Axiotron Modbook
Encyclopedia
The Modbook is an after-market modification that converts an Apple MacBook
into a slate-style tablet computer
. Developed by Los Angeles, California-based Axiotron, Inc., the Modbook was introduced in the 2007 Macworld Conference & Expo
. It won a Best in Show award at that same conference. The Modbook is currently one of only two tablet-form Macs on the market. At Macworld 2009, Axiotron announced the future availability of the Modbook Pro, a larger and more powerful system based on the 15" MacBook Pro
.
As of January 2009, the Modbook uses an Intel Core 2 Duo Penryn
CPU. The CPUs have 3 MB
of L2 cache and run at a 800 MHz Front Side Bus
. The CPUs run at 2.1 GHz. The Modbook's main memory is supplied by two DDR2
DIMM
s running at 667 MHz. The basic configuration has 1 GB with the option to upgrade to as much as 4GB.
The standard Modbook has space for one primary SATA
hard drive, which can be configured up to capacities of 500 GB
, and an ATA
optical drive. The optical drive may be replaced with a secondary hard drive, although this is limited to an ATA interface and drive speeds of 5400rpm.
Connectivity options on the Modbook are identical to the underlying MacBook and include two USB 2.0 ports and a single Firewire port. Networking is supported with an integrated Gigabit Ethernet
port, a Wi-Fi
card that supports the 802.11 a/b/g/draft-n
specification and Bluetooth
. The Modbook can also be connected to an external display device using a Mini-DVI
port (supports DVI, VGA, S-video, and composite video). The system includes an integrated iSight
webcam. A modification from the original MacBook is the inclusion of a WAAS GPS
device.
The Modbook has the same size display as the MacBook, but uses a different screen more suited to use as a tablet computer. The display layer is called "AnyView", which is bonded to the pen-tracking layer called "ForceGlass". The tracking layer is the outermost, and has been chemically etched in order to improve the durability of the screen and also improve the response of the stylus. The tablet computer functionality is provided by an active digitizer, using Wacom's
Penabled technology. On the standard Modbook, input is only possible using the included stylus or by using compatible peripherals; the Modbook Pro is promised to also support finger-based "touch" input. The system uses Apple's Inkwell
software to recognize handwriting.
MacBook
The MacBook was a brand of Macintosh notebook computers built by Apple Inc. First introduced in May 2006, it replaced the iBook and 12-inch PowerBook series of notebooks as a part of the Apple–Intel transition. Positioned as the low end of the MacBook family, the Apple MacBook was aimed at the...
into a slate-style tablet computer
Tablet computer
A tablet computer, or simply tablet, is a complete mobile computer, larger than a mobile phone or personal digital assistant, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen...
. Developed by Los Angeles, California-based Axiotron, Inc., the Modbook was introduced in the 2007 Macworld Conference & Expo
Macworld Conference & Expo
Produced by Boston-based IDG World Expo, Macworld | iWorld is a trade-show with conference tracks dedicated to the Apple Macintosh platform. It is held annually in the United States, usually during the second week of January...
. It won a Best in Show award at that same conference. The Modbook is currently one of only two tablet-form Macs on the market. At Macworld 2009, Axiotron announced the future availability of the Modbook Pro, a larger and more powerful system based on the 15" MacBook Pro
MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro is a line of Macintosh portable computers introduced in January 2006 by Apple. It replaced the PowerBook G4 and was the second model, after the iMac, to be announced in the Apple–Intel transition...
.
Conversion process
The top segments of the MacBook are removed, which include the keyboard, LCD screen and camera. A glass screen cover, a new LCD screen, a sensor board, the original camera and a chrome-plated magnesium top shell are then installed. This is done either to a new-from-Apple MacBook for a device sold complete to a new owner, or to the customer's previously owned MacBook for an after-market modification.Description
As the Modbook is based on Apple's MacBook, its technical specifications are largely similar to that of the then-current revisions of the MacBook.Penryn (microprocessor)
Penryn is the code name of a processor from Intel that is sold in varying configurations as Core 2 Solo, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, Pentium and Celeron....
