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Is it me or does Axiotron's Modbook not blow this away?

C

cualexander

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 3, 2006
567
96
Charlotte, NC
To people who want a full-scale tablet computer. The modbook has been doing this for years now. It's only $1649, which for what you get isn't bad at all.

What are people's thoughts on this. Modbook vs iPad?

iPad=Cheaper, but less features. I already have an iPhone, why do I need a device that has the same features.

I'm seriously considering a Modbook at the moment.(And no, I don't work the company, I just always thought it was cool.)

http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=overview
 
iCheddar

iCheddar

macrumors 6502a
Apr 30, 2007
662
13
South Dakota
Does the Modbook support multi-touch, and does it have an onscreen keyboard that is passably decent?

If it does, I could consider getting on board with that.

My biggest gripe and disappointment with the iPad is the OS. I think the hardware looks and sounds great, but the fact that its running a bastardized version of the iPhone OS kills me.
 
iCheddar

iCheddar

macrumors 6502a
Apr 30, 2007
662
13
South Dakota
A 1ghz processor is fine. Don't get too caught up on the megahertz myth. Besides, the Apple TV runs OS X well enough.

I would've much rather seen a slightly toned down version of OSX than a higher res version of the iPhone OS.

If this were branded as a tablet computer, it would be running similar specs to what it has as an iTampon, just with a full fledged OS. The biggest trouble in my opinion for this device is the fact that it doesn't run a free OS, we have to remain locked into Apple's app store.

Don't get me wrong, for an iWhatever device, like the iPod Touch or the iPhone, the app store was fine, but I SO wish that Apple had decided to make the iPad a computer, and not an iThing.

Where is finder, where is my ability to choose what apps I want to use? What I really want is this hardware, this form factor, but with the ability to run Firefox, or Adium, or VLC. But instead we're stuck in the gimmicky world of fart apps and modal usage. On a device this big, the ability to multitask is crucial. When I'm on a netbook, I can multitask. I can run a music player, a browser, an email client, and do it all at the same time. With this thing, and the iPhone OS, you can't.

Steve, I am disappoint.

Edit: Sorry I went into a rant there. tl;dr Modbook is better.
 
dmr727

dmr727

macrumors G4
Dec 29, 2007
10,665
5,763
NYC
It's two completely different markets. If you don't understand what I mean by that, then the iPad definitely isn't for you.
 
iCheddar

iCheddar

macrumors 6502a
Apr 30, 2007
662
13
South Dakota
What markets are these products in? Professionals who don't feel like buying a Cintiq? Weirdos who like the idea of an iPod Touch XL?

The Modbook is great because it runs OS X, but doesn't have multi-touch. The iPad is great because its small and light and cheap, but doesn't have OS X.
 
dmr727

dmr727

macrumors G4
Dec 29, 2007
10,665
5,763
NYC
iCheddar said:
Weirdos who like the idea of an iPod Touch XL?
Click to expand...

Exactly. But Apple is betting that there are a ton of weirdos out there. For $500, I think Apple is right. My MBP is great for my computing needs, but when I'm on the road, all I need is a simple media device that keeps me connected via the standard internet tools - web, e-mail, Facebook, etc. My iPhone is perfect for that, with the exception of the screen. Apple solved that problem for me. For what I do, I can now leave my MBP at home.

I'm not saying that you're wrong and this device is for everybody, but for me, I think it'll be great. I guess the next question is how many weirdos like me are out there?
 
spinnerlys

spinnerlys

Guest
Sep 7, 2008
14,328
7
forlod bygningen
What I find odd in all those threads about the "poor" iPad, is that the iPad is seen as something it isn't it.

It is aimed at consumers, meaning people who consume, something the iPad offers in quite a good way, watching moving images, reading webpages and books, maybe even magazines, listening to music, gaming. That's how people consume media, and the iPad offers that in a convenient matter. And I'm glad there is no Flash on it, have you watched YouTube videos via HTML 5 yet? What god-sent that is.

And as the iPhone/iPod Touch gained functionality with all the third party apps, the iPad will also gain a lot of functionality with specialised apps for non-consumers.

It will not fill the whole hole for many, but it will fill enough for many more.

There may even be a third-party stylus one day, which will allow handwriting input for those special occasions (I imagine something in the field of science-medicine right now, but there are other fields of course.).

The ModBook, as nice as it is, is just a pimped MacBook with a touchscreen.

The iPad will eventually gain a lot of functionality over time, and once it will support multi-tasking, it will gain a lot more.


But to make this short (how anyway?), I would have liked an iPad with Mac OS X (toned down of course, as even 1GHz can not tame that animal) and at least one USB port for data transfer (for those occasions, wireless is not an option).
 
stubeeef

stubeeef

macrumors 68030
Aug 10, 2004
2,715
4
I actually went back to look at the modbook a couple of hours ago, it is more of what I want and need. Mind you it will run near $2k with the extras I want and 3yr warranty, but iPad will not (apps still pending) do the hauling I need while on the road. I drive between 40-50,000 yr and the GPS on the modbook means something to me-as well as the optical drive, 500gb hd, and all the connectivity.
iPad is more toy than tool for my world.
I am dissapointed-I want a laptop alternative-not nitch filler.
 
