Apple patent points to a modular MacBook future – and a record player
Plug and play
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Patent applications often give us an interesting window into what a company is plotting, and a newApple MacBookone just came to light: it shows off a computing device that can have different elements (like a keyboard) connected to it magnetically.
Thepatent(viaGizmodo) describes the device, which “can be reconfigurable to include one or more electrical devices in various configurations” – and displays and keyboards are specifically mentioned and shown in the accompanying diagrams.
It puts us in mind of theFramework DIY laptopin terms of modular laptops, thoughApple’s plans look substantially different. The patent was first applied for a couple of years ago, though it was only approved earlier this week.
As always with patents, this isn’t a guarantee that a modular MacBook is ever going to appear – it just shows that Apple’s engineers are thinking about ways in which they could innovate with the design and functionality of its laptops.
Vinyl vibrations
AsAppleInsiderpoints out,Microsoftapplied for a similar set of patents ahead of launching the Surface series of products. It’s possible that Apple is thinking of blurring the line between laptops and tablets even further.
While there are no 2-in-1 MacBooks right now, the steady evolution of iPadOS has meant it’s now more like a desktopoperating systemthan ever. We might soon see something like theSurface Pro 9from Apple.
Interestingly, one of the diagrams included with the patent shows a record turntable in front of a display, as one of the possible attachments. Music producers or DJs could use the setup, complete with a touchscreen display, Apple suggests.
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Whether or not Apple is going to bring out an LP player of its own remains to be seen, but it shows off the versatility of the system being proposed. For now, watch this space: any device like this is probably still several years away.
Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.
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