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News & Opinion
Modbook Is Back: Modbook Pro a Full OS X
Tablet
PR: As its name affirms, the Modbook Pro is a complete
all-in-one OS X tablet computer based on conversion of an Apple MacBook
Pro.
The Modbook is back, this time as a pro model.
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 2.5 GHz dual
core Intel Core i5 processor or 2.9 GHz dual core Intel Core i7
processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 4000 for unmatched
processing speed and graphics-crunching power on a tablet computer.
Also included are a 64 GB solid-state drive (configurable up to 480
GB), 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 WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0.
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 64 GB Nishara-class asynchronous SSD, and can be
upgraded to a Sanshara-class synchronous SSD with up to 480 GB 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.
The new Modbook Pro with stylus.
Cross-Platform Capability, Maximum Software Compatibility
The Modbook Pro supports the full range of OS X 10.8 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 (i.e.: 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 13.3" MacBook Pro
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 AppleDesign 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° 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" (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 onscreen workspace. Note, however, that the Modbook
Pro does not have a touchscreen or multitouch capabilities.
The Modbook Pro sells for a MSRP starting at $3,499.
Size and Weight
- Height: 0.93 inches (2.37 cm)
- 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.
Publisher's note: The original
Modbook, unveiled in 2007, was based on the consumer MacBook and
began shipping in 2008. dk
Link: Modbook Pro
Theft Prevention and Recovery Tactics to Keep Your
MacBook Safe
mac.tutsplus.com's Johnny Winter notes that many laptop thieves are
opportunists who will steal your Mac, given the opportunity, if it is
left alone at the coffee shop, in the workplace, in your car, or even
in your home. He notes that there are deterrents you can use to prevent
your Mac from being stolen as well as built-in technology that can be
employed to locate your Mac - and even who is using it. Winter examines
the deterrents and technology to help prevent the theft of your Mac
(desktops too) in the first place, and techniques to facilitate its
recovery should it be stolen.
Publisher's note: One option Winter doesn't mention is setting up
your Mac to require a password to log in to your user account at
startup. Not prevention, per se, but it could keep thieves from
accessing your files. dk
Link: How to Keep Your
MacBook Safe: Theft Prevention and Recovery Tactics
Don't Ditch Your Laptop for an iPad Yet
Business Insider's Dylan Love affirms that he loves his iPad, but
it's not about to replace his laptop anytime soon, citing four
shortcomings in particular that prevent the iPad from becoming a
satisfactory main computing device. They are, briefly paraphrased:
- Typing limitations of the onscreen keyboard and the hassle of
carrying/pairing a Bluetooth KB with the iPad
- Limited connectivity with peripherals.
- Inability to display multiple application or document windows
side-by-side.
- Inability to run a full-fledged desktop OS to support productivity
applications.
Editor's note: I agree, and would add the lack of mouse driver
support and support for real multitasking, and that interestingly,
Microsoft's forthcoming Surface tablet computer will be hamstrung by
none of those things. cm
Link: Why You Shouldn't
Ditch Your Laptop for an iPad . . . Yet
Tech Trends
Ultraslim Laptops to Account for 1/4 of Mobile PC
Market
PR: Ultraslim laptop computer shipments will grow from 3.4
million in 2011 to 65 million by 2015 - one-quarter of mobile PC
shipments, according to the NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Mobile PC
Shipment and Forecast Report. The mobile PC landscape is transforming
from a performance-driven market to a convenience-driven market, where
easy access to content and usage are the new preferred
characteristics.
This fundamental change in preference is most noticeable in the
slowing demand for notebook PCs and the increasing demand for tablet
PCs. Tablet PC shipments are expected to exceed notebook PC shipments
by 2016. Notebook PC players are responding by adopting the features of
tablets that consumers have appreciated the most.
Tablet PCs have offered consumers what they have been requesting
from the notebook market for years, instant-on activation, long battery
life, and sleeker designs," says Richard Shim, Senior Analyst with NPD
DisplaySearch. "These attributes are the basis for enabling greater and
easier accessibility to content and services. Ultraslim PCs* are the
notebook market's response to tablets and aim to balance performance
and convenience."
Ultraslim PC adoption has been modest to date due to premium pricing
and a lack of differentiation from standard notebooks. Prices have
gradually decreased and adoption is expected to ramp up in 2013 as new
processors aid in the achievement of more convenience-oriented
computing.
In addition, maturing ultra-slim PC panel production processes will
lower material costs and premium prices. A combination of improvements
in thinner glass manufacturing and handling, as well as assembly of
panels, will improve yields and lower the cost of panels, one of the
most expensive components in an ultra-slim PC.
As part of its continued efforts to follow the development of
emerging mobile PC form factors, NPD DisplaySearch has launched a
one-time report, Ultra-Slim PCs: The
Notebook Market's Response to Tablets detailing how the notebook
market is realigning to offer more convenience-oriented features. The
report examines how the evolution of ultra-slim PCs is different from
the evolution of the mini-note PC, and why ultra-slim PCs will have a
different fate.
NPD DisplaySearch will update the Quarterly Mobile PC Shipment and Forecast
Report to cover quarterly shipment tracking and forecasting for
ultra-slim PCs, in addition to standard notebook PCs, mini-note PCs
(a.k.a. netbooks), and tablet PCs.
The NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly
Mobile PC Shipment and Forecast Report covers the entire range of
mobile PC products shipped worldwide and regionally. With analysis of
global and regional brands, the Quarterly Mobile PC Shipment and
Forecast Report provides an objective, expert view of the market with
insight into historical shipments, revenues, forecasts, and more.
Link:
Ultra-Slim PCs to Account for a Quarter of the Mobile PC Market by
2015, According to NPD DisplaySearch
Products & Services
Slappa Offers October Special Free Shipping
on All Models
PR: Slappa's Free Shipping offer applies only to orders
placed at http://www.slappa.com
and only on orders that ship standard ground in the continental USA.
Any orders that ship outside the continental USA and orders that ship
using a method other than ground, will be charged regular shipping
prices.
Offer expires 10/31/2012 @ midnight PST.
Bargain 'Books
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