B

bossxii

macrumors 68000
Nov 9, 2008
1,754
0
Kansas City
dmr727 said:
Exactly. But Apple is betting that there are a ton of weirdos out there. For $500, I think Apple is right. My MBP is great for my computing needs, but when I'm on the road, all I need is a simple media device that keeps me connected via the standard internet tools - web, e-mail, Facebook, etc. My iPhone is perfect for that, with the exception of the screen. Apple solved that problem for me. For what I do, I can now leave my MBP at home.

I'm not saying that you're wrong and this device is for everybody, but for me, I think it'll be great. I guess the next question is how many weirdos like me are out there?
Click to expand...

Millions

This for all intents and purposes is Apple's "netbook" It doesn't need a full OS for people who only want to spend $500 bucks on a device. Ask 100 people looking at a netbook what they will use it for... same answer over and over. Web, email, watch movies/video. I can't wait to have my Slingbox app launch as I lay in bed to watch some TV on this thing. Talk about a bada$$ 10" TV!
 
marksman

marksman

macrumors 603
Jun 4, 2007
5,764
5
bossxii said:
Millions

This for all intents and purposes is Apple's "netbook" It doesn't need a full OS for people who only want to spend $500 bucks on a device. Ask 100 people looking at a netbook what they will use it for... same answer over and over. Web, email, watch movies/video. I can't wait to have my Slingbox app launch as I lay in bed to watch some TV on this thing. Talk about a bada$$ 10" TV!
Click to expand...

This is what most of the jugheads on this forum don't get.

This was never intended to be a full computing solution. That people wet dreamed about it being one doesn't change that fact.

As you noted most people who buy those netbooks are looking for some basic things. this iPad does those things and then some in a very nice package.

Netbooks actually suck for what they are used for, mostly, and I think a large part of that audience would prefer something like this over the iPad. Only time will tell, but it seems like the likely outcome.

It is funny too because you hear people touting Apple making their own mobile chips, and they have seperated themselves from everyone else in terms of hardware and software. Nobody else could duplicate what the iPad does for the same price.

Of course we will see that too. After Apple moves a million or two units the clones will be coming to work and the biggest companies in the electronic world will be coming out with their rip-off tablets, and all of them will be off center, and most of them will probably not be as affordable, or if so, will be seriously lacking.

Sure they will do flash and some might even have a stupid camera on them, but for the normal people they will stick with their superior iPad will the self-lickers will enjoy their cutting edge cool kid tablet that nobody else uses because it sucks like a netbook.
 
B

Buzz Bumble

Guest
Oct 19, 2008
802
2
New Zealand
MacRumorUser said:
iPad $499
Modbook $1649

Your point ?
Click to expand...

They're also very different products - one's a full computer and the other is a larger iPod Touch. They're aimed at different users with different needs - Apples vs oranges, or perhaps more accurately Granny Smiths vs Galas. You may as well complain that an iPod Nano isn't as powerful as a MacPro. :rolleyes:
 
N

ndriver182

macrumors 6502a
Jun 26, 2007
569
4
bossxii said:
Millions

This for all intents and purposes is Apple's "netbook" It doesn't need a full OS for people who only want to spend $500 bucks on a device. Ask 100 people looking at a netbook what they will use it for... same answer over and over. Web, email, watch movies/video. I can't wait to have my Slingbox app launch as I lay in bed to watch some TV on this thing. Talk about a bada$$ 10" TV!
Click to expand...

+1
 
dukebound85

dukebound85

macrumors Core
Jul 17, 2005
19,167
4,165
5045 feet above sea level
Peace said:
Doesn't have native multi-touch and costs you
$1100 for you Mac plus $600 for the mod= $1700

the Pad is $699
Click to expand...

It does have GPS and full fledged OSX

If you are using an older mb, like me, who is looking at both a new laptop and a tablet, then 600 for the conversion isn't a big deal

Something to consider and would be imo, a much more flexible device than the ipad

since when is cost a factor with apple users lol
 
A

admanimal

macrumors 68040
Apr 22, 2005
3,531
2
Why would I buy a Modbook if I already have a Macbook Pro? Just slapping a touch screen on a device/software that was not meant for one adds zero value to me.
 
M

MikeyTree

macrumors 6502
Jan 5, 2007
295
0
MacRumorUser said:
iPad $499

Modbook $1649
Click to expand...
iPad 1.5 lbs

Modbook 5.3 lbs

They're different types of devices. If you want something that you can carry around with you everywhere, the modbook is too big and heavy.

For the price a Modbook costs, I'd rather buy a macbook pro and an iPad.
 
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