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Mac Tablet from OWC

Yes, this is a true tablet. http://www.thetabletmac.com used to have some 3D drawings of a tablet on their site, from a company answering their petition. I'd imagine this is that company.

Supposedly it will have Apple's blessing (and I'd imagine logo), as TheTabletMac.com said. It's supposed to have keyboard functionality too.

I believe this will live up to everyone's expectations, and more.

The screen is supposed to be generous, and it's supposed to be thin like the MBPs.
 
emaja said:
OWC is a reseller and distributor, not a manufacturer. There isn't any intellectual property to be bought.
Click to expand...
Sure there is. The design and integration of the mod is protected intellectual property, as is any proprietary hardware or software used to further enhance the product. If this company's modded MacBooks really got it right, then Apple would be obliged to purchase the design. If Apple didn't use any of the specifically protected elements, but just offered a tablet of their own design, then they'd simply starve sales of the Axiotron.

Kirkmedia said:
Of cource they're buying them directly from apple, and modifying them with
apple's blessing.
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They don't need Apple's blessing one way or the other. Unlike intangible art, manufactured goods may be modified by the purchaser however s/he sees fit, and may sell the end result free of worry.

The only issue is if the resultant product becomes so popular that it strains supplies, in which case they'd have to negotiate a bulk order deal (if they don't already have one).
 
From TheTabletMac.com (June 2005):

Link

Today we finally worked out the following FAQ and I received the picture above to be posted along with the FAQ.

Q: Will you be selling a Mac Tablet?
A: The final decision has not been made.

Q: What is the biggest obstacle for a positive decision?
A: The potential market size.

Q: How do you determine the potential market size?
A: Conventional market research and analysis.

Q: How does our online petition factor into this market research?
A: The survey data of your online petition is a valuable information source, however we'd like to see a higher number of signatures.

Q: How many signatures would be needed to convince you to produce a Mac Tablet?
A: Although your online petition is important to us, it is not the only factor weighting into our decision. But of course, the higher the number the more convincing the case.

Q: Can you describe the picture you provided us?
A: The picture shows an exploded view of some key components of the "1812B" project.

Q: What is "1812B"?
A: That is the internal code name for the pictured Mac Tablet development project.

Q: What does "1812B" mean?
A: The code name "1812B" is based on the name of John Crichton's pet DRD in the TV Series "Farscape".

Q: Judging from the picture, "1812B" appears to be a slate-style Tablet computer?
A: That is correct.

Q: What about the petition underwriters, that prefer a convertible-style Tablet computer (with built-in keyboard)?
A: "1812B" has features not visible in the picture that will satisfy their needs, too.

Q: Is this a rendering of the potentially final product?
A: No, obviously we would want to keep some surprises under wraps.

Q: Can you give us additional technical specifications about "1812B"?
A: Not at this time.

Q: With you not being Apple, how would you be producing a Mac Tablet anyways?
A: We have worked out a business case that would allow us to provide interested customers with Mac Tablet computers.

Q: Would you elaborate on that?
A: Not at this time.

Q: Why do you let me publish this information now?
A: We wanted to let you and the underwriters of your petition know that they are having an impact.

Q: What can we do to help get Mac Tablets into stores?
A: Although the survey was and continues to be a valuable information source, at this point we'd like to see a higher number of signatures.

The above FAQ sums up all information I am allowed to share at this point (I had to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement), so please don't send me emails with additional questions. As soon as I have more news to share, I will post them here immediately.
Click to expand...

NOTE: Below image was provided by "Company X", not TheTabletMac
 

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Texas04 said:
Since when do other people.. companies make Mac hardware?
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As others mentioned, it's nothing all that new, and it's even happened fairly recently with the Elo iMac mods.

Currently on the market is also the Crosley CR12-DI jukebox, which is essentially a Mac mini attached to a touch display.

Furthermore since when do other people make computers that can run OS X.
Click to expand...
These are computers Apple made, with case mods and some extra hardware added. Axiotron was started by a former Apple mangler, who (we'd hope) would know who to call to make sure the people at Apple are okay with this.
Leareth said:
How come this company is not on the Macworld Exhibitors list?
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Right here. It's a joint venture between OWC and Axiotron, the booth is registered to OWC.
 
huh?

what?? ....WHAT? so this is a piece of hardware, not sold buy apple, but branded as apple merchandise? is that not highly illegal? and why would Apple allow that? its kinda....disgusting.:mad:

EDIT:eek:k, i just read ALL of the replies, and i get it now. it still seems a little bit.....uncomfortable.
 
Chef Medeski said:
It never says that its an Apple. It just says it runs OS X.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

I'd imagine it'll carry the Axiontech name. Dunno if Apple would let them use their logo. At best I suppose they could get Apple to sell it.

