Ever since the Newton came — and go — in the 1990s , a small but outspoken group of Mac user have clamor for a tablet Mac . At least to this point , Apple has shown no interest in mystify into the pill business . So it ’s up to third parties to issue forth up with a product that may finally check the level of need for a Mac tablet reckoner .
AxiotronandOther World Computinghave teamed up to offer the first Mac pad of paper computer — which they ’ve dubbed the ModBook . This pen - sore Mac comes without a keyboard or mouse ; instead , special hardware and software allow you to control the tablet via a style . The ModBook wo n’t transport until April , but I commence my hand on an early applied science sample , and , after using the pad for a few day , I can share what I ’ve learned .
My observations are found on a pre - production manakin — many electronic , software , and cosmetic change can and will be made before the ModBook ’s April outlet . However , the eyeglasses listed below are as they ’ll be in the shipping version .
What it is
only put , the ModBook is a line of descent Apple MacBook that ’s been given a radical makeover by Axiotron ( and sell exclusively by OWC ) . As such , the guts of the scheme are basically the same as the MacBook . Each ModBook is built to society , so you ’re grease one’s palms a complete system . In other Holy Scripture , you wo n’t be able-bodied to buy a kit to make over your own MacBook into a pad , and OWC wo n’t change your current laptop into ModBook form .
For $ 2,279 , you get a 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo processor , GMA 950 graphic , 512 MB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM , a 60 GB 5400 - rpm operose drive , a Combo Drive , Apple Remote , and AirPort and Bluetooth . A ModBook with a 2GHZ processor , 1 GB of RAM , an 80 GB hard drive , a videodisk - burn up SuperDrive , and build - in WAAS - enabled GPS receiver bumps the price to $ 2,579 . And $ 2,849 catch you the same 2GHz organization , but with 2 GB of RAM and a 160 GB hard effort . ( There ’s alsoan introductory specialfor those who pre - reserve by February 1 , 2007 . ) All system include a one - class OWC warrantee ; you may purchase two additional year for $ 349 for the base model , and for the same $ 249 cost as AppleCare for the other configurations . And you ’ll be able-bodied to customize your ModBook just as you would when order a MacBook from Apple .
consider that MacBooks equipped with 1.83GHz and 2GHz CPU sell or $ 1,099 and $ 1,299 respectively , what does that extra luxurious or so get you ? A completely remodeled computer that live from this …
… to this :
Axiotron take out the top of the MacBook — including the showing — and replaces it with a bezel made of an aircraft - grade magnesium alloy ( it has a flatware , MacBook Pro look to it ) . In home of the MacBook ’s LCD screen goes a new display with the same 13.3 - column inch size and 1,280 - by-800 pixel resolution as the archetype . But there are several cardinal differences between the displays . The Axiotron ForceGlass covering the ModBook ’s show is chemically strengthened and etched to ameliorate longevity , scratch underground , drop a line sensation , and reflection trouble . The Modern filmdom has a 500 - to-1 contrast ratio versus 400 - to-1 on the MacBook , and it boast a wider viewing angle than the MacBook .
Even with this rejiggering , the ModBook weighs in at 5.2 pounds — the same as the MacBook . The pad of paper is about .08 inches thicker than its laptop counterpart . Since the bottom half of the ModBook is a MacBook , the ports are the same . The ModBook has a MagSafe power port , Gigabit Ethernet port , Mini - DVI output connection , one FireWire 400 embrasure , two USB 2.0 ports , combined optical digital audio input / audio recording line in , combined opthalmic digital audio output / headphone out , built - in verbaliser , and a certificate expansion slot .
Even though there ’s no covering for the screen , it seems sturdy and impregnable , but you ’ll credibly desire to get a sleeve for it . On the preproduction role model I used , I could n’t splay the image on the ModBook ’s showing from landscape to portrait mode — Apple ’s built - in hardware support screen rotation for extraneous displays , but not interior ace . But Axiotron is working on a package while that should remediate the situation by the meter the ModBook ships .
What lies beneath
As notable as the revamped display may be , the conjuration come about underneath where Axiotron has mount a Wacom Penabled Technology sensor . The sensor has a resolution 20 times that of the display with lay updated 133 times per second ; it features 256 levels of press sensitiveness . ( In direct contrast , Wacom ’s high - endCintiq tabletshave 1,024 level of sensitivity and up to 1,600 - by-1,200 pixels of resolve in a 21 - in display ) . It ’s this sensing element that really makes the ModBook a tablet Mac .
