Axiotron’s ModBook Mac Tablet Computer Ships At Last
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However, one product category Apple has never competed in is tablet computers, but the lone Mac computer product announced at MacWorld Expo 2007, originally projected to ship in April, '07, then June, finally shipped to consumers in the first week of 2008.
Mitigating the delay somewhat, Axiotron sent an email to waiting customers explaining that what they will be getting has some significant enhancements from the originally-announced specification:
First and foremost, in response to significant customer feedback, Axiotron has doubled the Pen Pressure Sensitivity of the tablet digitizer. The original specification of 256 Levels of Pressure Sensitivity is now increased to 512 Levels. Axiotron determined this upgrade was important and something that would need to be done prior to shipping.
Next, through utilization of the latest Micron memory devices, OWC is now able to offer a low profile 2.0GB memory module option for a 50% increase in the maximum memory allowed from 2.0GB to 3.0GB.
The internal hard disk options now include the new Seagate Momentus 7200.2 160GB drive mechanism, a full 60% higher capacity than any Other currently available 7200RPM Notebook drive. A new 250GB 5400RPM Option is also now offered for the highest internal capacity ever and 25% more than offered on a standard MacBook.
Finally, the option of having an additional hard drive replace the standard optical drive is available. This makes it possible for up to 500GB of total internal storage.
Of additional significance, all ModBooks will now be based on the latest Apple MacBookï¿/ 2.0GHz and 2.16GHz models.
None of these changes has resulted with any increase in cost. In fact additional memory and/or a larger hard drive are also standard and costs have been reduced for upgrade options to a larger hard drive and/or more memory.
Not an Apple product, Axiotron Inc's Modbook product, the first-ever fully functional Apple-authorized tablet Mac solution integrates a Wacom digitized pen-sensitive LCD slate-style display with Apple MacBook’s system engineering to create a machine for artists and design-oriented professionals featuring enhanced onscreen writing and drawing functionality.
Designed by El Segundo and Playa del Rey, California based Axiotron’s team of German and American engineers,and exclusively marketed by Other World Computing, MOdbook is actually an after-market hardware modification kit, which allows standard Apple MacBook systems to be converted into slate-style tablet computers with pen-based user input, and is aimed at mobile users, business professionals, artists, students, doctors and other medical personnel, and IT professionals as a solution for applications and situations where a keyboard is cumbersome or gets in the way.
ModBook has a pedigree in Apple engineering, since Axiotron's co-founder Andreas Haas was part of Apple's Newton PDA team prior to the company terminating Newton sales and development. Mr. Haas, now Axiotron's President and CEO, formerly held various management positions at Apple Computer in Europe including Apple's Portable product lines, the Newton Systems Group, and Apple Third Party Product Marketing. His last position at Apple's European Headquarters in Paris, France was Manager of the European Product Management for Professional Desktop and Server Systems heading the European Product Management teams for Desktop and Server products.
“After introducing the product earlier in the year, we have experienced a tremendous amount of positive response to the Modbook as its exclusive modular design and superior functionality provide the best tablet solution on the market for artists and designers,” Mr. Haas said last week. “The Modbook’s recent designation as an Apple-authorized product has allowed us to better meet the needs of our extremely patient customers and we are proud to be able to ship a product that resets the bar for Mac users everywhere.”
In July, 2006, Axiotron announced that following an undisclosed equity investment from OWC in Axiotron, the two companies had formed a comprehensive strategic alliance under which OWC will serve as the exclusive North American sales and distribution aggregate for all Axiotron digital lifestyle products.
Modbook proved the hit of MacWorld Expo 2007, earning OWC and Axiotron a well-deserved Best of Show award, and what the companies claim was the largest Macworld exhibitor draw for a non-Apple, Inc. announcement.
In a nutshell, he Axiotron/OWC ModBook takes a standard MacBook and adds true pen input, a new 13.3" wide screen LCD and an optional Global Positioning System in a tough, satin chrome plated Aircraft-grade magnesium top shell, while retaining all the powerful features of the MacBook base system, complete with Mac OS X and its built-in Inkwell handwriting recognition, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Apple's integrated iSight camera and a CD/DVD combo drive or optional DVD SuperDrive. Modbook’s largest-in-class wide angle 13.3" widescreen display offers wider viewing angles and a higher contrast ratio, resulting in darker blacks and more vivid, saturated colors while maintaining the same resolution and aspect ratio of the original MacBook display. A triple layer of metal plating - nickel over copper and topped with chrome - results in an extremely scratch resistant and aesthetically pleasing surface, and is available in standard satin or optional mirror finish.
ModBook users can draw and write directly on the screen, while the Inkwell handwriting recognition built-into Mac OS X turns longhand scribbling into text input for any application, and also facilitates extended control of the system through gesture recognition.
The Axiotron ModBook is built using the unique digitizer technology from WACOM, the acclaimed industry leader in graphics tablets for professional artists and consumers. The ModBook pen digitizer's qualities include:
• Fast - 133 position updates per second
• Accurate - 20x display resolution
• Sensitive - 512 pressure levels
• Efficient - No batteries required
The included ModBook Digitizer Pen features 2 programmable side buttons plus an eraser, and ships with 3 different types of replaceable pen tips, which if used on the acid etched surface of the Axiotron ForceGlass" offer a wider range of drawing styles and sensations. The Pencil Nib, the most durable nib, is most commonly used in pen tablets and TabletPCs today and provides a very hard and direct drawing feel. The Studio Nib is the default tip in the ModBook Digitizer Pen and essentially a spring-loaded variation of the Pencil Nib, offering a different feel in controlling the 512 pressure levels. The Felt Nib's marker-type material maximizes friction on the ModBook's acid etched ForceGlass" surface, resulting in what is said to be the most paper-like drawing experience.
