Apple has been granted a patent (number 11,366,523) for a device having an “integrated interface system.” It hints at a future Mac laptop with a removable display that could be used as a tablet.
In the patent Apple says a portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case.
The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.
Apple has denied any plans to make an iPad that runs macOS or a Mac with a touchscreen. However, this and other patents show that the tech giant is at least experimenting with the possibilities.
