Sometimes you just gotta go downhill to get the thrill of the exciting improvements. 🤣
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Working on 20.5-Inch All-Screen Foldable Notebook for 2025
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This size is effectively two 12.9” iPad Pro’s joined together, with the folded size measuring ~8.5” x 11”. I noted this in another forum about the foldable iPad. In regards to the fold/crease line, there is really no way to eliminate it completely. I certainly wouldn’t hold my breath that the screen will be durable. If this will come to fruition, it will have the same kind of ultra thin glass that other companies are using, no doubt with a top layer of film to protect the glass.
Don’t think about using a Pencil on it, at least not in the same way you can with the current iPad‘s rigid glass screen cover. I’d even be worried about typing on the bottom half of the screen daily if this were used in traditional laptop mode. Between the repeated key presses in the same areas, and the oils and dirt you’ll be needing to wipe off regularly, the screen protector will get worn quickly.
These products will never see the light of day. just too goofy. Too preposterous. Repairing a simple MacBook display is incredibly expensive without Apple Care and I doubt the price of Apple Care will remain the same if a ridiculous product like this goes into the wild.
That was my second thought when i saw the headline. First thought: Could be clever if it can run Mac and iOS.
I can't see any Apple engineers standing for the crease and dent in the middle off a nice flat swiping surface. Until they can make a foldable without a crease, or a feelable gap at the fold, I don't see Apple doing it at all.
I think you're right - apple does R&D on a lot of stretch projects, and only picks one or two a decade to produce. People leak those and the press hyperventilates.
I'm skeptical about the AR glasses too. Just don't see the use case at scale.
Except that it's not being described as a portable monitor, and to use it as one would require some kind of stand (also portable?) or way to prop it up. It sounds more like a really big iPad, which might be interesting for drawing or consuming visual media, but I'm not seeing the appeal of a large "iPad-ish" notebook over a proper laptop.
Last edited:
Anyone who thinks Apple will release something that has even a hint of a lump/bubble/hinge protrusion in the screen material is on crack. There is *not a chance* that is happening.
This product is interesting. I don't believe this would be a MacBook Pro replacement as Pro users would never use a software keyboard. But I could see that as a new product category between Mac and iPad
You'll need to get used to it. Apple believes future MacBooks will just need to be be a duel OLED device.
Nothing will ever happen to physical keyboards, full stop. But if Apple decided to be the sole manufacturer in the world dumb enough to think people would prefer typing on flat glass, then the good news is there are countless other computer manufacturers out there besides Apple.
Unfortunately this is possibly what Apple thinks the future is from your perspective. There's loads of patents relating to touch screen "duel screen" Macs, including desktop iMac all-in-one devices.Nothing will ever happen to physical keyboards, full stop. But if Apple decided to be the sole manufacturer in the world dumb enough to think people would prefer typing on flat glass, then the good news is there are countless other computer manufacturers out there besides Apple.
I don't think it's a big deal to be honest. I've had to make do with my iPad Pro's touch screen keyboard at times and I've been able to get up to full typing speed in no time with no fatigue. A gigantic touchscreen area brings limitless possibilities to what potential future machine could do. Think how app specific features were almost a thing with the Touch Bar, but it didn't really take off due to the limit space and developers not really having an incentive to do anything with the Touch Bar. An entire area designated to touch input & app specific interaction on the other hand is a different story.
I mean I’m not saying your wrong. I could see Apple doing something as insane as that. However, as boneheaded as Apple often is, I believe that even they have enough sensibility to know that physical keys are necessary for extended typing. Touch screens are fine for short bits of typing, but I don’t think anyone would want to write an essay on an iPad touchscreen. The fact that Apple sells keyboard accessories for the iPad be proof of that.
In regards to those patents you mentioned — perhaps this foldable device in the original post could be the evolution of that idea. Just one big screen instead of two.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
As cool as folding devices are, I'm simply not interested.
I have an M2 MBA, a 12.9" iPad, an iPhone 12 Pro and an Apple Watch 7. Each is outstanding at its intended tasks.
But due to my experience with the iPad (which I used as my only computer for 6 months), I find that trying to merge use cases leads to a middle-ground experience that is neither here nor there for me, especially when attempting Mac or browser-related tasks. iPadOS is simply not there yet, Stage Manager or not (I NEVER use it).
Thus, iPad for iPad tasks, Mac for laptop/desktop tasks, and phone + watch for mobile tasks.
The iPad, however, is the Sun in my Apple solar system.
I have an M2 MBA, a 12.9" iPad, an iPhone 12 Pro and an Apple Watch 7. Each is outstanding at its intended tasks.
But due to my experience with the iPad (which I used as my only computer for 6 months), I find that trying to merge use cases leads to a middle-ground experience that is neither here nor there for me, especially when attempting Mac or browser-related tasks. iPadOS is simply not there yet, Stage Manager or not (I NEVER use it).
Thus, iPad for iPad tasks, Mac for laptop/desktop tasks, and phone + watch for mobile tasks.
The iPad, however, is the Sun in my Apple solar system.
Might just be an iPad screen with a keyboard attachment integrated ?
Or am I aiming too low ?
Or am I aiming too low ?