Requiring no batteries or magnets, the pen always feels light and nimble and due to the radio-based digitizer technology, users can even write with their hand resting on the screen. This technology also allows the cursor to be controlled while the pen is hovering over the screen, providing for an intuitive, mouse-like interface with a zero learning curve.
The concept of tablet computers has long intrigued me. Tablets are also more sociable in meetings, eliminating the stockade of open laptop screen lids that people have to peer around and are a much superior form factor for actual laptop use in terms of ergonomics and body english than conventional laptop computers, as well as for use in cars or for that matter at a desk or table. I also battle flareups of typing pain, while I find longhand writing much less aggravating to my nerves and tendons. I've experimented with OS X Inkwell using a Wacom tablet and stylus, but I find writing on the tablet with output on the computer screen clumsy and counterintuitive. I also have a scrawly hand, and often find it a challenge to decipher my own script, which is not the best for longhand inputting of computer text. My results with Inkwell have been "mixed" to say the least.
However, it seems to me that at least theoretically, writing longhand directly on the computer screen where the text will appear would be a much more satisfactory and probably more accurate mode of input - ergo: the tablet computer, and I would love to get my hands on one of these ModBooks. The downside of course is the cost. I can see businesses or professionals with a particularly compelling need for a tablet computer buying a ModBook, but the expense would be difficult to justify for an individual who would likely not want to use a tablet as their only computer.
An interesting element to the ModBook is that it is the only portable Mac solution that also features an optional built-in Global Positioning System (GPS), a somewhat esoteric capability for many computer users, but one that will have considerable appeal to those who would us their ModBooks in the field (literally) and perhaps to boaters and sailors looking for a Mac solution for computer piloting and navigation. And as the developer notes, with GPS in your ModBook, you’ll never have to ask for directions again.
The Axiotron Modbook GPS Module is based on the SiRFstar III chipset which is claimed to provide faster first location fix times and improved tracking capabilities in challenging urban and outdoor environments.
Both the ModBook's top shell and the interior display frame are built from aircraft quality magnesium alloy, providing robust structural strength along with attractive appearance with its satin textured top shell is plated with chrome over a set of copper and nickel layers. This provides a scratch resistant and aesthetically pleasing surface, while also offering optimum protection against oxidation.
Both the LCD tablet panel and the built-in iSight camera are protected by replaceable "ForceGlass" screen covers made from Chemically Strengthened (CS) glass. Compared to cheaper non-glass-based solutions found in some tablet computers, CS glass is claimed to provide superior optical and aging properties as well as far improved scratch resistance.
The display screen cover is treated on both sides for optimized optical properties. The LCD facing (in)side features an anti-reflective coating to increase light transmissivity for a brighter image. The user facing (out)side is acid treated to achieve an etched surface, carefully calibrated to match the display resolution. This is said to provide a crisp, paper-like writing sensation, while keeping perceived haze and light refractions to a minimum.
The Modbook's "AnyView" LCD panel features wider viewing angles (Horiz./Vert.: 100°/90° vs. 90°/55°) and a higher contrast ratio (500:1 vs. 400:1) for darker blacks and stronger, more saturated, lush colors, while maintaining the same resolution (1280x800 pixel) and aspect ratio (113 ppi) of the original MacBook display. The included ModBook ColorSync profile offers a solid base calibration which can be adjusted or replaced using the Mac OS X Tiger display calibration tools.
While the ModBook utilizes the original iSight camera of the MacBook base system, it is mounted slightly tilted downwards to better frame the face of the user.
ModBook is the only slate-style tablet computer with an internal CD/DVD combo drive, which in addition can be upgraded to a 6x DVD burner with up to 8.5 GB capacity. In combination with its 13.3" wide screen LCD, this also earns the ModBook bragging rights as the "Largest Screen Portable DVD Entertainment System".
Other nice touches include inconspicuous locking points designed into the magnesium top shell that allow the ModBook to be securely placed in optional multi-functional mounts i.e. for use with VESA compatible desktop arms.
ModBooks purchased through Other World Computing (OWC) include a 1 year OWC warranty that can be extended to up to 3 years.
As near as I can evaluate sight unseen, I think I would very much like using a ModBook, and full credit to Axiotron and OWC for picking up Apple's slack in this computer category.
Axiotron will showcase the Modbook again at the upcoming Macworld Expo 2008 (Booth # S-408) with a host of hands-on mini-seminars conducted by renowned comic book artist Kody Chamberlain, Emmy award-winning animator Shannon Tindle, award-winning photographer Caesar Lima, acclaimed architectural designer Matthew Brewster and Cal State Fullerton design professor Bryan Cantley. Additionally, the Modbook’s broad range of application functionality will be highlighted at Axiotron’s in-booth vendor stations featuring representatives from Microsoft, Adobe, Corel, Autodesk, Circus Ponies Software, Edge Health Solutions, GPSNavX™ and Vision Objects.
The Modbook has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $2,290 and is available in the United States and Canada exclusively through Axiotron Authorized Resellers (AAR). The price may be the most formidable hurdle to this machine's market success - about a thousand dollars more than a standard MacBook, as well as presumably several hundred bucks more than the Apple subnotebook MacBook Pro that is widely anticipated to be introduced at Macworld Expo.
For more information about the ModBook, visit:
http://www.axiotron.com
and
http://www.macsales.com/modbook
