ModBook- soon to leave vaporware status?

The dream of a Mac Tablet was fueled last year by the ModBook, essentially a MacBook that Axiotron converts into a Tablet PC.  They have been supposedly going to launch and ship for a year but every few months came up with excuses that prevented that from happening.  That may be about to change given an email I just received from The Other World Computing Team, the marketers for the ModBook:

Thank you for your patience regarding your order for the Modbook OS X
Tablet Solution. This e-mail is to inform you that the product is nearly
ready to ship and that new configuration options are now available. As
of the latest available information from Axiotron, we anticipate being
able to ship your Custom configured Modbook solution on or before
January 11th, 2008. On a first in, first out basis - Modbooks are
expected to begin shipping on or before January 8th, 2007.

As is our standard policy, we do not charge your credit card for an
order prior to it shipping. While your credit card will be authorized
when it goes into build, no charge will occur until the day it is shipped.

Before we can queue up your custom Modbook solution, you will need to
select from our new and updated offerings. To do so, please login with
your account information and order number at the following URL:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Modbook/

You may also use the above information to officially cancel your order
if that is your preference at this time.

Your order qualifies for the special 'early bird' discount. You will
receive an $80 discount your ModBook system(s). You need only select your
final system configuration and your order will be updated to reflect this
discount of $80 per Modbook in your basket.

In relationship to the system you previously selected, the following
changes have occurred:

**WAAS Enabled GPS (formally a $99 option) now STANDARD Built-In!**

Apple OS 10.5.x Leopard Included & Preinstalled (was 10.4 'Tiger')

Memory options available up to 4.0GB (was 3.0GB)

Internal Hard Drive options available up to 570GB (was 500GB)

Standard Intel GMA X3100 Accelerated Video (was GMA 950 Video)

New top-end processor speed of 2.2GHz (was 2.16GHz)

Apple iLife '08 Included and Preinstalled (was iLife '07)
---------------------------------------------------------

Although we cannot turn back the clock, the current system features and
options updates, as well as new lower pricing for various available
options, is reflective of updates possible as a result of this time. We
apologize for the delay and appreciate your understanding.

Thank you,

The Other World Computing Team

Interestingly I have never ordered a ModBook so I don't know where they got that idea but if this is accurate and they are about to start shipping that is great news.  Only a year late, too.  What's funny is that the top configuration of the ModBook is still cheaper than the entry-level Dell XT Tablet PC.  :)

Comments

[Mike Cane]

Hey, just in time to enter Bankruptcy Status if Apple announces a mini Tablet.

Timing not equal to nice.

[JimAtLaw]

Hopefully it won't be too long before OWC releases, and adds an SSD option - don't hold your breath on the Apple tablet.

[Patrick]

with leopard sporting coverflow UI, I'm warming to the idea of a mac tablet. Here's hoping that they do a better job at marketing it than PC manufacturers

[Flip]

Where can one get a copy of XP Tablet Edition? Doesn't MS only sell it will a machine? I have several tablets but no extra OS's to load into bootcamp/parallels,or VMFusion. (I need XP TE for work)

I am tempted by a Mac Tablet!

thanks. Merry Christmas.

[Mark Armstrong]

Patrick--Google "xp tablet edition." I think you'll find plenty of places to buy it online.

For instance, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JTBWXQ?tag=ecatapultifr-20

[Robby C]

Hey,has anyone heard anything more regarding this product? They said they started shipping on 1/11/08 and i have yet to see anyone posting a review based on a production model shipped to a private individual.

[Fernando]

Guys, this is a joke. The date now slid (for the umpteenth time !) to March 31st.