Apple has been granted a patent (number 11,246,233) for a Mac desktop with a detachable display. This removable display could be used as a secondary display for a laptop. Or it could be connected to an Apple TV set-top box to watch TV shows and movies without a traditional television set.
About the patent
In the patent, the tech giant notes that desktop screens may have display areas measuring 20 or more inches along a diagonal. For example, many desktop monitors include a display area measuring 27 inches along a diagonal, but these monitors are conventionally designed to be left on a desktop and physically connected to a power outlet and/or desktop computer or docking station.
However, Apple says it would be cool if the desktop monitor could be connected to a video source such as a set top box or a laptop computer with an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output.
However, in some instances, it is preferable that these monitors to be more mobile such that the monitor can be detached from the stand and taken on the go. For example, those in industries including in film, advertising, or fashion may prefer to take a large format display to locations to provide enriched presentations that can be viewed by a large number of people. Conventionally, however, these people have relied on small format devices such as a tablet computer.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent with the technical details: “This application relates to a magnetic attachment mechanism attached to a stand for a display unit. The display unit includes a housing enclosing a display panel. The housing has a recess formed on a rear surface of the housing to accept the magnetic attachment mechanism.
“The magnetic attachment mechanism includes a magnetic element that is magnetically coupled to a corresponding magnetic element in the housing of the desktop display device when the magnetic attachment mechanism is inserted into the recess. The magnetic attachment mechanism also includes a latch mechanism that locks the display unit to the stand when the latch mechanism is engaged with a surface feature of the recess. The latch mechanism can be disengaged to allow for mobility of the display unit as separated from the stand.”
