Mac Tablet from OWC

MacRumors · 04:36 PM

Other World Computing pre-announced the Axiotron ModBook today.... a 3rd party Mac "tablet computer solution".

The ModBook is a Mac tablet computer solution with these features:

• Write and draw directly on screen!
• True pen & handwriting recognition
• Built in iSight Camera
• Integrated CD/DVD combo drive
• The ONLY Mac solution with an optional built-in Global Positioning System
• Aircraft grade magnesium alloy for all terrain use

The ModBook will apparently be a heavily modified MacBook in the tablet form-factor and will be officially unveiled at Macworld Expo on January 9th. A hands-on trial of the device will be available at that time.

This year, MacRumors will be posting photos and reports from Macworld booths. A Macworld San Francisco sub-forum has been opened and we encourage vendors to register and participate in the discussion of their products.

evilgEEk · Jan 4, 2007, 04:23 PM

Sounds pretty cool. But I still don't think tablets are all that practical.

arn · Jan 4, 2007, 04:24 PM

they have to be pretty confident that Apple's not releasing a tablet at MWSF...

arn

albeik · Jan 4, 2007, 04:25 PM

Interesting teaser they have on there website...

DontBurnTheDayy · Jan 4, 2007, 04:25 PM

Tablets suck

unless they're made by Apple.

ninjadex · Jan 4, 2007, 04:25 PM

Cease And Desist

Texas04 · Jan 4, 2007, 04:25 PM

Since when do other people.. companies make Mac hardware?

Furthermore since when do other people make computers that can run OS X.

know-it-all5 · Jan 4, 2007, 04:26 PM

Are you serious? In all seriousness, has the validity of this been checked. I checked the link and it left me a bit skeptical. Plus there is now way apple would let someone else make a computer that they have using their os.
IS THIS REAL?

Bonte · Jan 4, 2007, 04:27 PM

I want a real clone, not a mod

Changing the ROM with some PC notebooks is enough to let it install a normal MacMini osX DVD, it can't be long until someone offer's a osX compatible PC's. Right?

Bonte · Jan 4, 2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by know-it-all5

Are you serious? In all seriousness, has the validity of this been checked. I checked the link and it left me a bit skeptical. Plus there is now way apple would let someone else make a computer that they have using their os.
IS THIS REAL?

They buy a Macbook and mod it to a Tablet at twice the price, thats all.

MacQuest · Jan 4, 2007, 04:28 PM

HOLY SHIZZLE!!!

Like I said all throughout 2006, 2007 will be the year that Apple breaks into new markets and does to them what the iPod/iTunes combination did to the digital music player/legal online content distribution markets.

Gentlemen, THIS IS WAR!!!

bradc · Jan 4, 2007, 04:29 PM

Weird, seems like a dicy move if a) Apple makes a tablet and b) Apple Legal Department....

know-it-all5 · Jan 4, 2007, 04:30 PM

This isn't gonna hog up any of the keynote right?

Oh and does modbook mean they modded a macbook to be a tablet? wont apple sue them for selling modded versions of their product under their nose, and introducing it at THIR TRADESHOW?

shawnce · Jan 4, 2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradc

Weird, seems like a dicy move if a) Apple makes a tablet and b) Apple Legal Department....

Why? They likely make you purchase a MacBook (on your dime), ship it to them, and then they modify it to make it a tablet and give it back to you. This would obviously void Apple's warranty so they also likely provide support for this modified MacBook.

shelterpaw · Jan 4, 2007, 04:33 PM

I guess Apple can test market a tablet for free now. HA!

know-it-all5 · Jan 4, 2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawnce

Why? They likely make you purchase a MacBook (on your dime), ship it to them, and then they modify it to make it a tablet and give it back to you. This would obviously void Apple's warranty so they also likely provide support for this modified MacBook.

that sounds realistic though, as long as its not an actual "new" product that is gonna hog my true vpod time at macworld. lol

johncarync · Jan 4, 2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas04

Since when do other people.. companies make Mac hardware?

Furthermore since when do other people make computers that can run OS X.

It's all legal...
Imagine someone buying a Corvette, modifying it with a higer horsepower engine and adding a huge spoiler to the back. Then they sell it to a buyer for a higher price.

I believe OWC is purchasing MacBooks from Apple, modifying them, and then selling them for a higher price. It is completely legal. It's similar to what the Outbound computer company did in 1989 when they came out with a Macintosh portable.

Whether or not OWCs Tablet Mac is profitable for them remains to be seen.

-John

Lynxpoint · Jan 4, 2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawnce

Why? They likely make you purchase a MacBook (on your dime), ship it to them, and then they modify it to make it a tablet and give it back to you. This would obviously void Apple's warranty so they also likely provide support for this modified MacBook.

Also, if colorware can buy macs, paint them, and resell them why can't a company buy macs, change a few parts, and resell them?

MoparShaha · Jan 4, 2007, 04:45 PM

Sounds awesome. Just because Apple isn't making them, doesn't mean they're no good.

I look forward to seeing this thing in action.

Clive At Five · Jan 4, 2007, 04:45 PM

Shady but legal. I will be very interested to see how this plays out, both within the next couple days, but also in the long-term. Could this be the beginning of a new type of "legal" clone?

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelterpaw

I guess Apple can test market a tablet for free now. HA!

That much is the truth.

-Clive

Chaszmyr · Jan 4, 2007, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

they have to be pretty confident that Apple's not releasing a tablet at MWSF...

arn

I doubt they really know one way or the other. You, more than anyone, know these people don't usually get any privileged information. They're just taking a risk, and it's probably a relatively safe one.

