Apple patent hints at foldable iMac with built-in keyboard and trackpad

The foldable iMac will also house a keyboard and a trackpad, offering a futuristic looking slim and stylish form factor.

Foldable iMac | Folding iMac | Apple iMac patent

The rear stand might double up an input hub. (Image Source: Yanko Design/PatentlyApple)

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Apple recently updated a patent that explores the idea of an iMac with a foldable glass panel. Originally filed in 2020, the patent has been modified a couple of times, with the European Patent Office publishing the latest update on August 30.

First spotted by PatentlyApple, the patent reveals that Apple is exploring the possibility of a foldable iMac with a folding glass panel that will house a keyboard and trackpad. Instead of opting for a traditional hinge-based mechanism—something which is common on foldable phones and laptops—the tech giant seems to be interested in bending the glass panel itself, with the lower part of the iMac featuring a slidable keyboard and trackpad.

The back of the machine features a rear stand that acts as a support structure that can double up as an input hub, allowing users to connect peripherals like a Bluetooth mouse or external displays.

The foldable iMac’s angle can be adjusted to user preferences. (Image Source: PatentlyApple)

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As for the keyboard, the patent says the display may be “thermoformed, slumped, heat-pressed or otherwise processed to form an array of raised key regions.” Apple might also go with an opening in the housing that hides the keyboard in the back support.

According to Apple, the machine will occupy less desk space when folded with the back support coming in handy if you want to adjust the angle of the screen. The lower part of the desktop can also be folded, making it easier to carry. However, there seems to be no way to change the height of the display and the device might not be VESA compatible. Another thing to note here is that the patent does not mention any kind of battery.

Some recently spotted patents filed by Apple include a VR headset that lets users plug in their iPhones, motion-based voice detection for Siri and a notch on MacBooks and desktops with support for FaceID. While Apple files a lot of patents every year, most of them are mere concepts and are not used in consumer devices.