The ModBook Mac OS X Tablet Is Back; But It’ll Cost You $3,000 More Than A New iPad

As its name suggests, the Modbook Pro is a complete all-in-one OS X tablet computer based on conversion of an Apple MacBook Pro.

Featuring a Wacom pen tablet digitizer, the Modbook Pro offers 512 pen pressure levels, a recognition rate of 133 points per second and a recognition resolution of approximately 1/100th of a millimeter, providing a responsive pen input experience and extremely precise control of renderings.

The digitizer is custom-tuned to the electronics of the Modbook Pro and its base system, with a calibrated and fully tested radio frequency (RF) and electromagnetic shielding solution for smooth and undisrupted pen input. The Modbook Pro’s battery-less digitizer pen has two programmable side buttons and a digital eraser, and pen tucks away securely in the built-in pen garage with a magnetic catch.

The Modbook Pro’s configurable base system includes a 2.5GHz dual core Intel Core i5 processor or 2.9GHz dual core Intel Core i7 processor, up to 16GB of RAM and an Intel HD Graphics 4000 chipset for unmatched processing speed and graphics-crunching power on a tablet computer. Also included are a 64GB solid-state drive (configurable up to 480GB), an 8X SuperDrive DVD burner, a built-in 63.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery and a 60W MagSafe power adapter and port.

Available on the Modbook Pro’s input/output panel are one Gigabit Ethernet port, one FireWire 800 port, one USB 3.0 port, one Thunderbolt port, one SDXC card slot and one audio line in/out, with wireless connectivity via 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

All-SSD Architecture

Every Modbook Pro is equipped with a SATA 3 solid-state drive (SSD) as its primary internal storage device. The Modbook Pro’s original SSDs employ asynchronous or synchronous NAND technology. The Modbook Pro comes installed with a 64GB Nishara-class asynchronous SSD, and can be upgraded to a Sanshara-class synchronous SSD with up to 480GB of storage space.

With its solid-state drive, the Modbook Pro boots fast and users can save files (even large graphics files) quickly.
This speed of access and high performance will appeal to creative users working with multiple large files at the same time. In addition to their lively performance, the company says the Modbook Pro’s SSDs are fine-tuned for the highly sensitive pen tablet interface of the Modbook Pro.

Cross-Platform Capability, Maximum Software Compatibility

The Modbook Pro supports the full range of OS X Mountain Lion-compatible applications such as iTunes and iLife. Users can run OS X’s Boot Camp utility to install 32- or 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7 (sold separately) and turn their Modbook Pro into a tablet Windows PC. The Modbook Pro is the only tablet computer that can boot into both OS X and Windows 7, opening access to the whole world of available software on either platform, including Adobe Photoshop, Encore and Premiere Pro; Autodesk Sketchbook Pro and AutoCAD; Apple Aperture and Logic Pro; and Corel Painter.

One-Year Top-to-Bottom Modbook Pro Protection Plan

The Modbook Pro comes with a one-year protection plan covering the complete hardware solution, including all of the components of the MacBook Pro base system.
Users will be able to have their Modbook Pro serviced at an authorized service center (the first of which will be announced prior to the Modbook Pro’s ship date) with the assurance their system will be handled by a technician trained to handle both the Modbook Pro and its Apple base system components.

Sleek Design, Sturdy Construction

The Modbook Pro departs from traditional enclosure design in which parts are attached using frames and shells, and instead employs a unique AlphaBody design that provides superior structural strength by attaching components to a single core cut from a block of lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum (ie: Apple’s unibody). Aspects of the design are base system-independent, allowing for rapid future adjustments to the ever-changing landscape of compatible base systems. Built from a unique enclosure conversion kit, the Modbook Pro incorporates and completely encases the original hardware of a new Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch base system. Its Wacom digitizer delivers 512 levels of pen pressure sensitivity – claimed to be greater than any other tablet computer on the market. Its ForceGlass screen provides an etched, paper-emulating drawing surface.

To accomplish the inclusion of the MacBook Pro’s hardware, the Modbook Pro uses a novel ExoConnect system as the primary high-speed connection linking the Modbook Pro components to one of the MacBook Pro’s two standard USB 3.0 ports. This creates the most seamless integration possible, while the smart enclosure design permanently seals the connection and the port itself within the Modbook Pro, leaving all the other ports unobstructed. A fully standards-compliant USB device, the Modbook Pro closely follows the Apple Design Guidelines for USB high-performance peripherals. The computer ships with a Modbook Pro PortDoubler dual USB 3 hub.

Natural drawing

Durable and scratch-resistant, the Modbook Pro’s etched ForceGlass screen offers a pencil-to-paper feel for a natural drawing and writing experience.

Easy To Prop Up

Users can easily prop up the Modbook Pro on any side, and its 3D-GripFeet will prevent the machine from slipping. The computer’s distinctive sloped-edge shape and the 3D-GripFeet mean it can be propped up to 50 degrees on all sides without slipping. With its compact form factor and relatively thin profile, the Modbook Pro can easily be slipped in and out of a backpack.

The Modbook Pro has a 13.3-inch (diagonal) display with a native 1280 x 800 pixel resolution. The display, digitizer and ForceGlass screen assembly are flush-mounted, resulting in a completely level drawing area that optimizes on-screen workspace. Note, however, that the ModBook Pro does not have a touchscreen or multi-touch capabilities.

The ModBook Pro sells for a MSRP starting at $3,499.

Size and Weight
Height: 0.93 inches (2.37 cm) 6
Width: 13.86 inches (35.2 cm)
Depth: 9.65 inches (24.5 cm)
Weight: 5.5 pounds (2.51 kg)

Modbook Pro Protection Plan
Covers complete system. Includes:
– One-year manufacturer’s limited hardware warranty on Modbook Pro components
– One-year warranty-equivalent service plan on MacBook Pro base system

Modbook Inc. is not affiliated with, nor is the Modbook Pro sponsored or endorsed by, Apple Inc.

For more information, visit:
http://www.modbook.com/modbookpro