Those people who couldn’t wait for Apple to release an official Mac Tablet, and who instead pre-ordered Axiotron’s Modbook alternative, will be getting a New Year treat as the company announces the pen-based OS X portable is finally shipping.  We first wrote about the Modbook – basically an Apple MacBook Pro rebuilt with a Wacom touchscreen digitizer to make a tablet - almost a year ago today, but the $2,290 device suffered a number of delays prompting many potential customers to hit the refund button. 

Of course, the current rumor is that Apple themselves are preparing a MultiTouch UMPC or tablet of their own, based on the iPod Touch and iPhone, and possibly reviving the Newton name.  However such a device would not be a direct competitor to the Modbook, which, courtesy of its high-sensitivity digitizer pen, is being targeted at artists and design professionals.  It will certainly offer far more accuracy than might be possible with a fingertip.

To hammer that point home, Axiotron are planning to take the Modbook to the MacWorld Expo, where a number of designers, architects, cartoonists and animators will demonstrate its abilities.  Ironically, that’s similar to the exclusive SlashGear footage below, shot at last year’s MacWorld:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN_e_Y1oIp8[/youtube]