CPU. The CPUs have 3 MB
Megabyte
The megabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage or transmission with two different values depending on context: bytes generally for computer memory; and one million bytes generally for computer storage. The IEEE Standards Board has decided that "Mega will mean 1 000...
of L2 cache and run at a 800 MHz Front Side Bus
Front side bus
A front-side bus is a computer communication interface often used in computers during the 1990s and 2000s.It typically carries data between the central processing unit and a memory controller hub, known as the northbridge....
. The CPUs run at 2.1 GHz. The Modbook's main memory is supplied by two DDR2
DDR2 SDRAM
DDR2 SDRAM is a double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory interface. It supersedes the original DDR SDRAM specification and has itself been superseded by DDR3 SDRAM...
DIMM
DIMM
A DIMM or dual in-line memory module, comprises a series of dynamic random-access memory integrated circuits. These modules are mounted on a printed circuit board and designed for use in personal computers, workstations and servers...
s running at 667 MHz. The basic configuration has 1 GB with the option to upgrade to as much as 4GB.
The standard Modbook has space for one primary SATA
Sata
Sata is a traditional dish from the Malaysian state of Terengganu, consisting of spiced fish meat wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on a grill.It is a type of Malaysian fish cake, or otak-otak...
hard drive, which can be configured up to capacities of 500 GB
Gigabyte
The gigabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage. The prefix giga means 109 in the International System of Units , therefore 1 gigabyte is...
, and an ATA
AT Attachment
Parallel ATA , originally ATA, is an interface standard for the connection of storage devices such as hard disks, solid-state drives, floppy drives, and optical disc drives in computers. The standard is maintained by X3/INCITS committee...
optical drive. The optical drive may be replaced with a secondary hard drive, although this is limited to an ATA interface and drive speeds of 5400rpm.
Connectivity options on the Modbook are identical to the underlying MacBook and include two USB 2.0 ports and a single Firewire port. Networking is supported with an integrated Gigabit Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet is a term describing various technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second , as defined by the IEEE 802.3-2008 standard. It came into use beginning in 1999, gradually supplanting Fast Ethernet in wired local networks where it performed...
port, a Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
card that supports the 802.11 a/b/g/draft-n
IEEE 802.11
IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards for implementing wireless local area network computer communication in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands. They are created and maintained by the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee . The base version of the standard IEEE 802.11-2007 has had subsequent...
specification and Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
. The Modbook can also be connected to an external display device using a Mini-DVI
Mini-DVI
The Mini-Dvi connector is used on certain Apple computers as a digital alternative to the Mini-VGA connector. Its size is between the full-sized DVI and the tiny Micro-DVI...
port (supports DVI, VGA, S-video, and composite video). The system includes an integrated iSight
ISight
iSight is a webcam, both external and internal, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. The external iSight was sold retail for US$149, connected to a computer via a FireWire cable, and came with a set of mounts to place it atop any then-current Apple display, laptop computer, all-in-one desktop...
webcam. A modification from the original MacBook is the inclusion of a WAAS GPS
Wide Area Augmentation System
The Wide Area Augmentation System is an air navigation aid developed by the Federal Aviation Administration to augment the Global Positioning System , with the goal of improving its accuracy, integrity, and availability...
device.
The Modbook has the same size display as the MacBook, but uses a different screen more suited to use as a tablet computer. The display layer is called "AnyView", which is bonded to the pen-tracking layer called "ForceGlass". The tracking layer is the outermost, and has been chemically etched in order to improve the durability of the screen and also improve the response of the stylus. The tablet computer functionality is provided by an active digitizer, using Wacom's
Wacom
in Krefeld, Germany. Wacom is a Japanese portmanteau: Wa for "harmony" or "circle", and Komu for "computer". Wacom tablets are notable for their use of a patented cordless, battery-free, and pressure-sensitive stylus or digital pen...
Penabled technology. On the standard Modbook, input is only possible using the included stylus or by using compatible peripherals; the Modbook Pro is promised to also support finger-based "touch" input. The system uses Apple's Inkwell
Inkwell (Macintosh)
Inkwell, or simply Ink, is the name of the handwriting recognition technology developed by Apple Inc. and built into the Mac OS X operating system. Introduced in an update to Mac OS X v10.2 "Jaguar", Inkwell can translate English, French, and German writing...
software to recognize handwriting.