The ModBook admit a pen ( stylus ) that is powered by the tablet ’s analog-to-digital converter board — it does n’t require a battery of its own , and only “ activates ” when you bring it within an inch or so of the display . The penitentiary has two programmable side button and an “ eraser ” on the back , and the bottom allow for of the ModBook has a time slot for holding the penitentiary when not in use . put the pen in the slot turns the digitizer add-in off to prolong shelling life ( although it does n’t put the ModBook to slumber ) . Other Wacom pens should work with the ModBook , cater they ’re using the same technology as the ModBook stylus . ( Not all Wacom pens do . )
Also under the cowling and out of pot is the ModBook Controller Board , which is like the motherboard for the ModBook division of the computer . It uses USB 2.0 as its home organization bus and as its interface with the MacBook itself . It check power management and ties together the ModBook ’s components with the office of the underlying MacBook .
Front and center
During the modern process , Axiotron does n’t discard the MacBook ’s construct - in iSight camera when removing the top of the MacBook . Instead , the company integrate it into the intent by installing it in the same nub - mounted location as Apple does . The front of the ModBook features two buttons at the far left — the ModKey , which will readjust the ModBook Controller Board without the indigence to re-start the data processor , and the world power Francis Scott Key , which works like the power button on the MacBook .
Next to those buttons , you ’ll find three color position indicator lights : a green light on top for the digitizer card brightens when it detects the playpen ; the midsection ( blue now , though it may be yellow on the final reading ) express that the ModBook Controller Board is working ; and the bottom red twinkle show the position of the GPS faculty .
That ’s right — some ModBooks poser will let in an internal Global Positioning System ( GPS ) module . A menu point displays longitude and latitude . Because the ModBook ’s intragroup module uses standard protocols , it will also function with software such asRouteBuddy($100 ) andMacGPSPro($50 ) . And Axiotron told me it should also operate with any Windows GPS software package ply on ModBooks that useApple ’s Boot Campto set up Windows . Because of the GPS mental faculty , and the fact that the ModBook ’s metallic element case blocks wireless signals , the top of the case has two areas in matching MacBook plastic , underneath which Axiotron places an array of antennae for Wi - Fi , Bluetooth , and — on models that include the module — GPS .
Using it
As the owner of a white MacBook Core Duo/2GHz , my few day with the ModBook felt oddly familiar and also just strange . The simple human action of carrying it around , cradle in my arm like a baby , palpate quite dissimilar from walk around with my MacBook resting on my medallion . Yet at the same meter , the ModBook ’s free weight and size of it felt right in my hand . The tablet emphatically got pretty quick with use , but no more so than my regular laptop computer .
I ’m not a tablet PC user ( they ’re PCs , after all ) , so I ca n’t instantly compare the ModBook to theWindows - base products out there . But I can apportion my experiences as a user of the production on which the ModBook is built . ( To see a video of me using the ModBook , click here . )
A new twist on typing
One mode to input text edition in the ModBook is to utilize the Ink handwriting recognition technology progress into OS X — here ’s the Ink preferences pane .
The most obvious difference between the ModBook and a criterion MacBook is the manner you input information into the computer . There ’s no physical keyboard ; unlike with some tablet PC , the screen does not tack over to reveal a keyboard . So all typewriting , navigation , and other comment must be done using the pen . The CRT screen is n’t touch sensitive , so you may rest your hand on it while using the playpen without feign anything , but that also means the ModBook is useless without the penitentiary . ( Replacement playpen will be available , though pricing has n’t been set yet . )
Of course , at its core , this tablet remains a MacBook . So if you want a keyboard and mouse , you may plug your input devices into one of the USB ports on the side or expend the ModBook ’s build - in Bluetooth technology to link wireless input signal machine . I can easily envision a frame-up where the ModBook represent almost like an all - in - one iMac at home or at work , with only a keyboard and black eye on the desk next to a mounted ModBook , and then becomes a free roaming tablet for road trips .
But how does information comment work if you rick to the style ? There are two way of life : hand recognition and an on - concealment keyboard .
The ModBook ’s Write Anywhere feature let you bug out writing on the screen — when you pause , whatever you input gets sent to the active applications programme .
