New Apple Patent Shows Integrated iMac Design with Single Curved Sheet of Glass

A new patent application filed by Apple suggests that the company is planning for an ambitious design for an all-in-one computer that integrates display as well as keyboard into a single curved glass sheet.

According to a patent published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (via MacRumors), the device — called “Electronic Device with Glass Housing Member” — is an all-in-one design featuring the display situated at the upper portion and input controls in the lower. There is also a transitional section that connects the two halves which allow for a “continuous curved surface between the upper portion and the lower portion.”

The display itself would be embedded in this single curved piece of glass, which would also have a slot for a keyboard, while most of the internal hardware of the all-in-one would reside in a “wedge” extending from the back of the computer.

The device is sleek and ultra-modern, featuring a keyboard and two trackpads — one on either side. One of the patent drawings depicts the bottom of the display folding up for storage.

The patent also describes a way in which a MacBook could be docked in the rear of the device, allowing the screen to be used without owning its processing components. It appears that the keyboard could actually detach from the device, allowing a MacBook to slide in its place.

The patent says: “The electronic device may include a display coupled to the glass housing member and configured to provide a visual output at the display area.”

“The electronic device may include an input device coupled to the glass housing member and configured to detect inputs at the input area,” the patent continues. “The electronic device may include a support structure coupled to the glass housing member and configured to support the computing device.”

While the patent itself doesn’t guarantee that such a device will see the light of the day, it isn’t difficult to imagine that the Cupertino company could be working on at least some form of a redesign to the device.

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