Macworld Video: The ModBook in action

[Darko2625]

Fuck the iPad I'm gonna buy this.

[Gridlock585]

Yes but? will it blend?

[jasperrumbelow]

price??? are they for sale in uk?

[kunoichicosplay]

@jasperrumbelow - axiotron actually sells them for just short of 2,000USD but you can have a 13" mac converted into a modbook for just short of 1000USD. What I'm planning to do is buy a mac from ebay - I've found one for like a little over 330USD that ends in a few days - and I'm going to wait for the holiday discount for the conversion and get one for basically around 1000USD give or take. Quite the discount if you look around till you find a solution :P

[halor101]

You guys keep complaining about not having a keyboard, OH NO!! You could just buy a cheap ($14), roll up keyboard. problem solved.

[jantjesjantje]

Oh, this is really stupid. Why not a regular laptop with a touchscreen? If you open the laptop you wil have a regular laptop, and if you turn (Flip over) the screen you will have a tablet. Now you have just a big iPad for a lot of money.

[RevillutionDotCom]

I want one...

[snowbrd2live]

this seems so tedious and expensive. get a tablet, or a macbook. if you feel so inclined to spend the extra money to get your perfectly good macbook violated, go ahead.

[Avallido89]

lol shitty touch screen and no keyboard. for an extra 1000 dollars. jesus christ.

[auramilo]

OWC pwns

[zombiecarrot]

macbook air 2010 + modbook = a lot money but awesomeness over 9000!!!!!

[reiniergoogle]

I would by one if it had a decent keyboard like the iPad.

[QuietRain]

I want this =[

[MaxAC40]

@MaxAC40

This is the problem:

3:50-4:10

.

"this is the modbook"

Took me one second to type that. Not twenty.

.

The convenience of a laptop, it's portability, is lost as soon as you need to bundle it with a keyboard. An Iphone, or Ipad is far more portable for such use.

[MaxAC40]

@MaxAC40

they should have done something like this:

watch?v=P8iV8gdWerk

[simonxalo]

I just bought one! OMG YAY! If you want to know where I got it, just PM me ;)

[SquickenX]

so... do you need to use the pen to interact with the screen? or can you touch it?

[spideylover]

@SquickenX no, it just supports pen input (lame). The upcoming Modbook Pro will support touch in addition to pen, but I hope you got a big-ass wallet- it's $5000

[TheAvery86]

It's exactly what the iPad should've been...

[thefamilyk]

modbook<ipad

[jerryanderium]

@thefamilyk didnt you mean: modbook>ipad?

[thefamilyk]

@jerryanderium whoops yes i most certainly did

[felix24375]

how old is it?

Is it real?

[zuvkovich]

is the pen too sensitive there ?

and it's only available with macbook based?

[JaBunGa23]

its resistive?

[paulineangel4]

can you change the font for the typing?

[Pistolero3]

i have a question, the new IPAD is gonna be able to run sketchbook pro and will have a pen so i can use it as a wacom tablet too?

[t0ky0maru1]

@Pistolero3 how could you use something thats not a wacom tablet as a wacom tablet

[luckyhat4]

@Pistolero3 I don't think it will have a pen.

[Pistolero3]

@luckyhat4 me neither but maybeeee the next gen of ipads, after all sketchbook pro needs low resources and the ipad is fully touch like a wacom tablet.

[luckyhat4]

actually, only the low-end wacom tablets have touch. it's kind of a gimmick because it just works like an oversized trackpad.

i don't think the ipad is meant to function as a tablet anyway. and there's always the modbook, y'know. i think if apple is going to make a tablet mac, they will buy out axiotron first to reduce competition.

[roremster]

no the ipad is gonna suck

[paulineangel4]

@Pistolero3 i was thinking that too!!!

cause i am gonna get one

[Pistolero3]

wait a few months, microsoft is gonna make a tablet too and google too, im not saying the ipad is bad, just maybe we have to wait and see other options on the market

[AGeekForever]

@paulineangel4 Get an Axon Haptic! I guess we should wait for some reviews... I will post one shortly.

[MrNullZ]

@AGeekForever Thats good only for drawing. This runs mac os which means not just editing but all the other apps included

[MrNullZ]

@MrNullZ Scratch my post :(

[kahuna3901]

it depends on what developers are making for the ipad. it wouldnt be impossible to see something like that on the ipad. there arew allready huge rumours of microsoft office so i dont see why not

[PS3GRIMREAPER91]

i wish i can afford one

[gabefung4]

(continue) Your finger act as the mouse, sure it *work*, but the experience is different to a UI/app optimize to touchscreen environment. Let's say iPhone's Safari, when you need to scroll down, your finger touch and scroll down @anywhere on the webpage, but for desktop class safari, you have to specific "click and hold" the scroll bar and hold it down.

