Amid rumors of a tablet computer being launched by Apple at the upcoming Macworld Expo trade show, a California company has taken the lead by launching its own Mac-based tablet.
Axiotron said that its ModBook is an aftermarket hardware modification of a standard Apple MacBook, and is intended for those times when “a keyboard only gets in the way.” The device was announced a year ago, at the 2007 Macworld Expo in San Francisco.
As with other tablets, the user can write and draw directly on the ModBook screen. The new tablet uses handwriting-recognition technology that is already embedded in the Mac operating system.
Paper-Like Writing Sensation
The pen digitizer offers 133 position updates per second and 512 pressure levels, with three different kinds of replaceable pen tips for different drawing styles. For drawing, users can rest their hand on the screen without generating marks because the pen is radio-based. The cursor can be controlled even when the pen hovers over the screen.
In fact, Axiotron said that the ModBook offers a paper-like writing sensation, in part because the LCD screen has been acid-treated to achieve an etched surface.
The product, which starts at $2,290, also has a built-in iSight camera, built-in 802.11a/b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth 2.0, and an integrated CD/DVD drive that is upgradable.
Tablets are designed for mobile use, and the ModBook is certainly built for rugged travel. Axiotron said it is the first portable Mac with optional GPS, and that its top shell and interior display frame are constructed from aircraft-quality magnesium alloy for durability.
The top shell is plated with chrome over copper and nickel layers, which the company said offers protection against scratches and oxidation. In addition, the LCD panel has a replaceable screen cover made from a chemically strengthened material that Axiotron calls ForceGlass.
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