The Atari ST was the dream computer that I couldn't afford. I was stuck on an Atari 800XL.
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Apple Imagines Mac-Inside-a-Keyboard Device Evocative of 80s Home Computers
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I’m not just an former 80s Radio Shack employee, but my first computer was a Tandy Color Computer. First monitor was a TV.
The original Model I, had a computer under the keyboard.
The monitor stand was the expansion interface.
The Model III included everything in the box. Bad idea but cool then.
Even some of the Tandy 1000 computers had everything in the box, less the screen.
I want a keyboard computer that doesn’t use Windows.
I’d love to have this!
Apple should jump on this before Google makes a ChromeBoard.
The original Model I, had a computer under the keyboard.
The monitor stand was the expansion interface.
The Model III included everything in the box. Bad idea but cool then.
Even some of the Tandy 1000 computers had everything in the box, less the screen.
I want a keyboard computer that doesn’t use Windows.
I’d love to have this!
Apple should jump on this before Google makes a ChromeBoard.
I beg to differ, the AIO form factor is an environmental nightmare in that the monitor will almost always outlive the "computer" parts and when the computer can no longer keep up it gets at best recycled, at worst tossed. I understand that some AIO manufacturers allow for video-in so that a dead AIO can still be used as a monitor but not all have this functionality and they should.
I will grant you that Apple lags far behind in repairability but even if it was easy to open, a warranty replacement of a motherboard still requires the unit to be shipped if a consumer cannot go to a store for repair. It is far easier and less costly to repair a mac mini or this proposed form where the "computer" is in the keyboard.
There is simply no good reason to combine the monitor and computer other than aesthetics.
So where do iMacs end up when they die?
Put HDMI input on iMac so it can be a monitor after the computer expires.
Equipment back then was always typically ALOT more resistant to spills and knocks. Doesn't work, take out your soldering iron and replace physical switch - easy. Spilt a drink? Wash the board off in a bucket and you'll probably be good to go in a couple of days.
The Dell keyboard I'm typing on has now has survived years of multiple spillages of coffee and vape juice. 8 screws and 30 seconds in the shower and it's back to normal (very ingenious method of protecting the switches).
However I've destroyed 3 Apple bluetooth keyboards and 4 MBP keyboards (2009-12 models so thankfully easy to replace) in the same time period.
On the Apple keyboards there was no spillages whatsoever, I just literally wore out the Cmd, Ctrl A,C,D,V and F keys.
I LOVE the concept, but the idea of an entire computer with a keyboard is not something I'm sure trust Apple with as everything will most likely be impossible to replace/repair.
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I like the concept but would question how repairable is the actual keyboard part of it. I’m guessing this would replace the base model iMac but if my iMac keyboard were to die I’m out $150 not $1000. Of course there’s always AppleCare
This looks more like a design patent where you patent a specific appearance of a product. It is designed to defend against direct clones. There may be functional patent elements in there that cover the details of how it is implemented. It is unlikely that they were granted a patent for “computer inside a keyboard”.
For my desktop computers I really don’t find it an issue. I have my gaming PC with a Razer keyboard that’s backlit. On it the backlighting is necessary because it’s black with transparent lettering so you can barely see the lettering with the light off. With my Magic Keyboard it’s white and the letters are easily visible. I don’t sit in my room with all the lights out though. If it was a laptop I would definitely want backlighting because what if I’m using it someplace outside without light or perhaps in bed right before I go to sleep.
Probably similar to the keyboard in a laptop. doable but not as cheap or easy as just ordering a new keyboard and plugging it into usb port.
I agree and also people don’t realize Apple patents a lot of things. They don’t all come to market
I’ve never replaced a keyboard on a laptop but I know when my old 13” MacBook Pro died they said the keyboard was attached to the whole top of the case so that had to be replaced and it was almost $1000. I can’t remember exactly but I paid under $2000 for the MacBook so decided not to get it fixed
Why? I think most people who use a desktop don’t use a trackpad and wouldn’t want one. I’m actually a fan of them but I find myself in the minority there. I can imagine if I didn’t want a trackpad but one was attached to the side of my keyboard. I would not be happy about that.
I'll admit that I rarely use my trackpad on my MacBook Pro. I have a wireless extended keyboard and mouse that I use exclusively. It is this fact that has made features like the control strip and touch id less useful because I hardly ever touch my laptop unless I am in a meeting. So having a computer inside my keyboard would have no impact on the work I do at my desk, but wouldn't help when I needed a laptop with a monitor for meetings.
The audience targeted for this device is an audience that has a monitor, that's who would be targeted.