There’s a rumor that Apple is working on a “lite” version of macOS for the M2-equipped iPad. I’m skeptical but the tech giant has filed for a patent (number 11480998) for a handheld portable device that can double as both a laptop and a tablet.
About the patent
In the patent, Apple notes that, in recent years, portable computing devices such as laptops, tablets, cell phones, etc.have become small, light and powerful. One factor contributing to this reduction in size can be attributed to the manufacturer’s ability to fabricate various components of these devices in smaller and smaller sizes while in most cases increasing the power and or operating speed of such components. Apple says that the trend of smaller, lighter and powerful presents a continuing design challenge in the design of some components of the portable computing devices. The new patent involves the design of the enclosures used to house the various internal components.
Apple’s idea is for its portable electronic device to be made of a single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as rectangular block of aluminum, using computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools and associated techniques. The design would allow for SIM installation, enclosed speakers, and more.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.”
