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Modbook announces $4k 15-inch pen-based OS X tablet built w/ new Retina MacBooks

Modbook-Pro-x-03

Following up the last Modbook Pro tablet the company is currently selling made from a converted mid-2012 MacBook Pro, today Modbook is back with the announcement of a 15-inch ModBook tablet that uses the new Retina MacBooks Apple just refreshed this week as its guts. For those of you unfamiliar with the company, it first started making OS X based tablets by converting Apple laptops and adding pen input capabilities as far back as 2007. 

For the new model, Modbook is turning to Kickstarter to raise funds and take preorders with the base 2.2GHz model coming in at $4000. Apart from the pen-input and some design tweaks during the conversion, the specs remain the same as Apple’s MacBooks and the company can also mod your MacBook for a cool $1999 (also an option for backers on Kickstarter). If successful raising $150k through its funding campaign, it plans to start shipping the Modbook Pro X to backers that provided their own Mac in early 2015.

Another addition in this year’s model is an option for “rear-mounted Keybars” that provide quick keys for shortcuts. There is also detachable Keyboard Stand that is available for the tablet. The Keybars are programmable and the company imagines them being used for quick commands (think command + S for saving) with one hand while the other is occupied with the tablet’s stylus.  Both of these optional features are pictured above and will add to the base prices mentioned above, as will opting for models of the Macbook Pro other than the base 2.2GHz option. 

In case you’re wondering, the conversion process does void your warranty with Apple, but Modbook provides its own that covers all the hardware. You can learn more and preorder by backing the Kickstarter campaign here.

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Comments

  1. Jamar Jones - 10 years ago

    If you’re going to make products based on Apple platforms I would think you would try to mimic their philosophy in some way., shape, or form. The product seems nice but the graphics on the front and the back are hideous…it looks like a PC gamer product.

    • cjt3007 - 10 years ago

      I agree, but I think they do it to avoid any sort of lawsuit. Obviously they aren’t actually doing anything illegal at the moment, as they are using actual MacBooks, and are not making clones. But I think once they start making them look like an iPad, they’ll have issues.

    • Brian McGee - 9 years ago

      It’s a Mod, not a mimic. And yes, then there are the legal implications.

  2. cjt3007 - 10 years ago

    I’ve always wanted one, but the warranty stuff freaks me out. I often have software issues with my Macs, so if this voids your Apple warranty and Modbook only covers hardware how do I get software support?

  3. buzzmega - 10 years ago

    Apple: Buy these guys. Then introduce it as an option.

  4. Doug Bott (@ex2bot) - 10 years ago

    Cjt3007, Apple doesn’t have a problem with ModBook. They won’t get sued.

  5. David F (@davefree11) - 10 years ago

    yeah, because i want a $4000 tablet…wtf?

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.