Table of ContentsTable of ContentsNot enough for serious typistsWe need an innovative solutionIm a lover of mechanical keyboards, so ever since I learned that Apple is supposedly working on a foldable tablet-slash-laptop, there was one concern that piqued my interest above all others: what will it be like to type on?After all, we know that Apple is at least considering a device like this. The company was recently granted a new patent detailing just such a product, and a slew of reliable leakers and supply chain analysts have exposed Apples plans in remarkable detail.Recommended VideosAnd while we dont know whether Apple is going to position this device primarily as an iPad or as a MacBook, in the end that all seems fairly irrelevant. Because really, youll almost certainly be able to use it in a laptop orientation. To save space and weight, that probably means a virtual keyboard, which will obviate the need for a separate iPad keyboard. After all, if this product can be folded out to become a large 20-inch tablet, as the rumors and patents have indicated, that means it will be an all-screen device.But that makes me rather worried: after all, a built-in keyboard in a foldable device surely means typing on a flat glass display. And as a fan of chunky, clicky, high-travel keyboards, thats absolutely the last thing I want to do.Digital TrendsWhile theyre fine for quick bursts, virtual keyboards are uncomfortable to type on for long periods of time. Tapping onto a solid glass surface with no give and movement is a sure-fire route to finger soreness, after all.A secondary problem is the lack of physical feedback, which leads to a dull typing sensation. Apple has a way to partially fix this using haptic feedback you can already enable this feature in iOS and iPadOS but will it be enough to satisfy serious typists? Im not convinced, especially when we consider the butterfly keyboard, which also offered little in the way of feedback and was a terrible typing experience from start to finish.And theres another issue: flat glass keyboards can also make you prone to mistakes. In the absence of defined keys with physical edges, landing your fingers on the right spots by touch alone is difficult. And if you have to keep looking down to hit the correct keys, youll be unavoidably slowed down.Aside from haptic feedback, we know Apple is thinking about other ways to improve flat keyboards. One solution as detailed in a patent is a deformable glass structure that could morph and move as you type. While that would probably be better than typing on a totally smooth surface, I cant imagine it will be able to compete with a more traditional keyboard.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsDont get me wrong, I think theres a lot to like in the idea of a large, foldable device like this iPad-MacBook hybrid. It could be fantastic for productivity, giving you a product that would be able to easily transition between tablet and laptop forms depending on your most pressing needs.But the keyboard remains a concern for me. If Apple cant get it right, a key part of the offering will be flawed, potentially leading to people either buying an external keyboard or avoiding the device altogether.Apples philosophy is to wait until it feels it has perfected a product before releasing it, and youll rarely see the company rushing to market just to compete with rivals (OK, Apple Intelligence aside). This gives me some hope that Apples foldable will come with an innovative solution to the typing problem and if theres one thing Apple excels at, its finding innovative solutions.Of course, theres no guarantee Apple will be able to overcome the obstacles sent its way by a flat glass keyboard. Just look at the butterfly keyboard Apples typing tendencies arent always on the money.For me, the keyboard will be the main test of this foldable device. It has to be enjoyable to actually use, especially if one of its main use cases is as a laptop. With the foldable expected to launch around 2028, Ill be waiting with bated breath.Editors Recommendations