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!
Read More [via PatentlyApple]
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!
Read More [via PatentlyApple]