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It’s now generally assumed that Apple is set to launch a tablet computer, with an announcement as early as September and availability in November. An article in the Financial Times last month claimed the company was rushing to roll out the device in time for the Christmas buying season, while a Barron’s article this week quoted an analyst who claims to have tested a prototype of the machine.

But what will the Apple Tablet actually look like? So far, no photos of the final product have leaked, but that hasn’t stopped Photoshop ninjas coming out in full force, imagining how Apple’s sleek and minimalist design ethos will be infused into a tablet computer. In fact, the idea of an Apple tablet has been around so long that some Apple fans have ventured so far as to build their own.

Here we bring you a smorgasbord of our absolute favorite Apple tablet mockups and real-world Mac tablets. Don’t drool too much.

Conceptual Designs

MacBook Touch (Edwin Tofslie)

Edwin Tofslie’s mockup imagines a MacBook Touch that looks like a large iPhone, with the ability to dock with the iMac. Kind of a cool idea, but we’re unsure Apple would go for the docking concept.

Apple iPad

Flickr user kleber_zion imagines a large iPhone with touch-screen file browsing ala Cover Flow. It’s an attractive device, but seems a little predictable: we hope Apple will innovate more than this.

Apple NetBook (Mac Format)

Created by illustrator Adam Benton on commission by Mac Format magazine, these images show an iPhone-like tablet (although the magazine calls it a NetBook) with an optional external keyboard and Bluetooth headset. We love the idea of the wireless keyboard, which would make the tablet equally useful for both work and creative pursuits.

MacBook Touch Gray (Gizmodo)

Gizmodo has been illustrating its Apple tablet posts with this mockup of a “MacBook Touch”, the winner of a design contest on the site. We’re not huge fans of the heavy, industrial look, but there’s no doubt it has an Apple feel to it. What’s more, GarageBand would be a lot more fun with a touchscreen piano.

Apple Tablet (PC World)

Although the full size image is no longer available on their site, we’re fairly sure this tasty mockup originated with PC World. While many Apple tablet mockups have a borderless screen, this one is a little more robust-looking with its thick plastic edging. Also notable is that it appears to run the full Mac OS, albeit with icons inspired by the iPhone OS. One aspect we don’t like: the keyboard is too small and the inclusion of the touch wheel is just odd.

MacBook Touch Black

In July, Isamu Sanada envisioned a minimalist “MacBook Touch” that looks like a large iPod Touch. The device works both horizontally and vertically and appears to run the iPhone OS. The screen size looks perfect, even if one of the images makes the device look a little too thick.

MacBook Tablet

Created by artist “pickupjojo” on DeviantArt, the “MacBook Tablet” features a large screen and minimalist look: we won’t be surprised if the Apple device looks very similar.

MacBook Touch (Tommaso Gecchelin)

In April, designer Tommaso Gecchelin posted his vision for a new MacBook Touch with a unique hinged design, allowing it to be closed when not in use. The device also comes with a stand for upright usage and dual touch screens, allowing one to double as a touch-sensitive keyboard. The presentation is beautiful, but we doubt Apple would go for something this fussy.

Real-World Mac Tablets

The Modbook

There’s actually a Mac tablet on the market already…just not one made by Apple. The famous “Modbook” by Axiotron is a heavily modified MacBook that allows input via a pen. Various models are available on the Axiotron website.

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iTab

Like the Modbook, the iTab is a real-life Mac tablet. Unlike the Modbook, you can’t buy one: it’s a one-off. Built from a customized MacBook and operated by a pen, its creator not only posted images and a video, but also documented the build process on his site.

Which is your favorite Apple Tablet mockup? Let us know in the comments.

Tags: apple, mac, macbook touch, Tablet, touch screen