shipping to buyers starting January 11th -- of course, they've been claiming a ship date for about a year, so we recommend you take this one with a hefty grain of you-know-what.

ModBook gets free upgrades for pre-orderers, to ship soon

by Conrad Quilty-Harper posted May 27th 2007 at 4:32PM

The modders behind the ModBook -- the first Mac tablet -- certainly know how to satisfy their customers. In an email to let those that pre-ordered know that their machine could be shipping to them by the end of June, the OWC guys announced that they've upped the sensitivity of the tablet's screen to 512 levels, from 256. We're not artists (IANAA?), so we're not sure if it'll make the ModBook viable as a replacement for your Wacom, but it can't hurt. They're also including the option of replacing the optical drive with a second hard disk for up to 500GB of storage, and the option of selecting an addition gig of RAM for up to 3GB built-to-order. The extra memory option ain't that impressive -- it'll deny the machine the benefits of dual rate speed that comes from matched pairs -- but the 500GB will no doubt make the torrent junkies happy. Alongside these build to order options, the ModBook now comes with specs identical to the recent MacBook updates, so you'll get an extra 160MHz, some more RAM, and some more disk space, free of charge. Not bad for a tablet that isn't even out yet.

Axiotron's ModBook: distributed by OWC, tolerated by Apple

by Paul Miller posted Jan 9th 2007 at 7:08PM

Since Apple is a bit too busy making teh sexay phones, OWC and Axiotron are taking up the slack with their new ModBook, which hacks up MacBooks and turns them into glorious slate-style tablet computers. The duo didn't cut many corners, either, since their MacBook mods hold onto most of those original specs, plus add in an optional built-in GPS module, and of course that Penabled Wacom digitizer. Pen input runs at 20x display resolution, with 256 pressure levels and zero battery use, and the MacBook's LCD is protected with some Chemically Strengthened glass, complete with a paper-like texture and anti-reflective coating. The ModBook is also shielded by aircraft grade magnesium alloy, with a copper and nickel layers for scratch resistance. Thanks to that slot-loading MacBook drive, the ModBook is apparently the only slate-style tablet computer with a built in CD/DVD drive, making it a nice option for portable DVD playback use. The ModBook is relying on Apple's Inkwell technology and other OS X enhancements for tablet functionality. Naturally, they're not exactly giving these things away, but the prices still seem reasonable for what you're getting: $2199-$2699 pre-order pricing for the "Good," "Better" and "Best" options. The latter two feature GPS, but if you pre-order now you can get it tossed into the low-end version as well. No word on an exact ship date, but it sounds like it won't be until March, April or later.

Mac tablet at Macworld -- it's not what you think

by Paul Miller posted Jan 4th 2007 at 1:10PM

Who knows what Steve Jobs and co. have in store for us next week at Macworld, but we'd be pretty damn floored if they trotted out a Mac tablet for the awaiting hordes. But never fear, it looks like OWC and manufacturing partner Axiotron are stepping in to fill the void with what they dub the "ModBook, the first ever Mac® tablet computer solution." While we'd have to take issue with the claim of first, since resourceful hackers have been modding up their own Mac laptops into tablets for years now, but the fact that these two companies are bringing the slate-style notebook to the masses for what we presume is a high but attainable price point is plenty noteworthy. The touch input comes courtesy of WACOM, and thanks to Apple's Inkwell technology, there's already plenty of pen-based interfacing available in OS X. Axiotron and OWC also managed to stuff a GPS option into their ModBook, for even more good times, but unfortunately that's all the info we've got so far. We'll be finding out more when the computer is officially unveiled on January 9th at Macworld.

[Via TUAW; thanks Matthew H]