Apple has plans to include some radical design features in its future series of MacBook laptops.

According to two patent applications filed by the tech giant, Apple wants to make the most of the MacBook’s limited physical space, with a modular design that will allow for rows of keys to be removed and used as a mouse, and for the entire glass body of the computer to house hidden input keys.

The first patent: ‘Concealable input region for an electronic device’, outlines a device that features micro-perforations in the glass walls of the computer that can be used to beam light through, changing the nature of what a section of the computer can be used for by adding hidden features.

“A sensing element may be coupled and configured to detect input received within the input region,” the patent reads. “The array of micro-perforations are configured to be visually imperceptible when not illuminated by the light source. When illuminated by the light source, the array of micro-perforations may display a symbol.”

When coupled with touch function, this gives limitless options as to how the ‘keyboard’ section can be configured.

The second patent, ‘Deployable Key Mouse’ allows you to remove a key and use it as a mouse, or a “comfortable, portable, and precise pointer input”

“A computer input device can include a housing, a set of key switch mechanisms positioned in the housing, and a removable key structure that is operable between a first configuration positioned in the housing and a second configuration detached from the housing,” the patent explains.

“The removable key can have a position sensor, wherein in the first configuration, the removable key structure is operable to provide a key-based typing input, and, in the second configuration, the removable key structure is operable as a computer pointing device using the position sensor. The removable key structure can therefore allow comfortable, portable, and precise pointer input for a computer input system.”

As always, just because Apple patents a technology, doesn’t mean it will make it to the production stage. Still, both these patents seem practical and not too farfetched, meaning we will probably see them pop up before too long.