At last - a Mac tablet computer

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 01 January 2008 00:12

Your IT - Entertainment

Axiotron, perhaps wisely, has decided against such a move saying on its website: "Converting an Apple MacBook into a TabletMac [this term appears to have been dropped for the product as released] using the Axiotron Modbook conversion kit is best performed by a trained technician and will void the original Apple MacBook warranty."

It is targeting the product squarely at creative professionals, claiming it "gives artists and design oriented professionals the increased freedom, flexibility and precision control to create and edit digital art using a variety of specially designed pen tips that are included with each Modbook."

This aspect will feature prominently when the Modbook goes on show at the upcoming Macworld Expo 2008. Axiotron says it will be presented with a series of hands-on mini-seminars "conducted by renowned comic book artist Kody Chamberlain, Emmy award-winning animator Shannon Tindle, award-winning photographer Caesar Lima, acclaimed architectural designer Matthew Brewster and Cal State Fullerton design professor Bryan Cantley."

Other features of the Modbook include:
• Protection of the screen and camera by as replaceable screen made from chemically strengthened ForceGlass. This is claimed to provide superior optical and aging properties as well as much better scratch resistance than the cheaper non-glass-based solutions found in most tablet computers,
• Replacement of the standard MacBook screen with "a new and improved Axiotron AnyView LCD panel offering wider viewing angles and a higher contrast ratio for darker blacks and stronger, more saturated, lush colours, while maintaining the same resolution and aspect ratio of the original MacBook display."
• An internal CD/DVD combo drive, which in addition can be upgraded to a 6x DVD burner with up to 8.5GB capacity.
• Locking points allow the Modbook to be securely placed in optional multi-functional mounts ie for use with VESA compatible desktop arms.