For some reason, I’ve been getting quite a few comments and questions about the Modbook recently. (The Modbook is a Macbook computer that’s been modified into a tablet computer. They are sold by a company called Axiotron.) Not sure why I’ve been getting so much renewed interest and curiosity lately – maybe a lot of artists are contemplating tablets with the release of the iPad. But anyway, I thought it was about time to post an update about my opinions and advice about the Modbook and clear up some things that I’ve said previously.
I use a Modbook as my main workhorse. I bought one back when they were first released in 2008. You can read my very first review here. I also posted an updated review in 2009 here.
Overall, I’ve been very happy with it. I only had one major issue with a bloated battery that I had to replace (which I think is a common Macbook problem). Other than that, I’ve been using it almost daily for professional work. It’s speedy, handy, convenient, and still going strong.
But to answer the burning question that everyone likes to ask me:
Do you recommend that I buy a Modbook?
In a word, no.
Why?
Here’s the thing – the Modbook is an awesome product, but the company Axiotron has been less than reliable. They first announced the Modbook in 2007, saying they would ship units in a few months; customers didn’t receive their Modbooks for over a year. Orders continued to be slow for quite some time afterwards until they caught up.
Then in 2009, Axiotron announced the Modbook Pro. I was extremely excited to see them upgrading their product and moving forward. However, as of now, it STILL has not seen the light of day. Two years, and no sign of the Modbook Pro. (As I write this post, their website says “planned for release in first quarter of 2011″, which passed a month ago.)
So the Modbook hasn’t received a major update since it’s release in 2008. Even if the Modbook Pro were to be released today (and I had an extra $5000 to spare) I would not buy one simply because I would be too unsure about future updates and reliability with the company. My next big purchase will probably be a Cintiq tablet.
That being said, if you want to buy the current Modbook, I don’t think it would be a total waste. Like I said, I’m very happy with mine and it’s been solid for me. Keep in mind however that you are buying a computer that’s several years old. The Modbooks are built from the older generation “white” Macbooks, not the current model. If you’d asked me a few years ago, I would have said “yes, buy one” but nowadays it’s hard for me to recommend a computer that was built in 2008-2009. In computer years, that’s fairly old, and given the history there won’t be an update anytime soon.
Should I buy an iPad instead?
That’s another question that I receive A LOT. And along with it: Is the iPad good enough for professional artwork?
I said this in my first review of the iPad – it makes a GREAT sketching tool. The quality and functionality of the iPad and the art-making software available is way beyond what I thought it would be for such a new device. However, it is short of the Modbook in its ability to make professional work. The iPad is meant to be operated by the touch of a finger, not a stylus, and although there are various styluses being made that make drawing on the iPad easier, it is not the same as a Wacom tablet. The precision and pressure-sensitivity is not there. Lots of the art apps also don’t create high-res images that are suitable for pro work. So, if you’re thinking the iPad is a cheaper, more reliable alternative to the Modbook, you’ll be disappointed. (Although it’s still a great product and you should buy one – just not for drawing.)
However, given how fast technology moves, especially when you’re talking about Apple, I think we are only a few hardware/software updates away from getting that kind of functionality on the iPad. At the rate Axiotron is going, we’ll probably see it before we ever get a Modbook update.
I’m with you. I was floored when the Modbook was released and have continued to hold out hope for the Pro, even to the point where I check for updates weekly, but to no avail. For something with such promise this really was a let down.
Hmm….
For about 2 grand… just wondering the stockpile of watercolors, Dip pens, Inks, brushes and Arches watercolor papers one could get. Plus a scanner to make them “digital”.
Well I am old fashioned. Need to smell the paint and ink, and got to scratch the paper with that nib. :)
When it came out, the Modbook was exactly what I was looking for.Then as I scoured the web, I heard nothing but problems(repairs, scratches, etc.)I too, was excited about the Modbook Pro, but nothing ever came of it.Later the Ipad came out. It was a portable computer, yes, but not designed for artists. The Cintiq was there but way too expensive.
