Future MacBooks could get this radical sci-fi keyboard

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)

Time to come MacBooks could come with a solid-state keyboard (SSK) with keys that could exist reconfigured to suit different tasks.

That'southward going by a new Apple patent (via 9to5Mac), which shows off a device with a sleek glass surface that tin suit the fundamental configuration depending on the app or survive someone is using. It could involve switching from a traditional keyboard layout for typing to a numeric keypad for information entry or a large cartoon area for more than creative endeavors.

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Made up of multiple sensor layers, the SSK effectively does away with traditional keys and the patent shows off something that'due south a little like a MacBook Pro crossed with the as-nevertheless-unreleased Microsoft Surface Neo.

But as striking as this design appears to be, it could come with a major catch: a lack of central feel and typing feedback.

Apple patent for MacBook solid-state keyboard — (Epitome credit: USPTO/ Apple)

The lack of tactile feedback isn't an piece of cake issue to ignore. Keyboards come in all sorts of flavors, only regardless of your preference, being able to experience the keys and have some feedback is something not a lot of people will desire to requite upwardly.

A glass surface that hinders touch on typing, and is uncomfortable to employ for long periods of time isn't an platonic merchandise-off. Mechanical keyboard fans will be even less probable to want to bandy those clickity-clackety keys for a subpar alternative. Apple does acknowledge these issues in a like 2018 patent but also noted at the time that: "traditional input devices lack the flexibility to accommodate expansive features offered past newer devices, operating systems, and software."

So in the new patent, Apple details the use of a flexible surface to simulate key experience while at the same time using an SSK to deliver new features.

Apple'southward patent proposes a flexible screen that "may form a low in the keyboard surface beneath the finger" when pressed to simulate keys. This can exist paired with haptic feedback, and an electrostatic charge to reinforce the feeling of typing on a traditional keyboard.

One benefit of using an SSK across adaptive keys would be its resistance to dirt and debris. No physical keys mean no infinite for debris to become into, something that fated the shallow travel on Apple tree'southward older Butterfly keyboards; the new Magic Keyboard uses scissor switches to deliver more primal travel and seemingly be more resistant to getting chock-full with clay.

We'll take to come across if the concept of a big glass keyboard volition drive forward the futurity of laptop keyboards or fall to the wayside. Of course, as with all patents, there'southward no guarantee that this volition ever see the light of day. But it's an interesting idea nonetheless, that could prove divisive amongst MacBook users.

More: Check out our Apple MacBook Pro with M1 review

Shabana is T3'southward News Editor covering tech and gaming, and has been writing about video games for most a decade (and playing them since forever). Likewise every bit contributing to Tom'due south Guide, she'due south had bylines at major gaming sites during her freelance career before settling down at T3, and has podcasts, streaming, and video content under her belt to boot. Exterior of piece of work, she also plays video games and should really recollect nearly expanding her hobbies.