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In its quest to make computers insanely slim, Apple has been looking into ways to make existing keyboards even thinner. A patent revealed this week shows it might be possible to shrink size, but who knows what it could do to performance.
Reported by Apple Insider, the patent describes how keyboards could be made thinner while attempting to maintain usability.
One of Apple’s solutions is a single support lever keyboard mechanism. The system, it’s suggested, would mean keys with a total travel range of as little as 0.2 millimeters. Given the number of complaints I hear about key travel on modern keyboards, I’m not sure how well that would work.
It also suggests that keys could be made of any material, listing potential materials that could be used as glass, wood, stone, and even “polished meteorite.” I really, really want a keyboard made of polished meteorite.
Another solution suggests that the keys could be flexible, as in the image above, with a sprung lever to provide a positive feeling while typing. One of the plus points here, according to the patent, is that it would reduce the tapping sounds that keyboards currently make.
While these concepts might make for slimmer keyboards, I’m skeptical as to whether they’d help with my typing. [Apple Insider]
Why bother to maintain usability?
Apple keyboards have sucked to type on for so long, people probably won’t notice if you can no longer even press the keys.
I really hate modern keyboards. They suck.
Where I find Apple and other modern keyboards better than the old clunky ones which some people such as yourself love.
I think you’d probably get the same response as mine from a professional typist.
How many words per minute can you type on your keyboard?
Surely it just has to do with what you are used to. I would assume someone could type faster on a modern day keyboard as the travel range of the keys is much smaller so their fingers travel a shorter distance. I personally use both types on a basis and much prefer the apple keyboard on my mac.
Well, any attempt at a new keyboard can’t be bad as their last one.
The diagram makes it look like they are making a 70′s music centre. Will it have authentic wood effect chipboard?