Mac ModBOOK!

Mike Lucey · 31 Mar 2008, 23:54

Third-party modifications turn MacBook into a tablet computer
http://www.macworld.com/article/55066/2007/01/modbook_fl.html
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook

Well if Apple won't do it !

Mike

fbartels · 1 Apr 2008, 00:14

Also see...

http://e3.video.blip.tv/1620002230515/Macmost-MacMostNow31TheModbookTabletMac612.mp4

remus · 1 Apr 2008, 06:06

Thats some pretty serious modding! i dont think id ever have the balls to chop up such an expensive computer and quite possibly doom it to the bin.

pav_3j · 1 Apr 2008, 07:37

bye bye keyboard shortcuts

pav

Mike Lucey · 1 Apr 2008, 20:43

Thanks for the video link Fred. It was interesting to see
the ModBook close up. I think this could be a good way for
apple to go in the future.

Pav, I think it would be possible to plug in a USB keyboard
for working on SU and other programs that utilised keyboard
shortcuts.

The ideal configuration would be a swivel screen, like the
Toshiba laptops have. This would offer the best of both worlds.

Mike

remus · 1 Apr 2008, 20:45

How aobut something like this ?

Would be extremely cool if they eer came out with something like that.

fbartels · 1 Apr 2008, 21:13

Mike,

This video would indicate Apple supports the concept.

Macworld 2008: Modbook - 10 Top Rated World Greatest TV Shows

Running time: 02:22 Download MOV file Kendra Arimoto visits the Modbook booth at Macworld. Direct Download

10 Top Rated World Greatest TV Shows (www.pixelcorps.tv)

Fred

Mike Lucey · 1 Apr 2008, 22:14

Thanks for the links guys. It seems that Apple are on-board
with its development. I would not be surprised if they buy
the company and take it forward .... err maybe buy shares

The company is obviously using the newly launched Wacom table,
12" I think.

Some nice words in both videos! 'the city becomes fertile once more'
and 'drive a pen'

Mike

lewiswadsworth · 1 Apr 2008, 22:16

A friend of mine is mentioned in the video Fred has linked above: Bryan Cantley, an architect and professor of architecture in California, has evolved a whole theory of "digital" paper using this sort of tablet product and SketchUp. They actually had him talking about it at Macworld, where they gave him an updated Modbook.

Here's a link to some of the recent work he did in this idiom:

http://web.mac.com/form.u.la/FIEDAD2007/00.html

No, I'm not sure I can explain it, but it is done with SketchUp. Bryan's becoming well-known in the field of theoretical architecture (he was given a grant for that project), but I'll drop him a line and see if he will explain here how SketchUp and Modbooks work into his idea of Digital Paper.

Form1uLA · 1 Apr 2008, 23:32

BTW, Tablet Kiosk, a Tablet PC manufacturer, is developing a 15" tablet PC for early next year.

Form1uLA · 1 Apr 2008, 23:35

Hello everyone- This is Bryan Cantley/Form:uLA.. Lewis' friend. Happy to discuss my work in terms of the tablet if anyone is interested.

Mike- In my in-depth talks with Axiotron, they think Apple will NOT gobble them up, as their hardware is stylus-centric, and all future Apple tablets [yes, I said Apple Tablets!] will be finger-centric via the iphone touch screen. So they think they are "safe" and non-competitive.

Happy to discuss my PROS and CONS of my time with the Modbook...

lewiswadsworth · 2 Apr 2008, 01:15

Hi Bryan...welcome to SCF.

Bryan has a great many interesting projects produced with SketchUp and similar applications.

Where is the architecture subforum, Mike? Besides discussing these tablet PCs, we should point Bryan there. I've been busy the last few days/weeks and suddenly I can't find it on the main index page, even though I can find my posts in it.

Mike Lucey · 2 Apr 2008, 11:12

Yes indeed, welcome Bryan. I viewed the link Lewis posted
on your work. Very interesting, it will take a further visit
to understand what you are creating here

Lewis, I suppose the the SketchUp Gallery you are talking about,
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewforum.php?f=81
Mmmm I wonder should there be a dedicated Architecture Forum?
I don't know. Management is at present looking at ways to
rationalise the big number of forums that we have. In time we
will get it right

Mike

lewiswadsworth · 2 Apr 2008, 14:14

@mike lucey said:

Lewis, I suppose the the SketchUp Gallery you are talking about,
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewforum.php?f=81
Mmmm I wonder should there be a dedicated Architecture Forum?
I don't know. Management is at present looking at ways to
rationalise the big number of forums that we have. In time we
will get it right

Mike

Actually, there is an Architecture subforum...I knew I wasn't hallucinating (about that, anyway). It is just isolated from the rest of this in a strange way, and I had missed the instructions on how to access it...you have to add it to your usergroups under the User Control Panel. Here's the welcome thread:

301 Moved Permanently

(www.sketchucation.com)

Sorry to get off-topic...in this thread, Julian was nice enough to supply a website that would allow me to adapt my Asus eee to have a touch screen:

301 Moved Permanently

(www.sketchucation.com)

I haven't looked yet, but I bet there is a way to turn it into a stylus-based system as well...of course, that's the more-time-than-sense alternative to something as capable as a Modbook.