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iBook Converts to iTablet
Samuel Cotterall writes to tell us The Register is reporting that, not content to wait for Apple's mythical tablet PC to ship, ThePlaceforitAll.com is selling converted iBooks on eBay to fill the void. From the article: "ThePlaceforitAll.com is the first to admit the hardware will not be supported by Apple, thanks to the warranty-warping modification work, but the software should still be covered. More worrying is the site's statement that it "will not fix any broken iTablets". It will also ship to US-located buyers only."
The touchpad is not compatible with Apple's Inkwell and it's a G4-based laptop. All that for a mere $1500? Save up another $500 and buy the new Macbook.
"I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey
So, should we start an office pool on how long it takes before Apple starts to sue them?
BeauHD. Worst editor since kdawson.
I thought this was kind of cool until I read that Inkwell is not supported. What's up with that? It pretty much makes the tablet useless.
Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
Ok, it doesn't sound like they even have a prototype and it voids Apple's warrantee. This does not give me any confidence in their ability to do this work. I wouldn't want them fucking with my iBook.
I'll wait for Apple, thank you very much.
the lack of inkwell compatability kind of defeats the whole purpose of getting a tablet mac in the first place... use another vendor for handwriting recognition, sure, but not as slick as inkwell for sure. plus extra cost.
but the bigger complaint would be that they will not repair any tablet, after they void the warranty for you. at the very least they should offer a limited warranty and repair policy. without any, they pool of prospective buyers is gonna narrow dramatically.
and you'd think after spending all that time figuring out how to make this work(which they haven't actually done it yet, not until you buy one, then they'll figure it out) they would have designed a better stylus holder. it looks more like an after thought.
so in the end, what you really end up paying for is someone elses laptop case mod experiment.
that you had to bid on thru ebay.
pass.
three can keep a secret, if two are dead - benjamin franklin
I see that The Reg is suffering from the /. Editor Effect. "Tablet Mac draws bidders on eBay". Bidders? Unless zero has taken on a new value that I don't know about, I'd disagree.
/. or The Reg. Maybe it's not a scam, but it's certainly not news.
Oh, and, for what it's worth, the auction does say that the computer will ship outside of the US. Although I honestly can't imagine who would care to risk their money on something that doesn't even exist.
I've got to say that I'm a little confused about the shipping time, too. The auction text says that it ships after it's modified - oh, and allow some time for the vendor to order one after you pay up. And for the touchscreen to arrive. But at the bottom of the auction, it ships a day after payment clears.
I'm really at a loss for a reason why this is on either
-h-
iBooks are not meant to be run with the lid closed, or at least that's what Apple says. So wouldn't this new permanently closed touchscreen lid cause the machine to overheat?
I'd say the lack of actual existence is a more pressing issue. It reads as if some guy said "I'll bet I can do this. Somebody lend me your iBook." And everybody said no. So they're trying this.