Modbook Pro Gets Double the Pen Pressure, Solid-State Drive and Memory

[Cristian_25H]

Creative technologies developer Modbook Inc. today announced it is doubling the pen pressure sensitivity levels on the Modbook Pro, the company's one-of-a-kind Mac-based pen tablet computer for the creative community. The solid-state drive (SSD) capacity and random-access memory (RAM) in the base configuration of the Modbook Pro are also being doubled. This substantial improvement in the Modbook Pro's specifications comes at no additional cost to customers - the manufacturer's suggested retail price of the Modbook Pro remains unchanged at $3,499.

Beginning immediately, the pen pressure sensitivity levels on the Modbook Pro, whose pen tablet functionality is powered by a state-of-the-art digitizer from industry leader Wacom, are being doubled from 512 to 1,024, four times the industry standard for tablet computers.





Additionally, the internal SSD in the Modbook Pro's base configuration goes from a 64 GB Nishara-class drive to a 120 GB Sanshara-class high-performance drive. Also, the amount of RAM in the Modbook Pro's base configuration goes from 4 GB to 8 GB.

"The successful launch of the Modbook Pro has allowed us to secure more favorable terms for some of our components, and we're happy to pass the benefit along to our customers. In cooperation with our friends at Wacom, we're especially thrilled to be able to double the Modbook Pro's pen sensitivity to 1,024 pressure levels," said Andreas E. Haas, chief executive officer and chief technology officer of Modbook Inc. "The Modbook Pro is without question the best portable tablet solution for creative users, and even the base configuration crushes the competition."

The Modbook Pro ships later this month, so the improved specifications will apply to all currently ordered Modbook Pros as well as all future orders.

A seamless combination of a new Apple MacBook Pro computer and Wacom Penabled digitizer, the 13.3-inch Modbook Pro pen tablet computer is the ideal mobile creative workstation, offering power, portability and highly sensitive pen input.

As demonstrated in the new product comparison grid available at http://www.modbook.com/modbookpro-compare, the specifications of the Modbook Pro are superior to comparable pen tablet computers.

The Modbook Pro is now available to order for U.S. customers exclusively at ModbookShop.com. Customers can use the dynamic product configurator at http://www.modbookshop.com to customize their Modbook Pro's processor (up to 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7), RAM (up to 16 GB) and internal storage (up to a 480 GB SSD), along with other configuration and accessory options.

Increased Pen Pressure Sensitivity

At no additional cost to customers, the Modbook Pro will now have 1,024 pen pressure sensitivity levels, a 100% increase over the previous specification. For artists and creative professionals, this dramatic enhancement in pen capability enables extraordinarily precise and subtle control of renderings, underscoring the Modbook Pro's singular usefulness as a portable content-creation platform.

With 1,024 pen pressure levels, the Modbook Pro offers four times the sensitivity of the industry standard of 256 levels employed by the other tablet computers on the market.

Improved SSD and Memory Specifications

At no additional cost to customers, the Modbook Pro will now have an original Modbook Pro Sanshara-class 120 GB high-performance SSD as internal storage in its base configuration, nearly doubling the previous specification. This SATA 3 Sanshara-class SSD provides significantly faster read, write, startup and application loading speeds compared to the previous 64 GB Nishara-class drive. Built from the highest quality components, it employs synchronous NAND flash technology capable of more than twice the performance of the average asynchronous SSDs, delivering the best speed and performance available in flash-based storage for both uncompressed and compressed files.

Now all available SSD configurations for the Modbook Pro are Sanshara drives offering the same uncompromising best-in-class performance across the line. The Modbook Pro has two internal storage upgrade options: a 240 GB or 480 GB Sanshara synchronous SATA 3 SSD. Modbook Inc.'s Sanshara drives provide outstanding performance and reliability. The live system of the Modbook Pro operates without any moving parts (aside from its optical drive), markedly decreasing the chances for data corruption or loss. In addition, the Modbook Pro's SSDs are fine-tuned so as not to interfere with its pen tablet interface.

Also at no additional cost, the Modbook Pro will now have 8 GB of RAM in its base configuration, doubling the previous specification. Optionally, customers can configure their Modbook Pro with 16 GB of EnergySaver dual-channel RAM, offering lower power consumption and increased battery life.

Existing Orders

All Modbook Pros currently on order and all future orders will have 1,024 levels of pen pressure sensitivity (twice the previous specification).

