Apple has filed a patent for a Mac built inside of a keyboard. The patent application is numbered 20220057845 and entitled 'COMPUTER IN AN INPUT DEVICE'.
Essentially, the company has envisioned a Magic Keyboard that you can simply plug into an external monitor and power supply. The device would contain all of the components of a high performance computer within its housing.
Here's how Apple describes it...
The computing device can include an input component positioned at the external surface. The computing device can include a processor disposed within the internal volume, and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory can be disposed within the internal volume. The computing device can further include a singular input/output port positioned at an orifice defined by the enclosure. The singular input/output port can be communicatively coupled to the processor and the memory. The singular input/output port can receive data and/or power from one or more ancillary devices (e.g., a computer monitor). The singular input/output port can also output data and/or power from the processor to one or more ancillary devices (e.g., a computer monitor) positioned adjacent the computing device.
Apple also explains why this would be better than a MacBook.
Although portable computing devices, such as laptops and tablets, can be docked at an office or home-office station that includes a secondary display to provide a computing experience that is similar to a desktop computing experience, these devices still require an additional set of input devices to imitate a desktop computing device. Further, the primary display of devices such as laptops and tablets often may not be used when the device is docked to a station that includes a secondary display, adding potentially unnecessary size and cost to such portable computing devices.
Given the power that Apple can pack into a compact device such as an iPhone or iPad, there is question the company could make this device a reality. Would you be interested in a keyboard Mac? Let us know in the comments!
At least Apple’s on board with their own iteration like their own VR headset (which no one else has tried to make for the Mac until Apple released a “good” computer in terms of how well it can be integrated), so at least they’re creating their own version of something that isn’t open source let alone be new, but is a breakthrough in their realm, plus Mac users are probably wanting a more portable Mac compared to the Mac mini anyway.
Kind of a genius idea. my question is the power supply. If it has enough ports to be useful, it'll need a massive brick, like every extensive dock has.