[gabefung4]

Typical price vs performance - battery usage issue on tablet pc. Sure, this modbook is fast and run every app for mac, but it cost 1.6K and battery run between 2-5 hrs. iPad cost $499(up), 9.7" IPS mon, even faster than 3GS and now reportably you can play 140 hr music or 10 hrs video. True, it does not run desktop application, but the app store does have a lot useful app for touchscreen.

[scstraus]

I bet sales will be through the roof for this now that we finally saw what the iPad really was.

[JUK1980]

That's not what the retail market thinks, because prices for the ModBook have slumped to below the price of the iPad.

[aghabeypasha]

Agreed.

[AGeekForever]

@scstraus Until the Axon Haptic gets more publicity of course. :D

[aghabeypasha]

It`s called the iPad, yay.

[kingjowl]

people with strong asian accents might have to reffere to it as the tablet!

[abetheman94]

is it compatable with your fingers?

[aghabeypasha]

Better wait for the iPad.

[epicboiii]

@aghabeypasha the tablet with the iPhone OS? no thanks

[toxintheterrible]

I would personally look at it as a best alternative to Wacom Cintiq, however as this dude sketches on sketchbook pro ive noticed that the stroke was a little bit glichy, if this product can deliver a smooth functioning with softwares like photoshop cs4, Painter ... it would be worth buying,

[DulvluSpa]

Probably would fix it in some sort of update, or when it's marketed.

[Eirwan95]

this modbook is not from apple rite? cuz apple dnt make tablet pc.

im really confused here, i want to buy a laptop but i dnt know what brand to buy?? shud i buy a tablet or a mac? which one is better?

[blackipinoy]

do you need a tablet?

[Eirwan95]

yea

[blackipinoy]

well then its all about what OS you want.

[Eirwan95]

i don't know what os is the best...can you tell me the pros and cons of vista and leopard/snow leopard...

[blackipinoy]

its really a matter of preference. Which OS do you normally use?

Pros of leopard: It will run smooth as long as you use compatible software. Dont have to worry about viruses. Fast OS

Cons: Expensive, less compatible.

Pros of Windows: Cheaper, compatible with virtually any software. Also a fast OS

Cons: Many, many viruses out there, but just as many antiviruses. Not as refined.

It really is up to whatever you're comfortable with.

[Eirwan95]

i always use vist..my first pc (6years ago) was a pc and even now is a pc..now i am very interested in the aluminium macbook pro..i guess i can buy a mac..and if i hate the os i could just do bootcamp and install vista rite??

[blackipinoy]

yea, but then you'd end up with an overpriced PC. Mac OS isn't so bad though.

Move your windows taskbar to the top and you have an instant OSx

[Eirwan95]

; D ..lol

[avdude94]

No, Vista sucks on the new aluminum Macbook Pro. Trust me, I tried it and it overheated. Standard Vista runs better on a PC. Apple didn't even release the right drivers for the sound in Vista, it just sucks like Vista. The Macbook Pro is nice with OS X, though

[Dominoes282]

why do you think they call it a MODBOOK

[evilmonkey123123]

WTF no keyboard

[hackingtime88]

whats the point of a modbook, just so your able to draw?

[dickp999]

umm......are you a complete n00b?

try......hands-on tablet computing, touch screen, disability accessibility, and much more.

not to mention the posibilities for educational use. i for one have a tablet PC for my school computer and it is amazing.

you really need to learn to appreciate technology. i assume your short-sightedness is probably due to your complete lack of tech-know.

anyway......

[stainwalk]

ya but if its a wacom based screen, that means u can only use it with a wacom pen, n its not multitouch, n no keyboard... its not good...

[dickp999]

correct and incorrect:

it does feature touch screen, true you can only use a wacom pen but is that such a bad thing?

[stainwalk]

so, get a 300 busck awesome wacom n use it with ur mac... that way u get a keyboard, a mac n a wacom.

[dickp999]

mm fair enough

true

i mylsef have that configuration at home

very impressive

[860015]

the modbook does not belong to mac it belongs to Ralph Sklarew, a guy from Virginia who invented it in the early 80s it was called a 'test taking tablet' that was supposed to make it into American schools back in the 80s, it was quite revolutionary but mysteriously didnt make it to the public so its more than probable Skarlew was bought out by Jobs and Wozniack, And that they suppressed the marketing of the patent at the time

[m3t4lm4n222]

Why couldn't they make one like a PC tablet? Just rotate the screen and lay it ontop of the keyboard..