For existing orders with a 64 GB SSD, customers will receive a Modbook Pro with a 120 GB SSD at no additional cost. For existing orders with 4 GB of RAM, customers will receive a Modbook Pro with 8 GB of RAM at no additional cost. Customers who ordered the 8 GB Modbook Pro EnergySaver dual-channel memory kit can either upgrade to the 16 GB option or switch to the 8 GB default RAM configuration and have the charge for the 8 GB EnergySaver RAM credited to their order.

Additional information about the Modbook Pro is available at http://www.modbook.com.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[phanbuey]

another great product that apple will undoubtedly try and kill.

 

[dj-electric]

That PR is clearly written for people who don't know sh*t about hardware.

Seems right...

 

[Kantastic]

another great product that apple will undoubtedly try and kill.

Lol, it's a $3500 tablet and you're going to blame Apple for trying to remove it from the market? Third party makes it and you hate on Apple. Apple makes it and guess what, you'd probably hate on Apple.

 

[3870x2]

$3500 and HD4000 graphics!

If I wanted to waste money, I would buy a high-end laptop with a GTX 670, and light the rest of the $2500 on fire.

 

[Kantastic]

$3500 and HD4000 graphics!

If I wanted to waste money, I would buy a high-end laptop with a GTX 670, and light the rest of the $2500 on fire.

But Apple didn't make it so it's okay. Price is good, product is good, support is good, etc.

 

[UbErN00b]

So what is this? a tablet with notebook grade hardware running iOS?

 

[camoxiong]

damn, $3500 just for that?

 

[Frick]

So what is this? a tablet with notebook grade hardware running iOS?

And a proper display for drawing. That alone adds tons of money to an already expensive platform, plus they rebuild the entire thing.

I like the Modbooks. They're not for me though.. I want to hear what Mailman thinks.

 

[TheMailMan78]

And a proper display for drawing. That alone adds tons of money to an already expensive platform, plus they rebuild the entire thing.

I like the Modbooks. They're not for me though.. I want to hear what Mailman thinks.

The sensitivity is super nice given what they are doing. I could work off that if needed. My current Wacom comes in at 2048 so this thing is getting close to professional grade. I wouldn't want to work TONS off of it as I'm used to 2048 now. lol

However this line right here is BS....

With 1,024 pen pressure levels, the Modbook Pro offers four times the sensitivity of the industry standard of 256 levels employed by the other tablet computers on the market.

That was industry standard YEARS ago. Not anymore. Like 10 years ago.....maybe even longer?

 

[Steven B]

i thought these tablets/laptops run on mac OSX, probably adds to its price

 

[Novulux]

I thought 512 and even 1,024 levels were widely available 4-5 years ago?
The $75 Wacom Bamboo Fun I was given around that time has 512 levels, and even their budget tablets now come with 1,024 at least.

 

[THE_EGG]

We should get a round up review of all these variants of slate notebook tablets. I'd like to see this compared with Fujitsu's offerings along with others. (I can only think of Fujitsu off the top of my head for making slate notebook tablets like the modbook.)

IMO it would be more attractive at $2500-$2800 not $3500, but I suppose there aren't too many competitors which probably explains the high price.

 

[segalaw19800]

 

[xtremesv]

My Galaxy Note 10.1 has also a 1,024 presure point pen and costs $550. For $3,500 that thing should teleport you wherever you like. Well I'm not a designer so I don't appreciate that kind of stuff nor I know the real value.

 

[Prima.Vera]

3500$?!? You kidding me? You can easily buy a 5 years old car with that money!!!!!!

 

[Frick]

I thought 512 and even 1,024 levels were widely available 4-5 years ago?
The $75 Wacom Bamboo Fun I was given around that time has 512 levels, and even their budget tablets now come with 1,024 at least.

I assume there's more difference between them than pressure levels. I assume, as the costs are different.

3500$?!? You kidding me? You can easily buy a 5 years old car with that money!!!!!!

So?

 

[Wile E]

This is expensive because they have to buy the Macbook before modding it.

Yeah, it's too expensive for my blood, but it's the only way to get OS X on a tablet straight out of the box without using a hacked version.

I'd like to see them with the new Retina displays. 2560x1600 in a 13" tablet? Yes please.

 

[THE_EGG]

This is expensive because they have to buy the Macbook before modding it.

Yeah, it's too expensive for my blood, but it's the only way to get OS X on a tablet straight out of the box without using a hacked version.

I'd like to see them with the new Retina displays. 2560x1600 in a 13" tablet? Yes please.

Now that would be awesome, and well worth the price imo. Nothing, as far as I know, would be close to it in competition.