But the Modbook’s main advantage, from what I’ve heard, is portability. A Cintiq may be a precise tool, but it’s a pain to set up. You at least need a netbook, and the Cintiq had a bunch of wires to get in the way.
There’s obviously a market for these products, but Apple hasn’t seen the light yet. As for me, I will wait and see what Apple does in the future.
I would recommend a tablet PC which is Wacom “penabled”. There are specific types which are. I have an old thinkpad and it still works great w/ Sketchbook Pro. It’s not powerful enough to run Adobe software but great to sketch on and transfer to your mac for final painting.
I’m a mac person myself so I’d prefer a mac. I wish apple would make an artist’s laptop like this as that’s a lot of their audience.
I am a Modbook owner since the early days and I am glad I have it sort of but would never buy a second one.
Would I recommend anyone else buy one? No! No! No! Definitely do not. Axiotron is lousy with support. I have had a on/off switch issue since day one. They prefer to give advice rather than fix it properly and the great Apple support no longer applies to the rest of the machine. Axiotron as a company is unreliable and has no idea about customer support.
Besides that the Modbook is way too heavy.
Would I recommend an iPad? Yes but only if you buy a stylus. In the last few months several really good pen style and brush style stylus’s have come on the market and the original Pogo is still good. With a stylus it is great. Recommend ArtRage on it but various other apps are also worth having including some simple vector drawing apps. iPad is the equivalent of a sketch pad and is used for the same purposes indoors and evenings etc but not in bright sunlight outdoors.
Better than a Modbook and cheaper too is a Wacom Cintiq. Modbook is no better since it is too heavy and too short a battery life to be really portable and the Cintiq has a better screen and way better brushes. Cintiq plus iPad is a perfect combination.
Windows tablets are only better than the Modbook in that company service levels are better but they suffer from the same problems of weight and short battery life. iPad is better than any of them in my opinion.
I would love an actual Apple tablet solution, perhaps one built around the MacBook Air 11″ framework, that would allow me to do more in depth work than what the iPad does. The art apps that are available for the iPad are truly amazing for their features, performance, and price, however it’s not the solution I’d been hoping for before it was launched. I’ve found it immensely useful, but not for finishing artwork.
No, I don’t dismiss the iPad as a toy. Not at all. But it’s a sketchbook when what I’d fully exploit is a mobile studio. Sadly, it seems Apple has dismissed the professional end of the spectrum from the company’s concept of tablet use. I know they have at least three patents in play for pressure sensitivity on the iPad, but I’ve no clear indication they will go into production in a usable time frame.
Because I see no real hope in sight for a professional Apple slate (or even iPad Pro!), I’m considering the Asus EP121 that just recently launched. It’s Windows-based, but that doesn’t put me off (too) much. Far more powerful than the ModBook, and despite the potential hiccups with Windows 7 on a combination touch/pressure screen, seemingly much more reliable. Only 256 levels of pressure on it’s Wacom-penabled screen (as are most tablet PCs) and no tilt sensitivity, but capable of running full blown apps (Painter, Photoshop, ArtRage, ZBrush, etc.)
Something to consider if you’re looking for a mobile solution. It comes new with case, keyboard, and one-button stylus (you’ll replace the latter for a better, 2-button one ASAP) for U$999 to 1099 so it’s far more affordable than a ModBook too.
If it was April 2011 when you got an increase in interest in Modbooks, it’s probably because that was the release time of the asus slate the guy above recommends, basically a Windows modbook, a full-powered large tablet capable of running Creative Suite etc with a Wacom pen. If you get any more people now, it’s probably thanks to the release of the Asus Slate’s first serious competitor, the Samsung 7 Slate which does the same thing but slightly shinier (but which has the same fatal flaw of no changable battery).
Looks like you were right about Axiotron’s unreliability – their website still proudly boasts that the Modbook Pro will be released in the first quarter of 2011. Never trust a tech company who can’t update their own website…
Well, there is a new company, Modbook Inc. , and it’s planning to make a ModBook Pro based on the Macbook Pro, in this fal..