Apple Files Patent for Mac in Keyboard

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Posted February 25, 2022 at 9:05pm by Shalom Levytam

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]

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ShadowOne - February 27, 2022 at 7:25am

It's not even a new idea. Check out products like the Raspberry Pi 400.

McApple1 - February 27, 2022 at 1:14pm

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.

nottooloud - February 26, 2022 at 3:12pm

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.