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Show floor video: Axiotron's Modbook wows the crowd

Who said there can only be one big portable computer announcement at Macworld Expo? The long-awaited Axiotron Modbook -- a FrankenMac adaptation of the MacBook into a surprisingly sleek and functional tablet machine -- was originally shown at last year's Macworld Expo and has finally reached shipping status (available starting at $2290). Does the lure of a touchscreen outweigh the siren call of a MacBook Air? Can you get real work done with Ink gesture recognition?

We got a quick demo at the Axiotron booth (video after the jump). For mobile artists, storyboard work or architectural annotations, the Modbook might be just the thing.

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Who said there can only be one big portable computer announcement at Macworld Expo? The long-awaited Axiotron Modbook -- a FrankenMac...
 

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Caleb

People, you keep complaining that it isn't multitouch and doesn't look pretty enough blahblahblah.

It was designed for graphic artists, and is an amazing achievement. It is much better than plugging in an external tablet, and having to look up at the screen as you draw on an external device.

The iPhone was given to the average consumers who want multitouch. This is for the artists that want something better than windows. A pen-based input is much, much better than a multitouch input. You can lean your hand on the screen this way in a more natural position when working in photoshop, and not interfere with your workspace.

January 29 2008 at 1:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Zipples

I ordered this last week, I am expecting it Feb 22nd, Don't hate on this machine, for an artist it is very good.

January 25 2008 at 12:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Wally Rodriguez

In regards to spaces, I have the F8 key mapped to the top of the rocker button on the stylus, so that it can be accessed very quickly. Works well in this setup.

W.

January 22 2008 at 2:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Randy

The Killer Appâ„¢:

ModBook Air combined with SMART Technologies/Interwrite overwriting software. I could take this combo in to my classroom and use it for wirelessly running a lecture (projector w/ wireless adapter) and have the ability to draw on the prepared documents for the benefit of my students! I could also use this combo to have the kids themselves write as well.

I would prefer this combo to have a convertible screen, but I'd be docking it nonetheless for document creation time.

How about it Axiotron, Mod the Air and I'm in. (Of course it'd be nice to get an educational discount on it. :) )

January 22 2008 at 4:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tr

there's another short hands on video at gizmodo about the modbook:
http://gizmodo.com/345214/hands+on-axiotron-modbook-tablet-mac

i was seriously looking at this as my next computer, but pricing it out, it may actually be better to get a a regular macbook, and a wacom cintiq 12WX. sure, you would have to carry both around, but at least you can update the computer in the future.

looking at the modbook coverage on the web, i'm actually more interested in the new version of sketchbook pro that was being demoed, because designers who use intel macs need that app badly.

January 21 2008 at 3:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Simpson

CEO of Axiotron discusses Modbook..

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080117-macworld-ars-modbook-not-destined-to-become-light-as-air.html

January 21 2008 at 11:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Wally Rodriguez

Hello:

I have one of the first ModBooks delivered and can tell you that this machine is pretty much everything I hoped it would be.

It's very solid, doesn't flex at all, even when held with only one hand. The plastic bottom makes it a little slippery, so I ordered a handle for it and since it is a MacBook bottom, some of these aftermarket mods work fine.

I have been using it for about a week now and you can see my comments at:
http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/showthread.php?t=13731&page=1

Apple's Ink needs some work and I hope that the ModBook will help motivate Apple to work on it.

W.

January 21 2008 at 10:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Wally Rodriguez's comment
pop

How how does Spaces work with a stylus and no keyboard? Regular Macbook it's just F8 key or control arrow, but I'd hate to use a fake keyboard to access and/or switch Spaces.

January 21 2008 at 9:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Matt

Personally, I think this is what Apple should have done with the MBA. Thin computer, extremely portable, built for the wireless world. Add touch screen to that, and tablet Mac it would be.
I would also like to get rid of the stylus, but then again, I don't see how using my finger would work on a computer like that.

January 21 2008 at 9:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brychanus

Is it just me or was there a pronounced lag between the movement of his hand and the appearance of marks on the screen in the demo video? Not sure if that's just an underpowered machine or a second-rate tablet/screen.

January 21 2008 at 9:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
krye

Yeh, I think the ModBook is poorly designed. It looks really, really ugly. I hope Apple shuts them down for adulterating their product. I mean, trying to turn a profit by reconditioning someone else's product and selling it as your own? That has to be illegal.

January 21 2008 at 9:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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