The handwriting capability draws upon the hand recognition applied science built into OS X : Inkwell . It work in two ways . you could bestow up a windowpane in which you write using the playpen ( either by choosing Show Ink Window from Ink ’s computer menu - bar item or select Show Ink Window in the Ink preference pane ) . After you ’re done committal to writing , you may wait for your scribble to be translated , right anything that did n’t translate the right way , and press Send to shift it over to the combat-ready app . I find this method prosperous than the other approach , the Write Anywhere feature of speech ( activated in the menu - Browning automatic rifle item or with the Allow Me To Ink In Any software option in the Ink preferences ) . Write Anywhere Lashkar-e-Taiba you start writing on the screen ; when it senses a pause , it ship the input to whatever app you ’re in . Write Anywhere does n’t circumscribe you to writing in a specific windowpane , but it does n’t give you the same ability to desexualise up your text before transfer it to the active software .
To make thing easy , the Gestures tab of Ink ’s preference give you shortcut for Cut , Copy , Paste , Tab , Space , Return , Delete , and other commands . These gestures are odd curlicue , but wiretap on one displays an animation of drawing it out so at least you’re able to see how a gesture works .
In the Ink druthers pane , a Gestures tab show you how to make commands with the built - in script recognition technology .
you could also input school text through an on - covert keyboard such as OS X ’s built - in Keyboard Viewer . Although tap out judgment of conviction one varsity letter at a clip is more jail cell phone than computer , I achieved more exact typing than I did with the ModBook ’s script realization , which made for fast overall stimulant . And there are third - party practical keyboards that make data entering even easier . AssistiveWare ’s $ 59TouchStrokesand $ 299KeyStrokeswere both loaded on my test unit , and they extend many improvements over Keyboard Viewer ( notably , customization and Christian Bible prediction ) . It is n’t decipherable yet whether either of these apps will transport on the ModBook , but Axiotron told me it does plan to bundle some software with the last product , so a good practical keyboard is n’t out of the question .
Having external input devices may be a utilitarian crutch for users acclimatize themselves to a ModBook . preserve in creative thinker the fact that my building block is n’t quick to transport yet , I had a strong time accurately typing in the short metre I had to play with the ModBook . I ’m sure with more practice , I ’d get better , but it ’s a major transition . Using it reminded me a act of Palm OS - establish PDAs , with their script realization and virtual keyboard .
Where it shines
After a few days using a ModBook , the idea of writing lengthy einsteinium - mails or Word documents is still daunting . In time , I could see myself getting used to such a equipment , but it ’s worth pointing out that extensive text - debut is n’t what the ModBook is intended for . Rather , this is a twist aim squarely at originative pursuits .
Using the pen in Photoshop and other graphics apps was much more pleasurable than scrabble down Word of God into a text editor . Anyone who uses a artwork tablet with such apps should have little fuss adapting to the ModBook . And that ’s really who ’ll delight this product the most — this is definitely not a Mac for everyone .
Watching a DVD was a joy . With the screen taking up most of the front control surface , it was like watching on a portable , detached LCD display . I was able to balance the ModBook on my desk and ride back and catch . That ’s not an ideal setup , apparently , but it ’s deserving noting that Axiotron has ramp up several bestride item into the shield for economic consumption with succeeding add - ons . ( At Macworld Expo , presentation units were attached to a VESA - compatible Kiosk Mount . Axiotron is also work on a Desktop Mount with a ready waiver to install on a VESA arm and a Travel Mount with a fold - out stand to prop up the ModBook on a desk or bestride it to the back of a seat ; a Tabletop Easel similar to Cintiq stand up is in the provision stages . )
For videodisc watching , the screen was bright and crisp . Because the speakers no longer have to bounce their output off the MacBook ’s screen , I found the strait to be quite good . The viewing slant when moving my straits side to side was also respectable , but I was n’t as impressed with the upright viewing angle ’s color and contrast shifts .
The last word
The ModBook is not designed for the masses , but that ’s incisively why Apple has n’t made a tablet Mac . Because each ModBook is assembled when ordered , Axiotron can leave a product we ’re not likely to see from anywhere else . And those who buy one with its strength and limitations in mind will have the unique experience of run OS disco biscuit on a Mac like nothing ever made by Apple .
[ Jonathan Seff is aged news editor forMacworld . ]
