Apple Patent Visualizes A Mac-In-A-Keyboard For Hassle-Free Work On The Move

Photo 88925340 / Apple Magic Keyboard © Ulyanaandreeva | Dreamstime.com

Apple appears to have set its sights on building the future of remote work. Previously, the tech giant applied for a patent for a keyboard with a detachable key that can be used as a mouse, potentially eliminating the need to carry a clunky computer mouse everywhere. This time around, it’s dreaming bigger and considering stashing a whole computer inside the keyboard.

Last month, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent filing for what looks to be a Magic Keyboard with a built-in computing device. A seeming upgrade to the compact Mac Mini—and perhaps even the all-new Mac Studio—it would allow users to plug it into any home or office display and instantly have a fully functioning Mac, complete with a keyboard.

The company explains that—instead of having to inconveniently bring a laptop, multiple cables, or even a CPU “tower” everywhere—users would simply need to pack this individual device into their bags. The keyboard would have a trackpad, meaning a separate mouse wouldn’t be necessary, either.

Image via Apple / US Patent & Trademark Office

The all-in-one Magic Keyboard appears to share a similar concept with the existing Raspberry Pi 400 keyboard, which also stores a computing device to be used anywhere, as PCMag points out. The main difference is that Raspberry Pi’s version is meant to teach computing concepts, while Apple’s iteration is envisioned for general use.

Certainly, with an entire computer running inside the accessory, the visionary Apple keyboard runs the risk of overheating. The Cupertino company is thinking of mitigating this by including a pathway for air to pass through the keyboard.

In addition, it’s considering a “thermally conductive” base made of materials like copper, aluminum, brass, steel, and bronze, to disperse the heat, as well as a CPU with “thermal communication” to cool down the device and ensure it’s performing optimally.

As with most of Apple’s patents, however, this technology is merely conceptual—at least now. It’s unclear when, or even if, the company will return to this idea and make it a reality.

Image via Apple / US Patent & Trademark Office

[via Patently Apple, ExtremeTech, r/Apple, PCMag, images via various sources]