[DorkyMrDucky]

Probably because they didn't want to copy them, so they made it their own.

[upsilone]

the only use I see for it is if I can attach it on my wall and make it interract with my other house devices eg lights, oven, cameras, music player and heating. Although I doubt Apple would take the time to build such devices that are compatible with it, it would be cool if I could control all the stuff in my home with one screen.

[xxBEKAHxCHANxx]

thx so much, you answered so many of my questions!

[davinhardoyo]

i like the touch sensitive but i hate about removing the keyboard o_O.... its good for artists and people that really likes to draw but not typing... Well i just hope Apple comes a new macbook with the same technology as the modbook WITH keyboard ;)

[xCuppyCakeSqueakersx]

There's a keyboard on there :) But it's one of those touch-screen keyboards n-n

It's better than nothing <3

[narutokabuto]

i wonder where you would put the pen?

[Lmartin22]

did you even watch the video?

[narutokabuto]

kind of

[Thurzatuhl]

John Seth has no soul to speak of

[JxOxNxNxY]

my Omnia does all this shit... there's no keyboard... that's fucking gay

[porschekid711]

I mean the HP is less is more not the other way around. The HP is less money more stuff

[porschekid711]

wow amazing you all that on an HP tablet for $900 amazingly $1000 dollars less expensive with a bigger hard drive and has more ram. It also has a Key board. How real story of less is more. I would much rather spend $900 than $1900.

[umoq3qISdnn]

yeah this isnt made by apple & i bet these are handmade thats why they cost more

[porschekid711]

and their probably easier to break because they don't close. What is the point of a computer that has no Keyboard. My friend has an Lenovo X61 it is less expensive more durable and it amazingly has a keyboard. But your obviously a stupid crApple lover and can't see past the fact that for the normal person using a computer a keyboard is often helpful. This device purely reiterates the fact that all apple can create are toys. Really expensive toys.

[umoq3qISdnn]

are you fucking stupid kid? this isnt even made by apple you moron

[porschekid711]

your the moron it is a Macbook with a modified top half.

[umoq3qISdnn]

your a joke dude, go get a fucking clue!

[porschekid711]

go get a life

[porschekid711]

the MacBook is made by Apple if you didn't know

[yaoilovertash]

Does modifying your macbook end your warranty on the computer? Doesn't it run hot? I know the macbook gets hot and converting your macbook into modbook, might make it run even hotter, at least like it's running hotter because your constantly using it in her hands more than the macbook.

[bobhornagie181]

I would pay millions of dollars for a Mac, but, you couldn't PAY me all the money in the world to buy/get a p.c..

[SpencerShow]

why not? they're not bad

[SpencerShow]

i meant they're not *that* bad

[bobhornagie181]

You obviously haven't had the types of experiences with p.c.s that I've had......... Don't even get me started!

[hiyaitsmejoel1]

yeah, i hate p.c infact im using one at the moment! my friend has a iMac and it is the best but i cant afford to get one:(

[appletips]

Modbooks aren't that bad if you already have a macbook. They'll let you send one in to get turned into a modbook. Yea it is alot of money to pay upfront but big deal. And bobhornagie181 I could say the same thing.

[tjonnyc]

Hm, so instead of buying a tablet PC (HP/Lenovo/Compaq/whoever) for around $ 1200, having a flip-screen that I can use as a tablet OR as a full-function laptop, and having a full warranty, and having it all work out-of-the-box, and options for Windows or Linux or multi-boot... - I can have a one-off, non-warranteed, locked-configuration, hard-to-upgrade, proprietary solution for the SAME price? Oh wow. What a concept.

[bobhornagie181]

Better worded you can get a computer with a horrible OS, crashes, has thousands of viruses, is ugly and hardly works ( tablet PC ) OR You can get an amazing computer with a great operating system beyond its years, superb and unbeatable software out-of-the-box and AMAZING TECH SUPPORT!!!!!! ( mod book ) Hmmmmm............ Let me think?????? :)

[Danno1850]

pretty sweet if your an illustrator or designer... plus you can just grab a wireless keyboard and mouse and turn this into a regular computer.... i hope

[SubkipRanch]

they slayed a macbook and used its parts to create something!

