It's a portable tablet computer called the MODBOOK by a company called AXIOTRON. They take a stock Intel dual core Apple Macbook (not a macbook pro) and replace the flip-top monitor and keyboard with a Wacom digitizer screen that's placed under reinforced plexiglass and framed in a tough magnesium alloy chassis. The digitizer and pen is identical to the one on Wacom's incredibly hard to get and expensive CINTIQ tablet monitor.
The result is a machine that everyone, at least in my industry has been clamouring for for quite some time now. For my purposes, it will enable me to digitally design and storyboard directly into the computer without the hassle of scanning. (although my love for real media will continue so it doesn't completely eliminate scanning) Plus i've since ran out of storage room for reams and reams of storyboarded material in my house, so it should help cut down on paper usage. As far as the drawing surface, the forceglass on top of the digitizer has been precisely etched to mimic the feedback of paper. This makes all the difference because it will directly affect how much pen pressure is applied in any particular stroke. (On regular tablet PC's, it feels like you're dragging a pencil on plain glass)
Another cool feature (which came free if you where one of the lucky ones that got to pre-order) is an optional Global Positioning System (GPS). This should come in handy should I be sketching and going walk-about and happen to get lost in the middle of nowhere for no apparent reason. In reality i'm actually pretty good with directions but i'm sure this is one i'll be breaking out at parties and such saying "hey there, wanna check out my GPS?"
Of course, all of this comes with a pretty hefty price tag. But I was willing to shell out $2400 for a Cintiq anyway. For about the same price, I get a free computer to come with it.
So how do you write nasty-grams and send email without a keyboard? I mean you're really not telling me I paid that much money to scribble the letters myself? Of course a portable mini-keyboard is probably one accessory i'll be lugging in my gig bag, but thanks to Apple's INKWELL software (now just plainly called INK) you can use your regular chicken-scratch of a handwriting to create text to use in any application. I'm sure muscle memory from writing secret code on your etch-a-sketch when you where six will come back anyway.
Personally, I just can't wait to get my hands on this baby. In the meantime, the good people at Axiotron and OTHER WORLD COMPUTING who are the exclusive distributors of the Modbook have happily obliged some colleagues with an actual demo next week. I hope to post some pictures and further details then.
Detailed product info and technical specs on the Modbook can be found here, here and here.
Better yet, wanna see the Modbook in Action? Where would we be without YouTube?....
5 comments:
Looks like a super fun piece of equipment there. I'm sure you're going to enjoy it! (and we bloggers will enjoy what will be drawn on it too!)
Hey Amelia,
I'll be sure to post the first drawing when I get the darn thing but I guess I won't be receiving it for another month. I could really use it just about now due to all this digital sketching i'm doing using an archaic Wacom graphire tablet.
It might as well be a rock and chisel.
Dude! I fully expect you to bring that baby in with you on your first day at work!!
Gonna be nice to be working with ya again, man!
Hey Chris!
OWC won't be shipping mine until late April so it'll be a while but i'll definitely bring it in when I get it!
Looking forward to working with you again as well!
Has your Modbook shipped yet? I saw them saying its not going to be shipping till june!!!
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