- This remembers me of the Modbook, back in... check notes... 2008? I'm old. They would take a Macbook, re-case it and transform it into a tablet. Super cool. Looks like they kept doing this for a few iterations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modbook
- $139 (early Kickstarter price) feels surprisingly low if it works like they claim - a wacom with a display is significantly more expensive, lower display resolution, less portable, and totally different ergonomics (for good or bad). Though they are also a second screen.
Makes me wonder if it'll work on other computers. Not as slickly of course, but it'd probably still function, except maybe for the software (if any)...
by starkparker
0 subcomment
- If this is exciting and you don't need the EMR stylus but you want a project instead of a product for a Macbook: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805921231769.html
If this is exciting because of the EMR stylus but you want a project instead of a product for a Macbook: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46537489, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igVscvWAR1s
- Without deep OS support for this kind of thing, I can't imagine it will feel anything like a native experience. There are already much better touch screen experiences with years of development behind them, in the Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS platforms. There's no need to have a janky hacked together version for macOS to try to make it to the same thing.
by VerifiedReports
4 subcomments
- That looks like a crappy way to work. Holding your arms out in front of you all day sucks.
The baffling thing is that Apple hasn't made the Pencil work on its laptops' (defectively) oversized touchpads: https://imgur.com/gallery/another-baffling-missed-opportunit...
- Kind of like the Axiotron Modbook from 2008 but cheaper and as an accessory, not a full mod
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modbook
by phplovesong
0 subcomment
- This is pretty cool. The only (a huge issue imho) is the fact that the macbook screen does "not go all the way", meaning you cant use it as youd normally would draw or write (from a 90 degree angle)
by pidgeon_lover
0 subcomment
- It looks a bit like an IR scanner attached to glass, and quite a nice form factor for one.
Does anyone know of a similar product that would work with actual computers (Windows, arbitrary monitors), not just fruits?
by noodlebird
0 subcomment
- nice, this might raise the pressure on apple to release a hybrid.
- well it is cool, but im missing the point of it, why?
by jasonvorhe
0 subcomment
- Had to laugh out loud when checking this out. So now you're expected to keep two pieces of glass clean in order to a) not see smudges and b) not scratch the original display because there may be dirt on the touch screen and you can't just close your laptop shut anymore if you're in a hurry?
Not even a hint of a price region as well. Can't imagine anyone really asking for this. Just get an iPad.
Edit: Correction on the no price thing, it's relatively cheap for Kickstarter.
- This device is obviously a non-starter, iPads exist already, and the laptop form factor isn't right for this ergonomically.
iPad and Macbook should've already converged at this point.
I say that even as a very happy user of a Macbook with the fancy non-reflective screen coating that wouldn't be a thing on a touchscreen.
I expect the new cheap Macbook that's rumoured will be a hybrid.
Nicer windows laptops have had this for a long time and it works great, other than the janky OS and app support. Just being able to lazily scroll content is worth it some of the time, and there are no downsides. Just like having built-in 5G networking, it's a bizarre blindspot for Apple.
My old-ass Chromebook Pixel (retired due to Chrome no longer having worthwhile adblocking) had a perfect form factor for hybrid tablet/laptop use, though not the software - Beautiful 180 degree hinge, 4:3 aspect ratio.
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