[Shalom889]

Would this work with PhotoShop Or Manga Studio , Realy Need to Know

[PudelFilm]

Wacom pads work fine with Photoshop. I don't know manga studio, so i don't know if the pressure-sensitive part works with it - but you can definitely use it as a mouse, regardless which appllication.

[maxamillion1027]

this guy could not have a more annoying voice

[FreeStyl3rSoccer]

They basicly flipped the screen and made it so it doesn't open, and installed touch software and a new screen it is really piratical and easy, they are going to make it better. Hopefully :)

[Madvideoclips]

hackintosh

[braydenmartindale]

Its not a hackintosh all apple parts remain except for the screen

[logindeprueba]

a hell of refresh rates for professional graphic designers!

but it is a good choice for children from 10 to 15 years

[BalmungX]

they should inport some of the iphone function to make it better, overall PC tablet Laptop is still the way to go for now

[demonwx10]

they should make a Modbook Air!

[nataliaandnick14]

what are the disadvantages of having an apple product not sold by apple, such a would their usb keyboard work or their mighty , and do all things apple work with it like newer versions of ilife and new os systems sorry i dont know much

[kingcol252]

apple could improve this, add multitouch, finger recognition instead of touch (Completely Different). etc.

[czerner335]

a pc for graphic design? hahahahahahahaha. Why not for music production?

[ValisX]

i've been saying that these new touch screen computers like the touchsmart should have virtual keyboards like this.

this was nearly two years ago so its pretty senseless and kind of irresponsible for the touchsmarts not to have a similar virtual keyboard

[iphoneshuffle]

What program was he using at 3.39? lol it looks cool

[BalmungX]

should be Alias's Sketchbook Pro but can't be sure due to PC and MAC UI difference

[djman900]

thats hella like the smart board

[glenfunken1944]

pen sensivity is complete disaster, acceleration is crap too, what if I would do something more than just type simple "hello" or clik on a button ? I cannot imagine how possibly I could work on this. Another toy for bored bussinesmen travelling a lot.

[Klaymator14]

Maybe for the people that work with a lot with digital artwork, or animation? Makes it much easier for them.

[blazinhomo]

Digital artwork? Get a cintiq. You obviously aren't in the business otherwise you wouldn't have said that.

[Klaymator14]

I know about the Cintiq, although you do need to plug it in, and use it through their, but it's much easier to just pick up and go without having to plug it in and do it, it's much more portable that way, plus, the new modservice will make it cheaper than buying the Cintiq, Well, at least cheaper than the Desktop like ones. Plus, with this, I can work while I'm laying in bed! :D It uses Wacom technology and it has GPS! Although the feature is pretty useless to artists, it's still pretty awesome!

[graphicman007]

And it's obvious you're not in the business either dear. I've been a graphic designer for quite a number of years now, and actually own a ModBook. Macs are the only computers in the industry. And Wacom is the only tablet in the industry. Therefore, these are wondrous for combining our two power-tools for design. Think before you talk.

[blazinhomo]

MACS? ROFL. Which firm do you work for hmm? My university buddies say otherwise. In their internship, it was only PC's and cintiq. Wacom created the cintiq in case you didn't know. The entire adobe suite works for PC, so why again does someone need to drop $xxxx more money on a un-upgradeable mac then a pc?

[graphicman007]

Well your buddies are wrong dear. And Macs don't cost more than PCs these days, if you haven't noticed. To get a PC of "equal" quality, you have to spend more money. And I work for Unit9. We're a Graphic and Web Development firm based out of London. You should look us up. And don't be so rude. I don't even know you, friend, and I'm not angry with you for having an opinion! But you'll find that you're friends have told you wrong.

[blazinhomo]

PC of equal quality? Look @ my video of my fujitsu t5010. A machine with the same price, but 2x better in hardware. Centrino 2 with wimax, 3G, 3GB DDR3 ram, 320GB 7200RPM HDD, wacom active digitizer, and more.

[blazinhomo]

I don't want to argue, so lets leave it at that.

[nssoccerplayer8]

You're an idiot. Adobe suite doesn't work for PC....there isn't a PC corp. If you mean, Microsoft or IBM or something then be more precise.

[blazinhomo]

Moron alert! Moron alert! IBM? LOL They don't have their own OS, why would I need to say windows or linux or w/e just to get my point across? Most MACboys put themselves away from PC anyways, case and point; apple commercials.

[kingofhearts890]

its case IN point.

