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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/798
104 MacDirectory
REVIEW | PRODUCTIVITYGAMES
MODBOOK BY AXIOTRON > THE TABLET-BASED SOLUTION
Though fans of Apple have been
clamoring for a tablet-based Mac for
years, only now has one become available
– and it's not an Apple product.
Newcomer Axiotron offers its ModBook
in two flavors: a 2.1GHz model with
1.0GB of RAM, a 120GB hard drive, and
Combo Drive; and a 2.4GHz model with
2.0GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and a
double-layer SuperDrive. Each model is
equipped with Wi-Fi, a built-in iSight
camera (tilted slightly to better catch the
user's face), and comes in a sturdy
magnesium alloy. The ModBook is
customizable to include up to 4GB of
RAM, up to 570GB of hard drive space,
and a WAAS-enabled GPS function.
Additionally, where the latch and hinges
used to be on the original, unmodified
Macbook, there are slots for upcoming
peripherals, like a stand or a wall mount.
What the ModBook doesn't come with is
a keyboard, meaning that for text input,
you have one of three choices: attach a
USB keyboard, utilize the software mini-
keyboard that comes built-in, or use
Apple's Ink technology to write directly on
the screen in your own handwriting.
However, if you've never used Ink before,
be aware that there is a learning curve to
mastering it, so if you have serious textual
applications in mind, it's best to hook up
a keyboard.
It should be mentioned that Axiotron
makes specific note of the fact that the
ModBook is primarily a graphics tablet,
and it's to this end that the software has
been configured. Having said that, then,
how does it shape up?
To begin with, the viewing angle is
comparable to Apple's own line of
laptops, though users who prefer to tilt
their drawing surface significantly away
from themselves might have visibility
issues. The screen is durable and scratch-
resistant, and will not recognize the touch
of anything other than the included pen,
so there's no need to worry about
accidental input from the casual draping
of a hand upon one corner.
Drawing and painting with the pen is as
easy and smooth as could be hoped. The
ModBook responds extremely well to both
speed and pressure, though on first start-
up, you may have to calibrate the pen
properly with the Pen Reset application.
The pen comes with 3 nibs for different
expressions: the default Studio nib for
general use; the Pencil nib for a harder
and more tactile feel; and the Felt nib,
which acts like a marker. The opposite end
of the pen is the eraser function which
erases strokes in Painter and any other
program that recognizes that input.
In fact, it works so well that there's little
more to be written about it. When you buy
the MacBook, you expect the functionality
that Axiotron espouses, and it delivers
without unnecessary fanfare, and very little
messing around with preferences. It just
works, and that's refreshing.
Being a custom order, it's easy enough to
customize the specs to fit your dream
machine. The demo unit we tested came
equipped with a full 4GB of RAM, so we
put it to the test. With both Painter and
Photoshop open, there was noticeable
lag in brush strokes, sometimes as long as
15 to 20 seconds, with subsequent strokes
rendering all at once. However, after
closing Painter, we found that Photoshop
continued to lag. Photoshop is known to
be a memory hog, but it's recommended
to not have anything else open if you're
working in it.
In all, Axiotron's ModBook is a solid
product, which will only grow more robust
as iterations develop down the line. If
you're a graphics professional who'd
prefer not to be tethered to your desk,
this is a recommended product.
WORDS BY KEONI CHAVEZ
Product Axiotron ModBook
Made by Axiotron