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Recomend a Laptop TabletPC for Zbrush 3.

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#1

Title pretty much says it all.

I’m looking for a MODERN Laptop Tablet PC that works well with ZB3.

Most Tablet PC’s these days are lower end touch screens for consumer use.

I’ve been searching for days and can’t find anything with pressure sensitivity these days. I’m wondering if a Axiotron Modbook might be a good choice. If not the OS X version, maybe Windows XP under Bootcamp.

I would honestly prefer something more PC based, given the choice, but it seems my options are rather limited compared with just 2 years ago.

Thanks.

#2

Wow! A whole week and not a single recommendation.
I can’t believe no one is using ZB on a Tablet PC.

#3

Haha… its not that we don’t want to respond, I’m just not sure how to make a recommendation for you that will be adequate to a real pro’s need. I believe most people who want this type of setup go with a Wacom Cintiq display. If it were me… and I really needed this type of tablet PC type setup… I would probably buy a macbook pro and a cintiq. Unfortunately… it wouldn’t be ultraportable which is something really cool and what you’re probably going for.

#4

The Axiotron you show looks really slick. It says they up’ed to pressure sensitivity levels to 512. Wacom and Cintiq have minimum 1024.

I’ve used some 512 tablets made by competitors to Wacom and there is a noticable difference. But its probably something you could overcome if you got used to it. Like driving a camry (or AE86 a la Initial-D) instead of a bmw.

#5

Another very practical reason that people might not be using tablet PC’s with zbrush as a digital sculptpad is because Zbrush is highly CPU intensive. How much battery life will you honestly be able to squeeze out of the Axion. How will glare affect your work. At that point, it might just be better to take a photo and enjoy 14 hours of uninterrupted zbrushing at home?

#6

Axiotron has a new Modbook Pro based on the new 15inch Powerbook Pro.

It’s as expensive as hell $5k, and I’m not sure what the pressure sensitivity is, but I think it’s got the Graphic, Processor and Memory muscle to get the job done. There’s even an option to get an anti-glare screen.

I’m hoping they do a 17" version based on the MBP released at the last Macworld.

#7

The Axitron Modbook Pro looks like a very nice system. However, for the kind of money they’re asking you could the 17" Macbook Pro loaded and add a Cintiq 12wx. It’s not a portable, admittedly, but then again the Cintiq will be light on your lap on it’s tether to the connector box. I currently haul a MacbookPro 15" + Cintiq 12wx. If ZB was my main app and only app, I might set it up with XP Pro and Bootcamp to always boot in Windows. Right now I bounce between Windows and OSX using Parallels 4.

A cheeper solution would be to get a Windows laptop and Cintiq 12wx. I’d probably configure something from HP or Sony if I didn’t need OSX.

HTH,
-K

#8

MacbookPro + Cintiq 12wx = happiness. :smiley:

I love the power and versatility. (and the price; $3200).

#9

I’m really looking for the ultra portability. Lugging around a Cintiq in addition to a full size laptop just won’t work for me. Plus I’m looking to use this in situations where AC power just isn’t an option. I doubt there is a Cintiq that works on battery power.

#10

If you’re looking for ultra portabiity, why not get a cheaper unibody MacBook with a small sized wacom (A6 Wide seems like a good match size wise). Stick a few of those thick rubber strips that come with certain wacom tablets in the right place so that the tablet rests on the speaker grills instead of the keyboard/trackpad and sit the tablet over the keyboard. Configure the Wacom drivers in such a way that you can use the Wacom buttons to assign the essential hotkeys to and off you go.
If you want to go even lighter you might consider the MacBook Air, although it might be a bit underpowered for heavy ZBrush work.

Not tried this myself, so I don’t know how well it works in practice.

#11

I use a Lenovo X60 tablet and it works just fine. The wacom drivers make it respond no differently than my intuos. More than anything I just love the portability and ability to draw right on the screen. I’ve had no performance issues as of late.

Lenovo X60
Core Duo L2400 @ 1.66
2 gig ram

#12

This is what id get if i wanted notebook plus tablet!
http://gizmodo.com/5035828/lenovo-thinkpad-w700-has-a-built+in-wacom-tablet-and-professional-grade-screen

If i had the money id so get this.
Its a lenovo better known as manufacturers of think pads
some of the best built computers with the longest battery times.
:sunglasses: :+1: