DailyTech - First Core 2 Duo Mac Tablet Released

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Hardware First Core 2 Duo Mac Tablet Released
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - January 12, 2007 9:01 AM

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20 comment(s) - last by moomb.. on Jan 17 at 2:24 PM

Photo courtesy of AppleInsider

The ModBook is the new official Mac tablet

During MacWorld 2007 this week, a company called Axiotron, Inc. demonstrated a numer of prototype products that it claims to be the first Mac-tablets. Called the ModBook, it is based on Apple's current line of MacBook laptops, and uses parts currently available. Being on display at the event, it also appears that the ModBook is something that Apple does not mind having a third party release.

The ModBook is roughly identical to Apple's currently shipping MacBook laptops, although the units have gone through some obvious modifications. The first is that the ModBook no longer has a clamshell screen. Instead, the ModBook uses a tablet screen manufactured by Wacom -- the leader in digital drawing tablets. This means the screen is sensitive to a high degree in pressure points and the pointing pen used requires no extra battery power.

Everything else about the ModBook remains standard in terms of specifications. Users who wish to make ModBook purchases can select from the same range of ModBooks as Apple offeres in MacBooks.

All functions of the MacBook are kept intact, including the original iSight camera as well as all the ports. The Wacom screen is integrated very nicely into the top of the ModBook and looks like it was manufactured off an assembly line. Craftsmanship appears to be high-quality and the units do look very well built. The screen is incased in aluminum and fits well with the design of the MacBook.

Users can purchase the base configuration of the ModBook for a starting price of $2,279.

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Multitouch Tablet!

By bnme on 1/12/2007 10:01:09 AM , Rating: 2

Lol... notice all the finger prints on their... Imagine a Mac Tablet with the multi-touch capability...

RE: Multitouch Tablet!

By SunAngel on 1/12/2007 10:31:46 AM , Rating: 2

not to be a troll here and not to cause a flamewar, but what is the big deal about fingerprints? i occasionally read comments about fingerprint smudges around the webworld and for the life of me I don't understand the big deal. unattractiveness? this just can't be the justification for making such comments. everyone please respond with your justification if you where to make such comments. thanks.

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RE: Multitouch Tablet!

By TomZ on 1/12/2007 11:27:51 AM , Rating: 2

Surfaces that are prone to fingerprints make the product less attractive, dirtier, and it blurs the display.

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RE: Multitouch Tablet!

By Flunk on 1/12/2007 11:32:16 AM , Rating: 2

Not to mention that they drive some people (Like me) absolutely crazy. Because of this I refuse to buy anything shiney or easily smudged.

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RE: Multitouch Tablet!

By glynor on 1/12/2007 1:30:50 PM , Rating: 2

But...

Isn't that what god invented Windex for?

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RE: Multitouch Tablet!

By MobileZone on 1/12/2007 6:24:30 PM , Rating: 2

Do you trust god enough to "windex" your US$3k new computer's screen with it?

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RE: Multitouch Tablet!

By Locutus465 on 1/12/2007 10:25:05 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Do you trust god enough to "windex" your US$3k new computer's screen with it?

At the risk of angering athiests, but if you beleive in god isn't it the whole point that you would trust him :P

But as it turns out Windex is man and not god made, so there goes the trust factor...

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RE: Multitouch Tablet!

By fxnick on 1/15/2007 9:58:43 PM , Rating: 2

yes, thats what windex is for

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RE: Multitouch Tablet!

By rklaver on 1/12/2007 11:41:08 AM , Rating: 2

....because other tablet PC's don't get finger prints?

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RE: Multitouch Tablet!

By Chadder007 on 1/12/2007 3:02:45 PM , Rating: 2

Use the pen to touch the screen....NOT YOUR FINGER.

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Handwriting Recognition?

By ViRGE on 1/12/2007 3:03:36 PM , Rating: 2

Does OSX even have a good handwriting recognition system? Microsoft had to develop something specifically for the tablet-PC(and Windows Mobile) lines, however OSX has never been put on this kind of a device before. I have to admit I'd be a bit shocked if OSX already came with a good system, since why would Apple develop something they were not going to use?

RE: Handwriting Recognition?

By fk49 on 1/12/2007 3:49:38 PM , Rating: 1

They do actually -
From Engadget:
"...thanks to Apple's Inkwell technology, there's already plenty of pen-based interfacing available in OS X."

Although you bring up a good point in that there wasn't much use for it before.

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RE: Handwriting Recognition?

By Hare on 1/13/2007 3:39:29 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
I have to admit I'd be a bit shocked if OSX already came with a good system, since why would Apple develop something they were not going to use?

Apple has actually had Inkwell for a while. People with pen tablets use inkwell. You don't need a tablet PC for it. I personally know couple of friends who use inkwell.

By the way. Did you know that Apple actually had hand writing recognition on their Newton (1993-1998) pda. Ages before Palms or Pocket PCs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Newton

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RE: Handwriting Recognition?

By moomb on 1/17/2007 2:24:27 PM , Rating: 2

How many Apple Newtons does it take to change a light bulb?

Foux! There to eat lemons, axe gravy soup.

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hottness!

By ksherman on 1/12/2007 10:30:52 AM , Rating: 2

too bad these tablets are always blithering expensive. takes graphic design to new levels :-).

RE: hottness!

By ksherman on 1/12/2007 10:39:40 AM , Rating: 2

Now we need a ModBook Pro! That would be even better. Personally, I am glad that they decided to use the slate format, IMO the only good way to do a tablet. Thinner and more notebook like.

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Touch screen specs

By SuezanneC Baskerville on 1/12/2007 12:29:00 PM , Rating: 2

I went to the company's site and didn't see any specs on the touchscreen. Anyone know the touchscreen resolution and pressure levels?

http://suezannecbaskerville.wordpress.com

Weight?

By ISAslot on 1/12/2007 6:09:24 PM , Rating: 2

How much does this weigh?

Tablet with keyboard....

By tampol on 1/13/2007 10:56:10 AM , Rating: 2

In my opinion, I don't like this tablet from Axiotron (no keyboard and rotating screen).
I'm still expecting a tablet from Apple somewhat similar to Tecra M7 from Toshiba...
Probably won't happen.