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'Modbook Pro X' Tablet Based on 15-Inch Retina MacBook Pro Debuts on Kickstarter

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MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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30,795



Modbook, the company with a history of offering pen-based Mac tablets using the internals of Apple's notebooks, is announcing a new Kickstarter campaign today to support the launch of a new Modbook Pro X based on the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro. The $150,000 campaign will allow users to send in their own machines for conversion at $1999 or reserve complete systems directly from Modbook starting at $3999.

modbook_pro_x.jpg
An innovative computer modification product, the Modbook Pro X incorporates the original hardware of a Retina-display Apple MacBook Pro 15.4-inch base system running the OS X 10.10 Yosemite operating system. The expansive drawing and writing surface of the Modbook Pro X has a scratch-resistant ForceGlass screen with paper-emulating texture that covers a crisp, clear 15.4-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2,880 by 1,800 pixels. Users get highly sensitive pen input with 2,048 pen pressure levels and pen tilt and rotate functionality for producing pro-quality creative deliverables.
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Various configurations of the Modbook Pro X are available, including processor options ranging up to the top-of-the-line 2.8 GHz chip launched in the Retina MacBook Pro just yesterday, up to 32 GB of RAM, and up to 2 TB of flash storage.

modbook_pro_x_keybars.jpg
Additional options for Modbook Pro X customers include integrated Keybars on the rear of the device providing eyes-free programmable access to key combinations for commands and shortcuts, as well as a Keyboard Stand that serves as a keyboard, adjustable easel stand, and protective cover for the Modbook Pro X.

modbook_pro_x_stand.jpg
Shipping on complete systems is scheduled for January 2015 in limited quantities, with the bulk of orders starting the following month. Send-in-your-own systems are planned to begin shipping roughly a month later.

Given its price, the Modbook Pro X is obviously targeted at a niche market interested in a tablet running full OS X such as creative professionals, but for those people the device may be an appealing option. For others, particularly those who would appreciate an OS X-based iPad, it's at least an interesting example of what can be done.

Backers not interested in a full Modbook system can also support the project through cheaper rewards such as a $59 Modbook Digitizer Pen that is compatible with an array of pen-based tablets or a Modbook Shuttle portable hard drive starting at $139.

Article Link: 'Modbook Pro X' Tablet Based on 15-Inch Retina MacBook Pro Debuts on Kickstarter
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/07/30/modbook-pro-x-kickstarter/
lincolntran

lincolntran

macrumors 6502a
Jan 18, 2010
843
471
Look cool but impractical in real usage. Id love to know the feedback after pple use it for a day
 
H

hamis92

macrumors 6502
Apr 4, 2007
475
87
Finland
How is it possible that this thing offers 32 GB of RAM when one can't order that amount of memory to the MacBook Pro itself?
 
D

dgreene196

macrumors member
Jun 10, 2011
56
2
Serban said:
they are allowed to put OSX in it?
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It's not a unique computer. It's just the insides of a Macbook Pro with Retina (including screen) rearranged into a new tablet form. They've done a previous Modbook that was intriguing, if, like this one, expensive.
 
W

Windlasher

macrumors 6502
Jan 11, 2011
483
111
minneapolis
CTMoore said:
So what? A day or 2 before Apple C&D's this?
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Once you buy a macbook pro - its yours to do with as you please. It will still be officially a macbook, running a legit OS from apple, just in a new shell. Its been done before and Apple can't say anything about it.

That said - I wouldn't trust a bunch of script kiddies with a CNC machine to ruin my brand new MBP especially given this history of some kickstarter programs not actually happening.
 
J

jundi93

macrumors newbie
Sep 24, 2013
20
0
Jordan
What !!

WTF is this ! 2,000 USD for conversion or 4,000 USD for a new one !!! this is hilarious :confused: Apple should ban this ! and who uses a pen-based tablet nowadays anymore ! it's just a rip-off.:mad::mad:
 
69650

69650

Suspended
Mar 23, 2006
3,367
1,876
England
Looks like the future of the Mac. Docked it makes an ideal desktop and undocked it makes a great laptop/tablet hybrid. 3 devices in one. Perfect. See what you can with a little imagintion, something Apple sadly seems to be lacking these days.
 
E

EgbertAttrick

macrumors regular
Feb 25, 2008
234
89
Windlasher said:
Once you buy a macbook pro - its yours to do with as you please. It will still be officially a macbook, running a legit OS from apple, just in a new shell. Its been done before and Apple can't say anything about it.

That said - I wouldn't trust a bunch of script kiddies with a CNC machine to ruin my brand new MBP especially given this history of some kickstarter programs not actually happening.
Click to expand...

Some, LOL. That's a kind understatement.
 
tlevier

tlevier

macrumors regular
Jun 7, 2010
134
2
Littleton, CO
This modbook company keeps getting better and better. I think they're starting to get to a place where Apple should start giving serious consideration to buying them or officially partnering with them.

My main reservation about being a customer is the inability to experience it in advance. These are highly specialized and rare products - you can't go down to Best Buy and get an experience.

For those who are unfamiliar with the ModBook process, they take a retail MacBook that you've purchased and reconfigure the components into a tablet form and then add some new components and software for the touch screen interface.

It's that interface that I'd really like to experience. Is it responsive enough? Detailed enough? Probably, but not worth risking $4k to find out you dislike it and that it's crap.
 
K

kaltsasa

macrumors 6502a
Jan 9, 2002
585
21
Kellogg IA
jundi93 said:
WTF is this ! 2,000 USD for conversion or 4,000 USD for a new one !!! this is hilarious :confused: Apple should ban this ! and who uses a pen-based tablet nowadays anymore ! it's just a rip-off.:mad::mad:
Click to expand...

It's a niche product for a certain subset of people. The ModBook has been around for a long time and was showcased at several MacWorld Expos. At a minimum they have tacit approval from Apple brass to continue to produce these products.
 
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