The iPad and iPen Project

As of 01-27-10. It's official… See the ACTUAL "iPad", on Apple's site

In late 2008/early 2009, I created a concept for a future Apple laptop/tablet/desktop combo unit. It had absolutely nothing to do with any real Apple plans that I knew of... Just done for fun. Ultimately, one of my renders of this concept appeared in MacLife Magazine, as "Photo of the Month", in October, 2009. By then, I suspected that if such a device were released, it would look something more like the first image below. (a model I created for an online "Design the Apple Tablet" contest) The rest of the images were done in late 2008, when I was unaware of all of the rumors regarding an Apple tablet . This earlier version is one of the models that's featured on my latest DVD, "Modeling with modo, Volume One", released in late 2009. (minus Apple references, to avoid any trademark conflicts)

Maybe in a year or two?

Touch technology in general has obviously caught on, thanks to the iPhone and now, the iPad, and it's clear to me that eventually we'll see this in a more powerful form. As a graphic artist, I use pen tablets (Wacom) all day. So, I would love to see a serious (OS X-powered) version of this technology, in a slightly larger size. The combination of touch technology, combined with the ability to use a stylus, would make this the computer for me.

There's quite a bit of evidence, suggesting that we'll see this at some point, and so with that in mind, I built this more Apple-styled version. It's about what you'd expect, (ports, etc.) except that I added a concave bottom, for better cooling, and a snap-in stylus holder on the right side.

One of the business-worthy attributes of the current iPad is that it's a way to carry some reasonably-nice presentations with you, and show them at a moment's notice. Because of it's size and ability to flip the display, using the accelerometers, and even pass it around a table, it's more flexible than a laptop. If you could have that ability, plus the ability to use it as a true laptop substitute, that would be a huge bonus.

Forget about reality... I just want this thing!

I really like the way some apps feel, with a pen and tablet for control. Modo works well this way, using my Wacom Intuos 4 (medium). Most tablet devices have been too expensive for me to qualify buying one, but I sure do covet them. Something like a Cintiq really makes a difference, because you can "draw" right on the image, rather than on a separate pad, while looking at a monitor.

There are other "special" features on my version...

First, the look...

* Most images in this article are larger than they appear here, for those of you who would like to download them.

Special thanks to Yazan Malkosh, for his excellent architectural/interior lighting material! For this scene, I used a couple of parts of his, included in the content. They are the iMac-style base for the computer, and the keyboard. (I modeled everything else.)

The case design is very Mac-esque, resembling the one-piece iMac designs from 2008/2009. It's only .75" thick, however, and has the pen features built in, as well as "all glass" controls, like the current iPod and iPhone. Everything else is imaginary. The main computer case in straight polygon modeling, with no sub-d effects. The pen (below) is sub-d. Both models are very simple. The images used for the display screen and glass "controls" at the bottom give it a more complex look.

I offset the buttons on the pen, because it's ergonomic... When you reach for the higher button, your finger curves, so it makes sense the the upper button would be more to the right. (for right-handed users) I also thought that two discrete buttons would be a better choice than a rocker switch.

Here's what I want...