The Apple Tablet Computer Revealed
Rumored for over three years now, the idea of an Apple tablet "style" laptop computer is something which many of us, geeks and the less technically minded alike have dreamed of.
The anticipation and frustration have mounted in tandem with every rumor of an impending release of a MacOS based portable computing solution boasting the ease of use and power of an Apple and the ultra-portability of a computer, only to have hopes dashed with another repetition of "it's not quite ready for the market."
Many curses have been muttered under the breaths and clenched fists shaken in exasperation by those who have long wished for this, the first Apple tablet laptop.
Well, that day so many of us have been waiting for has finally come to pass with the release of the Modbook from Axiotron. This is the tablet computer we've been wishing for the last three years and it is truly something to behold.
Now, it must be noted that the Modbook is not an "official" Macintosh computer. Instead, it is manufactured by the Axiotron company and runs MacOS X. For the time being, it's the only game in town for a tablet computer operating on the MacOS platform. The Modbook is already gaining great popularity among designers, students and anyone else who needs to lightness and portability of a Tablet PC and the Apple suite of programs for creative endeavors.
The Modbook, Apple Tablet, features a 13.5" screen and stylus from Wacom, powered by Apple's Inkwell software. Inkwell boasts amazing handwriting recognition which performs far better than does its Microsoft based competition. In tests, even the most illegible of handwriting was recognized and translated into readable text on screen- quite a feat, especially in what is a relatively early stage as far as the history of handwriting recognition software goes. Inkwell is truly an advanced system and it will be fascinating where Apple takes this functionality in the future.
There is one thing the Modbook does not do and this is true touch screen functionality. Instead, the interaction with the screen must be done by means of the Wacom stylus. The stylus performs exceptionally well and integrates right into software artists and other creative professionals need such as Photoshop and Corel Painter. This makes the Modbook exceptionally useful to its target audience - drawing can be done directly on the screen, as well as note taking.
Now to get into what the inner (or not so inner) geek in all of you reading this is dying to know - specifications. The Modbook, Apple Tablet, runs Mac OSX v10.5 (Leopard), comes with a 2.1 Ghz processor, 1GB onboard memory, along with the standard set of connectivity options you expect from a Macintosh computer: Airport, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth and FireWire.
GPS is integrated into the Modbook out of the box, so there's no need to get lost on the way to a meeting. Integrated GPS is a feature many have been wanting in a portable for some time now, it's nice to see a tabet PC with this feature as standard.
An iSight camera is also included as a standard feature, which comes in exceptionally handy in a portable computing solution such as this. Artists who do double duty as geeks will be thrilled by this feature - and it's a nice toy for the rest of us who don't necessarily rely on our creative powers to make ends meet too!
The design of the Modbook is exceptional - although not manufactured by Apple, this is machine does justice to the history of groundbreaking design seen from that company; Axiotron has really outdone themselves here. A striking chrome finish tops a double layer of metal plating (nickel and copper), all over a magnesium alloy casing similar to that used in aircraft. This is certainly one durable portable - these units are built to last. The finish is satin, but mirror finished chrome will be available within the next month or two for those who demand that their shiny new computer be well, shiny.
The durability factor doesn't end with the casing however. The screen and iSight camera are protected by Axiotron's ForceGlass for increased durability and scratch resistance compared to the plastic covered LCD screens typically seen in portable computing.
The screen and cover are exceptionally bright and clear as well, thanks to an anti-reflective coating on the underside of the screen and an acid treatment on the outer side to reduce glare and "sparkle" effects. This is another feature many who use laptops and other portable computers on a daily basis will surely appreciate.
A full-featured optical drive is included as well, supporting CD writing and DVD-ROM, upgradeable to a DVD-ROM/CD-R drive. This is atypical for a tablet computer, making the Modbook a great choice for entertainment as well as work and creativity.
The Modbook is an idea whose time has (finally) come. The long wait is over for all of those who have wanted a Mac tablet - and they are already beloved of those who have picked one up. The stability and performance of a Mac and the portability of a tablet PC (it's hard to believe that a Microsoft based system is all that has been available to tablet users for so long, isn't it?) are here in the form of the Modbook.
Apple lovers, rejoice! Artists, animators and Photoshop nerds; your tablet is here! In all seriousness, the Modbook, Apple Tablet Computer, is highly recommended to anyone seeking a tablet that can offer exceptional handwriting recognition and access to the creative software of the Mac platform, all in one sleek and attractive package.
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