Apart from launching the Skylight Smartbook, Lenovo also made a statement at the CES when they rolled out the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid Notebook. The IdeaPad U1 Notebook features a unique, all new PC form factor, there is a 11.6-inch LED multitouch display which can be removed and used as an independent slate tablet.
The clamshell device basically combines a Tablet and a Notebook into one with each device having its own processor. The Notebook boast an Intel Core 2 Duo CULV processor with Windows 7 while the tablet slate is powered by a Qualcomm SnapDragon processor and runs Lenovo’s customized Skylight Linux OS. Other specs includes a integrated webcam, 3G connectivity, WiFi and Bluetooth.
Huge Modbook Demand due to iPad Shortcomings
In the days leading up to the announcement of the iPad, many of us here thought it might spell the end for Axiotron and their Modbook. (For those who are out of the loop, the Modbook is the original Tablet Mac, not manufactured by Apple but based on the Macbook system.)
In fact, in anticipation of the event, we sold out of our last prebuilt Modbook system on the 26th with no intentions of building more units.
However, about 30 minutes into the Apple announcement, we noticed something very interesting. The interest and demand for the Modbook hit all time highs. Modbook related pageviews jumped over 300% from the previous day.
One metric we use to track demand is signups for back in stock notifications once a product is out of stock. When we take the average of signups for all previous days when our Complete Modbook product was out of stock, and compare it to signups on the 27th, there is a 333% increase. We’re only about halfway through the 28th now, but we are on track to have at or greater demand today than yesterday.
Demand for Modservice, the service in which we convert your Macbook unit into a Modbook, is also up substantially as is call volume related to Modbook units and Modservice.
So what’s the deal? Wasn’t the “Jesus Tablet” supposed to be the end all device? It was supposed to be…but it isn’t, and the Modbook picks up where the iPad left off.
Here are just a few things the Modbook has that the iPad doesn’t.
- Full Blown OSX, not a watered down iPhone OS.
- iSight Camera for video conferencing
- Video Out capability
- USB Ports
- Optical Drive (For DVD Playback)
- Handwriting Recognition
- Flash
- Larger Storage
Yeah, the iPad will be a cool techy toy, but in terms of functionality, it appears to be lacking. You know the guys at Axiotron are breathing a sigh of relief on this one. What once looked like doom and gloom for the company now looks to be a cash cow that they’ll be able to milk at least until the 2nd gen iPad comes out.
