I wonder if Apple is testing this and we don't realize it yet

[revmacian]

Apple has included two separate processors, the Core i5/i7/i9 and the T2 that powers the Touch Bar, in some of the newer laptops - the T2 is basically an A11 chip found in older iOS devices and it runs a modified version of watchOS. BridgeOS is just what its name implies, it is intended to bridge the gap between an ARM processor (the T2) and an x86_64 processor (the Core i5/i7/i9 series). With all of the BridgeOS crashes I see getting reported, I have to wonder why the T2 and BridgeOS were implemented.

Could this be a precursor to Apple slowly removing the keyboard and trackpad on their laptops and replacing them with what is basically an iPad screen? This could have many benefits:
- Using a touch screen for keyboards and trackpads means no moving parts to wear out or replace
- The screen could change as needed for specific tasks (artwork, keyboard, computer aided drafting, etc.)
- Possibly making a laptop with the same water/dust resistant rating of the iPhone 8

If you remember the keynote for the first iPhone release, Steve Jobs explained why the first iPhone had a software keyboard instead of a hardware keyboard (the "bottom 40") - it was so the keys could change to meet the task at hand.

"You can't run around and add a button to these things, they're already shipped" - Steve Jobs

With the way Apple seems to focus on thinner and lighter, I have to wonder.

 

[Schranke]

I bet you that they have tested this or are in the progress of doing so. I highly doubt that we will see it.
if we were to see something it might be the trackpad, not the keyboard itself.

And getting to the same water/dust resistance is not possible on a pro model as long as it need to do the workloads that they are used for. The rMB might be a possibility as it only have (did they upgrade it to 2 USB-C?) 1 port to secure and no air vents.

 

[revmacian]

I bet you that they have tested this or are in the progress of doing so. I highly doubt that we will see it.
if we were to see something it might be the trackpad, not the keyboard itself.

And getting to the same water/dust resistance is not possible on a pro model as long as it need to do the workloads that they are used for. The rMB might be a possibility as it only have (did they upgrade it to 2 USB-C?) 1 port to secure and no air vents.

Oh right, the air vents. They'd have to do something different with the cooling system. But, the force touch trackpad on the newer laptops are basically only a digitizer now, they've removed the moving part of that mechanism.

 

[Moonjumper]

Physical keys are much better for typing, especially when you are not typing directly on the screen (as you need tactile feedback when not looking at the keyboard).

As for changing to meet the task, one possibility is e-ink displays within each key (prototypes have been shown by others), which would be better that the touchbar.

 

[revmacian]

Physical keys are much better for typing, especially when you are not typing directly on the screen (as you need tactile feedback when not looking at the keyboard).

As for changing to meet the task, one possibility is e-ink displays within each key (prototypes have been shown by others), which would be better that the touchbar.

Good point about touch typing - you need to know where the keys are without looking. This is the main reason I returned my iPad years ago and never bought another one. I can touch type on the iPhone, but it's far more difficult on the iPad.

Hmm.. e-ink displays within each key.. interesting. That would be a nice touch. I never did like the Touch Bar, though.

 

[Jssmith83]

If Apple could figure out how to give you the physical feel of a key press, I could see this happening. Actually, I could see them moving in this direction anyway since they have been fighting a war on key travel anyway.

It's an interesting idea, but wouldn't your idea basically be a larger iPad that bends? I'd rather just use the iPad.

 

[revmacian]

If Apple could figure out how to give you the physical feel of a key press, I could see this happening. Actually, I could see them moving in this direction anyway since they have been fighting a war on key travel anyway.

It's an interesting idea, but wouldn't your idea basically be a larger iPad that bends? I'd rather just use the iPad.

I believe that a crease in any material will weaken the structural integrity of the material near the crease. Many plastic containers, like mustard and catsup bottles, now have a foldable plastic mechanism in the lid structure. This folding of plastic will last long enough to use the contents in the container, but the crease in the fold will eventually cause the lid to break off due to weakening the plastic at the fold site. This is why you can break even the strongest metals and plastics by repeatedly folding them back and forth at the same site. The best way to overcome this weakening is with a hinge.

Apple will have to overcome that structural weakening before we'll ever see a folding computer that will last for the life of the device (5+ years?).

 

[Jssmith83]

Very true. I guess I should have said a hinge or even just two iPads. I like your theory, I'm not discounting it. Just thinking out loud.

 

[revmacian]

Very true. I guess I should have said a hinge or even just two iPads. I like your theory, I'm not discounting it. Just thinking out loud.

Two iPads connected by a hinge? Nintendo did something like that with the Nintendo DS. That's essentially what we would have if Apple replaced the trackpad and keyboard on their laptops with a large touch screen.

Thinking out loud is a good thing

 

[Fishrrman]

"Could this be a precursor to Apple slowly removing the keyboard and trackpad on their laptops and replacing them with what is basically an iPad screen?"

If it is, I would have NO interest in a "Mac" laptop that has neither a real keyboard nor a touchpad.

I'd rather stick to a desktop Mac, or use some other product or OS...

 

[chrfr]

Could this be a precursor to Apple slowly removing the keyboard and trackpad on their laptops and replacing them with what is basically an iPad screen?

Apple already offers a product which meets that need.

 

[stevemiller]

Apple already offers a product which meets that need.

and offers the keyboard as an upsell to regain some of that functionality

 

[revmacian]

Apple already offers a product which meets that need.

No, apple does not offer anything like that. What I’m describing is a vertical display-only screen connected to a second horizontal touch-only screen via a mechanical hinge. I haven’t seen apple offer anything like that.
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"Could this be a precursor to Apple slowly removing the keyboard and trackpad on their laptops and replacing them with what is basically an iPad screen?"

If it is, I would have NO interest in a "Mac" laptop that has neither a real keyboard nor a touchpad.

I'd rather stick to a desktop Mac, or use some other product or OS...

I couldn’t agree more, I have to have a physical keyboard or I simply cannot operate in a screen that large.

 

[Falhófnir]

For someone who does a lot of typing this would be an extremely poor user experience, there’s little enough dampening on the KB as it exists, and at least there the keys are giving just a little - drumming your fingers on a solid glass surface, haptic feedback or no, for hours at a time doesn’t sound appealing in the slightest

 

[cfdlab]

If Apple continues its current trend of lousy mac design, then they can come up with a touch keyboard also, I wouldn't be surprised. All good things come to an end, sadly.

 

[Grey Area]

And getting to the same water/dust resistance is not possible on a pro model as long as it need to do the workloads that they are used for. The rMB might be a possibility as it only have (did they upgrade it to 2 USB-C?) 1 port to secure and no air vents.

Agreed, something small and "weak" like the rMB is where I could see this. Rugged computer manufacturers usually try to keep their devices passively cooled; they have massive metal casings to help with this, and yet they still often need to resort to a fan for the models with the most power. With high end CPUs and GPUs regularly approaching 100 °C, something like a slim, powerful and a fanless MBP would be tricky.

On an ultraportable a touch keyboard might be more acceptable to the user, too. The keyboards are pretty cramped anyway, and users are likely to use an external keyboard when not travelling. A touch keyboard for working on the move might not be that much worse, and if it is slimmer and more rugged, then the trade-off might be worth it. Lenovo is already trying this with the C930 Yoga Book, a weak little 10" ultraportable.