Axiotron and OWC demoed ModBook, a Tablet Mac
The top Mac hardware announcement of Macworld 2007 may well be the ModBook, a tablet Mac. The ModBook is a MacBook with a special screen modification. While Steve Jobs is reported to have concluded that a Tablet Mac is not financially feasible for Apple, US and German engineers of Axiotron have designed one and it will be marketed by Other World Computing (OWC).
The 13.3" tablet screen made from ForceGlass is fitted to a white MacBook in place of its regular screen. The screen only faces outward and is etched to provide a paper-like textured surface and to minimize scratching. The ModBook uses a WACOM Penabled hardware to write or draw or paint on the screen or to select things on the screen. It has a built-in iSight camera and an optional GPS unit, the only portable Mac to include one.
We attended a packed press conference and demonstration of the ModBook. The slideshow presentation was originated on a ModBook and its handwriting and GPS mapping capabilities were shown. We were impressed with the ModBook's fit and finish. It was remarkably well-done for a pre-production model.
Those of you waiting for a tablet Mac should check out the ModBook. We think you will be pleased with it. Ranging in price from $2279 to $2849, it compares very favorably in price with tablet PCs on the market. It is scheduled to ship about April and carries a one-year limited warranty from OWC. The warranty can be extended to three years.
OWC has special pre-release pricing of $2199-$2699 which includes the GPS unit. [Update: The ModBook won a Macworld Best of Show Award!] [Bill Fox]
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