The only new Mac at the Macworld Expo a couple weeks ago was actually not from Apple, but from Axiotron and Other World Computing. The ModBook is the first Mac tablet ever built; we had a chance to take a look at in our Expo Spotlight video, but now Jon Seff (above, striking his best modeling pose) over at Macworld has gotten a pre-production to unit to take for a spin (they’ve also posted a little video demoing the unit).
The results? Impressive for certain kinds of work, like graphics and design, the ModBook falls down somewhat when it comes to everyday tasks like word processing, despite the use of OS X’s built-in handwriting recognition. As Jon points out, this is hardly the market that Axiotron and OWC are going after: if you want to do your word processing, get a MacBook.
The tablet features seem quite impressive, however, despite the fact that some pieces of functionality are still missing, like the ability rotate the screen from landscape to portrait orientation. The ModBook will also be offering an integrated GPS unit, which is pretty darn spiffy in and of itself. All of this, of course, comes at a premium: the base ModBook goes for $2,279, more than a grand over the base MacBook price of $1,099. But if you’re one of the folks who’s been clamoring for a Mac tablet ever since the Newton bit the dust, the ModBook looks like a worthy option.
