According to Patenly Apple, Apple has patented a keyboard with a built-in computer. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent number is 20220057845 dated February 24, 2022. Apple applied for this patent in August 2020.
The patent states that all the necessary computing components will be placed under the keyboard - a system on a chip (CPU with a video chip) with RAM soldered nearby, input / output systems, a storage system (flash memory chips), wireless modules. To operate the device, you only need a monitor, it will be possible to connect several monitors. Instead of a mouse, if necessary, it is proposed to use the trackpad built into the keyboard.
Pictures of the device components and elements of the Apple "computer in an input device" patent are located in this US Patent Office document. In one of the versions of the device, it is supposed to be folded with a “book” for more convenient transportation.
It's like a Mac mini on the M1 chip in a slightly thicker Magic Keyboard with one external connector for connecting peripherals and power supply. Probably, the number of external ports may be more if Apple decides to produce such a keyboard with a PC.
Apple has clarified that there may be air-cooled variants of such a device. Then fans will be added to the keyboard. It also plans to use thermally conductive materials to dissipate heat throughout the case and install battery cells for autonomous use of the device.
In November 2020, the Raspberry Pi Foundation introduced the Raspberry Pi 400 for $70. This is an analogue of the Raspberry Pi 4 microcomputer, but with some modifications. All its elements are located inside a small keyboard.
Currently, Kickstarter continues to raise funds for a modern version of a compact PC with a keyboard - ZX Spectrum Next (NextZXOS OS, Z80 processor, new features added - support for SD cards, a port for connecting Raspberry Pi Zero and others), the original of which was created on 40 years ago.
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