Apple may be preparing to redesign how you use a MacBook. A newly granted patent (No. 12299215) outlines a MacBook that includes a built-in Apple Pencil, transforming the stylus into a multi-function input device. This isn’t just a storage slot—Apple wants the Pencil to serve as a dynamic tool for navigation and keyboard interaction.
Apple Pencil as a Mouse and Function Key Bar
According to U.S. Patent No. 12299215, the Apple Pencil would be docked in a recessed compartment just above the keyboard. While docked, the Pencil wouldn’t sit idle. Instead, it would act as a mouse, allowing you to move the on-screen cursor by physically manipulating the Pencil within its housing. A motion and position detection system in the retainer tracks how the Pencil moves, even if you’re not touching the trackpad.
What’s more, the Pencil replaces the top row of function keys. The retainer includes a lighting system that projects function key symbols (like volume, brightness, and playback controls) directly onto the Pencil. You’ll tap those symbols to activate functions, just like you would with physical F-keys.
The system also supports pressure sensitivity and touch detection. That means the Pencil can respond to how hard you press or where you touch it, adding more control options when it’s docked or undocked.
Beyond a Stylus: A Fully Integrated Input Tool
When removed from the MacBook, the Apple Pencil continues to function like a typical stylus, supporting drawing, writing, and touchscreen navigation. But Apple didn’t stop there. The patent describes advanced sensors that detect when the Pencil is removed or inserted. Once docked, it communicates with the MacBook to switch automatically between stylus and keyboard mode.
The design allows for wireless communication between the Pencil and the MacBook through sensors built into the housing. In some versions, the Pencil may recharge while docked, eliminating the need for separate charging accessories.
According to the patent filing, the design aims to reduce the need for multiple input devices while giving users more flexible, intuitive control over their MacBooks. The system could improve workflows for professionals who switch between keyboard typing, cursor control, and stylus input.
Apple was granted 64 patents this week, including one for a modular lens system for mixed-reality headsets and another for tracking swimming metrics using the Apple Watch. But the MacBook with a built-in, multi-function Apple Pencil stands out for its potential to redefine how you interact with your laptop.