A glass MacBook Air sounds like an impossible dream, but it could become a reality much sooner than you think.
Apple's patents have shown an interesting trend in recent years.
The rumors about Apple's interest in launching Mac products made of glass are not new, but the presentation of a new patent provides additional information on how a MacBook Air made entirely of this material could work. According to a recent report, Apple has secured two patents, one of which pertains to a glass enclosure for a future MacBook Air that could incorporate a virtual keyboard and trackpad. Additionally, it was revealed that the company had also patented a design for an iMac built with a sheet of glass.
It is suggested that Apple has been working on this design concept since at least 2011, and the new patents indicate that these ideas are not merely occasional but could be part of a future trend. The patents describe an electronic device whose enclosure provides input/output functionality, meaning that "the user interface is part of the enclosure, and it receives inputs and/or provides outputs for the device." One or more surfaces of the enclosure are designed to accept or provide user inputs and outputs when the device or the surfaces are activated. Therefore, the enclosure is considered part of the system rather than a separate mechanism.
Despite the advanced technology that would be incorporated into this glass enclosure, which could make it more fragile, the plan seems to be to protect the internal components while also offering an attractive appearance. This development is complemented by a previous patent related to finger devices, which would "be used with glass keyboards to reduce pressure on the user's fingers on a solid glass surface."
While the idea of a glass MacBook Air or iMac seems luxurious, it becomes a more suitable proposal as a proof of concept rather than a marketable product. The main downside of these devices is undoubtedly their fragility. A glass iMac could be viable if a material similar to that of windshields were used, which is much more resistant to breaks.
However, the glass MacBook Air could be a potential disaster, especially for families with children or pets, or for adults with motor disabilities who fear damaging such a fragile device. This product sounds like something aimed at a high-end market, especially since the cost of such a device would be very high, given the advanced technology and quality of materials involved, in addition to over a decade of investment in research and development that Apple might wish to recoup.
Despite the above, it is likely that such devices would attract loyal Apple enthusiasts, who would probably purchase these computers regardless of their high price or impracticality in practice, something that Apple might be considering in its strategy.