It sounds like they have a licensing agreement, so I'm all for it.
 
sushi said:
It's legit. No way would Apple allow them to present at MWSF if it was something other than a legitimate offering.
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It's not up to Apple to allow or not allow anything.
It is not an Apple event. It is a MacWorld event
 
How is this any different from the Saline Mustang concept? A small company in California buys cars from Ford, modifies them and resells them as "Saline Mustangs". I think Apple will actually be very supportive because it shows the creativity and drive of Mac users. If they for some reason get upset, they are just being a poor sport. Apple couldn't deliver a tablet in a timely manor, so someone else went out and did it on their own. I give props to OWC or whomever is making these. :p
 
so this is a company thinking about maybe possibly perhaps if enough people like the idea, they will modify a macbook to do this for a whole bunch of money?

next story please....:rolleyes:
 
matticus008 said:
Sure there is. The design and integration of the mod is protected intellectual property, as is any proprietary hardware or software used to further enhance the product. If this company's modded MacBooks really got it right, then Apple would be obliged to purchase the design. If Apple didn't use any of the specifically protected elements, but just offered a tablet of their own design, then they'd simply starve sales of the Axiotron.


They don't need Apple's blessing one way or the other. Unlike intangible art, manufactured goods may be modified by the purchaser however s/he sees fit, and may sell the end result free of worry.

The only issue is if the resultant product becomes so popular that it strains supplies, in which case they'd have to negotiate a bulk order deal (if they don't already have one).
Click to expand...


Look at Colorwarepc.com.
They sell new modded iPod and iMacs. Exact same deal as the tablet.
 
freeny said:
so this is a company thinking about maybe possibly perhaps if enough people like the idea, they will modify a macbook to do this?
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They say that they will have hands-on demos at MWSF, so they must have some working examples already built. The technology isn't exactly new or exotic, it's Wacom hardware.
 
iMeowbot said:
They say that they will have hands-on demos at MWSF, so they must have some working examples already built. The technology isn't exactly new or exotic, it's Wacom hardware.
Click to expand...

I guess people figured they were tired of waiting for apple to do this so they went ahead and made their own. funny.
 
freeny said:
so this is a company thinking about maybe possibly perhaps if enough people like the idea, they will modify a macbook to do this for a whole bunch of money?

next story please....:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

no... they are releasing a tablet that they have produced. No maybe possible perhaps. 9th we are going to find out just how nice of a package it really is and for what price.
 
Well, from the pictures, we can assume two things:

1. It has a slot-loading DVD drive.

2. It has a 12" screen, probably 1440x900 resolution. Look at the Axiotron veiled pic. Compare it to the 13.3" MacBook screen.
 
Here is a home-made version of the same thing, it might help people to understand just what's being sold here. The main difference in a commercial product would be a proper case.
 
Is it widescreen?

Looking from the veiled image on Axiotron's site, it looks like a 4x3 aspect ratio? I've been dying for years for a tablet that runs OS X. If this thing is 16:9, they'd have me buying one at the first possible chance, regardless of price.
 
this is funny, especially from reading the previous macrumors article talking about steve saying that tablet pcs don't work.
 
Chef Medeski said:
no... they are releasing a tablet that they have produced. No maybe possible perhaps.
Click to expand...

it clearly says this-

Q: Will you be selling a Mac Tablet?
A: The final decision has not been made.

Q: What is the biggest obstacle for a positive decision?
A: The potential market size.

So yes, they may possibly maybe perhaps make it if enough people like the idea:rolleyes:

A few working prototypes at macworld does not mean "releasing a tablet they have produced"
They are simply testing the waters.
 
jnadke said:
Well, from the pictures, we can assume two things:

1. It has a slot-loading DVD drive.

2. It has a 12" screen, probably 1440x900 resolution. Look at the Axiotron veiled pic. Compare it to the 13.3" MacBook screen.
Click to expand...
The screen is at an angle so it would be hard to get a very accurate eyeing of the exact length since your eyes can decieve. Also, the iBook 12" has its power input right above the CD slot. The picture shows no power over the CD slot which means that it has to be a Macbook since its the only laptop that was created with just the slot on that one side.
 
freeny said:
it clearly says this-

Q: Will you be selling a Mac Tablet?
A: The final decision has not been made.

Q: What is the biggest obstacle for a positive decision?
A: The potential market size.

So yes, they may possibly maybe perhaps make it if enough people like the idea:rolleyes:

A few working prototypes at macworld does not mean "releasing a tablet they have produced"
They are simply testing the waters.
Click to expand...

Thats from the website : The Tablet Mac. A site that lobbied and even partially designed a tablet years ago.

This product is created by a different company and actually is going to be going on sale on the 9th as it says on their website. They have developed a product, Tablet Mac is some bygone website that merely links to the modern product cause they have nothing else to show.
 
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