BBC B 32k · Jan 4, 2007, 04:47 PM

can't stop laughing ...

seriously this has made my day, the only thing which will make me laugh more is if by some temperal-field-warp Apple release a tablet PC at macworld also!

Clive At Five · Jan 4, 2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynxpoint

Also, if colorware can buy macs, paint them, and resell them why can't a company buy macs, change a few parts, and resell them?

Does Colorware's paint job void the warranty?

-Clive

gkarris · Jan 4, 2007, 04:50 PM

Back in the day, before the Mac portable, one company took MacSE ROMs and made a portable....

Here:

http://www.lowendmac.com/clones/outbound.html

sweetandsour · Jan 4, 2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas04

Since when do other people.. companies make Mac hardware?

Furthermore since when do other people make computers that can run OS X.

It makes good sense. I imagine this has all been discussed and agreed with apple.

No more tablet R&D for apple, no new product support for apple, no embarrassment if no-one buys one.
But if lots of people buy one, then apple sell heaps of extra macbooks (to OWC) that they already make a good margin on for negligible extra effort.
If the market goes crazy for 'em, then apple can always make their own, having done all the market testing / user feedback for free.

Win-Win-Win situation. Smart.

Jan 4, 2007, 04:19 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Mac Tablet from OWC Other World Computing pre-announced the Axiotron ModBook today.... a 3rd party Mac "tablet computer solution". The ModBook is a Mac tablet computer solution with these features: • Write and draw directly on screen! • True pen & handwriting recognition • Built in iSight Camera • Integrated CD/DVD combo drive • The ONLY Mac solution with an optional built-in Global Positioning System • Aircraft grade magnesium alloy for all terrain use The ModBook will apparently be a heavily modified MacBook in the tablet form-factor and will be officially unveiled at Macworld Expo on January 9th. A hands-on trial of the device will be available at that time. This year, MacRumors will be posting photos and reports from Macworld booths. A Macworld San Francisco sub-forum has been opened and we encourage vendors to register and participate in the discussion of their products. Last edited by arn; Jan 4, 2007 at 04:36 PM.
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:23 PM	#2
evilgEEk macrumors 68000 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boise, Idaho	Sounds pretty cool. But I still don't think tablets are all that practical. __________________ Eff it, Dude. Let's go bowling.
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:25 PM	#4
albeik macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2003	Interesting teaser they have on there website... __________________ "Quality is not a function of time spent, but a function of the effectiveness of the effort."
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:25 PM	#5
DontBurnTheDayy macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan	Tablets suck unless they're made by Apple. __________________ Macbook Pro (rev. D) - 15"/1.83Duo/80/2GB/128
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:25 PM	#7
Texas04 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas	Since when do other people.. companies make Mac hardware? Furthermore since when do other people make computers that can run OS X. __________________ -The Tex.
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:24 PM	#3
arn macrumors god Join Date: Apr 2001	they have to be pretty confident that Apple's not releasing a tablet at MWSF... arn
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:25 PM	#6
ninjadex macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2004	Cease And Desist
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:26 PM	#8
know-it-all5 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA	Are you serious? In all seriousness, has the validity of this been checked. I checked the link and it left me a bit skeptical. Plus there is now way apple would let someone else make a computer that they have using their os. IS THIS REAL?
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:27 PM	#9
Bonte macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bruges, Belgium	I want a real clone, not a mod Changing the ROM with some PC notebooks is enough to let it install a normal MacMini osX DVD, it can't be long until someone offer's a osX compatible PC's. Right?
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:28 PM	#11
MacQuest macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: You See Dead People...	HOLY SHIZZLE!!! Like I said all throughout 2006, 2007 will be the year that Apple breaks into new markets and does to them what the iPod/iTunes combination did to the digital music player/legal online content distribution markets. Gentlemen, THIS IS WAR!!! __________________ ROFLMAO Sep 1, 2007, 12:27 AM: "You really are quite hooked on this new and great multitouch. ... So please tell me what are the benefits of the multitouch screen in iPhone[?]" FAIL meets EPIC.
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:29 PM	#12
bradc macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Canader eh	Weird, seems like a dicy move if a) Apple makes a tablet and b) Apple Legal Department.... __________________ Xserve, XRaid, Xasperated™ Pro. Go. Whoa.
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:30 PM	#13
know-it-all5 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA	This isn't gonna hog up any of the keynote right? Oh and does modbook mean they modded a macbook to be a tablet? wont apple sue them for selling modded versions of their product under their nose, and introducing it at THIR TRADESHOW?
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:33 PM	#15
shelterpaw macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2006	I guess Apple can test market a tablet for free now. HA!
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:45 PM	#19
MoparShaha macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Francisco	Sounds awesome. Just because Apple isn't making them, doesn't mean they're no good. I look forward to seeing this thing in action.
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:47 PM	#22
BBC B 32k macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London	C R A Z Y can't stop laughing ... seriously this has made my day, the only thing which will make me laugh more is if by some temperal-field-warp Apple release a tablet PC at macworld also! __________________ Phillips G7000 4K Cartridge Acorn Electron 32K tape Master Compact 128k 3.5" floppy
	0

Jan 4, 2007, 04:50 PM	#24
gkarris macrumors 604 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in a Mass-Production Zone...	Nothing new... Back in the day, before the Mac portable, one company took MacSE ROMs and made a portable.... Here: http://www.lowendmac.com/clones/outbound.html __________________ "This gate's plastic." Captain Carter, Stargate SG-1, "Touchstone"
	0

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