[BalmungX]

As far as i know Photoshop and illustrator was first design for Mac, however i agree with you on the point on pricing

[graphicman007]

All of the things you said were crap can be changed to suit your style. It would be safe to assume that you've never actually USED a ModBook. They are amazingly convenient, especially designers. They work very well, and do not have any troubles. You need to be less malicious in your opinions- do some research! Learn before you knock on something, because you end up wrong and now should be embarrassed. Typical uneducated response.

[Xephyron]

Tablets look like SHIT. I hate it.

[applegeek123]

can i but a keyboard and mouse on for gaming on the internet

[snowboardpatrol]

yes, I know you can use a USB key board and mouse

[minhsuantsai]

no right click tho?

there should be a keyboard that slides out, strong so it won't break, that'll be great....just a wish tho

[hunkymunky3]

can u make it have vista?

[mikeike200793]

i think you can

[drivojulianrobotnik]

No you cant. It is a modified macbook. My question is WHY would you want to replace OS X with Vista?

[kdb424]

Mac's support windows now, so yes.

[drivojulianrobotnik]

Then buy a fujitsu laptop with the pen surface.

[vgmp]

because macs dont run windows apps and like 95% of the world uses windows. and yes you can search up bootcamp

[supergeek24]

ya using bootcamp which comes w/ os x leopard

[samiamg1996]

Anyone who has this should install Remote Buddy

[RoaringBlast]

They should borrow the mobile keyboardsoftware from Microsoft, configure it into a soft keyboard with palm pads, and take off that tiny one.

[RicketyTickety]

pretty shweet... typing looks like a pain in the ass though.

[krishiiiwashere]

im still shocked that they copied from the tx2000...other words hp

[jaredpr93]

Is it heavy?

[badwine69]

Wouldn't it be great to have a touch sensitive keyboard be able to pop up instead of using the pen... I bet that will be added at some point... And the keyboard goes away when not needed...

[xblcsaw]

Like on a UMPC?

[Luvxtrostis]

you don't know how bad touch screen tablets are. i wouldn't recommend it for writing and specially for drawing purposes. but it's good for touch War Craft or any RTS games

[marianoltes13]

i'm using mac mini as a desktop and hp tc1100 as laptop. i was waiting ages for tablet with mac os. tablets are great

[64miguel]

hey there people can any one out there in the youtube universe please tell me if the modbook is also good for business and personal use not just art and design? Please message me! thanks!

[7h3ki113r666]

who would want that

[woaairock]

you are a lousy speaker. you want people to bw interested???? huh??? well i have a few tips

STOP SAYING UMM

AND MAKE BETTER SOFTWARE!!

[bartlpe]

?????

[johnmonk66]

typical apple, people have been asking for a mac tablet for years but apple never listens, so someone else had to build it

[yiyopr1]

tablets don't sell, as kool as they are, they don't sell. Its not convinient for mac to put this on the market.

[hendrix867]

they're not lol axiotron is

[raven1321]

this is the ugliest apple product ever! it's like some gadget back in the prehistoric era...

tsk tsk tsk...

am so disappointed with apple on this.

UGLY!

[Vampirefan]

it's not apples product. modbook is made by axiotron.

[123pako123]

Not from Apple, LOL, you actually think apple will sell something like that??

it is from axitron and its called modbook

[iSven08]

I don't know why our disappointed with apple. They have nothing to do with it besides making a stock macbook

[lezoujonathan]

didn't you watch the video it's called Modbook by Axiotron not from apple

they used the Macbook resize it and make it a tablet for designers or architect

[articarts]

Hey does anyone know if you can use a pressure sensitiv wacokm pen from a wacom tablet on this instead of the pen that follows?! :)

[ParkourReble]

this is not from apple!!

[konfushusknowsall]

ur dumb

[DeadFredVideo]

id love one of those :D

Id have to use the bluetooth apple keyboard for typing though :)

[slurpieheadrj]

usb keyboard or bluetooth no doubt

[kpappletech]

Should've kept the keyboard.

kp

[paulhdavis]

This is a sad, sad product. wait for apple to make something. Can't they just make the air screen swivel around? Honestly, how hard can this be? Make it a little thicker--who cares?

[macmasterG3]

they should make it like the tilt phone and have the screen slide up to reveal a keyboard and then rotate up into a a typing position. That would be cool

[microsoftboi]

he sounds pissed up haha

[mikeyman9]

wow would so brake from like after a month

[EditRabbit]

Great looking machine and I've heard it works great, but it's all pointless of Axiotron doesn't get their backorder situation under control.

[ZogDawg]

That's pretty cool, but how do you REALLY type?