Modbook Pro X, 15.4-Inch Retina Display Mac Tablet, Launches Exclusively on Kickstarter
Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) July 30, 2014 -- Creative technologies developer Modbook® Inc. today announced its new product, the Modbook Pro X, a 15.4-inch Mac®-based pen tablet computer with a high-resolution Retina® display, up to a 2.8GHz quad-core processor, up to 32GB of random-access memory and up to 2TB of PCIe flash storage — a tablet computing powerhouse that rivals high-end desktop systems in speed and performance.
To complete development and start production on the Modbook Pro X, a Kickstarter campaign gets underway today with an initial funding goal of US$150,000. Anyone can join the initiative by visiting the Kickstarter page at http://kck.st/UvW6jn.
An innovative computer modification product, the Modbook Pro X incorporates the original hardware of a Retina-display Apple® MacBook® Pro 15.4-inch base system running the OS X® 10.10 Yosemite operating system. The expansive drawing and writing surface of the Modbook Pro X has a scratch-resistant ForceGlass™ screen with paper-emulating texture that covers a crisp, clear 15.4-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2,880 by 1,800 pixels. Users get highly sensitive pen input with 2,048 pen pressure levels and pen tilt and rotate functionality for producing pro-quality creative deliverables.
Under the hood, the Modbook Pro X packs a punch. It can be configured with up to a 2.8GHz quad-core Intel® Core™ i7 processor, up to 32GB of 1600MHz RAM, up to 2TB of PCIe flash storage with a four-channel interface capable of data transfer of up to 2GB/second, and an Intel Iris™ Pro graphics card with an optional additional NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics card with 2GB of GDDR5 memory. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, two USB 3 ports, one SDXC slot, one HDMI port and two Thunderbolt 2 ports.
In short, the speed and power of the Modbook Pro X — along with its ample high-resolution screen real estate and handy tablet features — make it the ideal all-in-one portable workstation for creative or general users.
"We're beyond excited to launch the Modbook Pro X," said Andreas E. Haas, Modbook Inc.'s chief executive officer and lead engineer. "Our prototype testing shows the Modbook Pro X blows away the competition. It's more powerful than many desktops, even outperforming some current-generation Mac Pro systems, while remaining a fully mobile system. Creative users finally have a true desktop replacement option, without sacrificing anything."
Breaking Tablet Boundaries
The Modbook Pro X comes optionally with innovative rear-mounted Keybars, an eyes-free solution that enables users to quickly enter commands and shortcuts (for example, Command+S for "Save") with one hand while drawing or writing with the pen in the other hand. An instant on-screen readout lets users see what they're doing. The Keybars are fully programmable.
Also included optionally with the Modbook Pro X is a unique detachable Keyboard Stand that has three functions in one: (1) easel mount for the Modbook Pro X tablet, (2) full-size illuminated keyboard, and (3) screen protector for the Modbook Pro X when stored together in a sleeve. With its industrial-strength easel mount, the Keyboard Stand supports the Modbook Pro X firmly at any angle between 30° and 90°. The Keyboard Stand's keyboard has a smart backlight with ambient light sensor and can pair with up to three devices via Bluetooth.
The Keybars and Keyboard Stand add an unprecedented level of versatility to the Modbook Pro X — users get a portable pen tablet, but can also place their tablet on the Keyboard Stand's easel mount at their preferred drawing angle, entering commands with the Keybars or the keyboard, and even using the device like a regular notebook.
It's Still a Mac
Like its predecessors the Modbook and the Modbook Pro, the Modbook Pro X takes an original Apple notebook-style computer and seamlessly transforms it into a pen tablet computer. Modbook Inc. has many years of experience modifying these Apple base systems. The transformation preserves the core functionality of the base system while adding powerful tablet functionality and other hardware and software features.
Under the hood, the Modbook Pro X remains a genuine, fully functioning Mac. It runs the OS X 10.10 Yosemite operating system. Users can update their systems via the Mac App Store just like any regular Mac-based computer.
In addition, users can install (or have installed when they order their systems) the latest version of Microsoft® Windows® in a dual-boot setup via Apple's Boot Camp® application, turning their Modbook Pro X into a powerful Windows-based tablet. Thus, the Modbook Pro X joins the current Modbook Pro as the only tablets with Mac/Windows cross-platform capability, supporting the full range of creative and productivity applications on either platform, including Adobe® Photoshop® and Premiere® Pro, Autodesk® Sketchbook® Pro and AutoCAD®, Corel® Painter™, the Microsoft Office® suite, and numerous others.
The Modbook Pro X comes with a one-year warranty (upgradable to three years) covering the complete hardware solution, including all of the components of the Retina display MacBook Pro base system.*
Join the Kickstarter Campaign
A Kickstarter campaign to complete development and the first production run of the Modbook Pro X begins today. The initial funding goal is US$150,000.
Backers of the Kickstarter campaign can choose from a number of different rewards. For a pledge of $1,999, backers can have their own 15.4-inch Retina-display MacBook Pro (or a MacBook Pro they acquire later) converted into a Modbook Pro X, with an expected shipping date in early 2015. Other funding levels deliver a complete system at an earlier date.
The only way to get the Modbook Pro X initially will be via the Kickstarter campaign. Backers should visit the Kickstarter page and make their pledge soon to ensure delivery of their Modbook Pro X by early next year, as available production slots could fill up quickly.
"A dynamic community like Kickstarter is a natural fit for an extraordinary product like the Modbook Pro X," said Mr. Haas. "It provides an effective crowdfunding platform where we can work directly with and for all those creative users who have been asking us to essentially create a new product category specifically suited for their needs."
To participate in the Kickstarter campaign for the Modbook Pro X, visit the Kickstarter page at http://kck.st/UvW6jn. More information about Modbook Inc., the Modbook Pro, and the Modbook Pro X is available at http://www.modbook.com.
*The Modbook Pro X is an enclosure conversion kit that transforms an original Retina-display Apple MacBook Pro notebook-style computer into a tablet-style computer. Apple Inc.’s warranty on the MacBook Pro base system is voided by the conversion and replaced with the Modbook Protection Plan, which covers the entire hardware solution, including the base system. Modbook Inc. is not affiliated with, nor is the Modbook Pro X sponsored or endorsed by, Apple Inc.
About Modbook Inc.
Modbook Inc. develops products like the Modbook Pro and Modbook Pro X that unleash the creative potential in everyone. Privately held, the company and its dedicated team are headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and at http://www.modbook.com.
Modbook, ForceGlass, Keybar and the Modbook logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Modbook Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Apple, Mac, MacBook, OS X, FireWire, Boot Camp and Retina are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Intel, Core, Iris and Thunderbolt are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Adobe, Photoshop and Premiere are trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the U.S. and/or other countries. Autodesk, SketchBook and AutoCAD are trademarks or registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Corel and Painter are trademarks or registered trademarks of Corel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Microsoft, Windows and Office are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Mark Perlstein, Modbook Inc., http://www.modbook.com, +1 (818) 305-4178, [email protected]
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