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It Looks Like Apple is Killing the Physical Esc and Power Keys On New MacBook Pro

Posted by msmash on from the no-escape dept.

Curious minds on the internet have uncovered an image file on their Mac, which was added by Apple in the latest macOS update. The image reveals a new laptop that fully fits the description of rumored MacBook Pro, which Apple is expected to launch on October 27. The laptop in the picture has what seems like a "contextual" OLED display (some are calling it Magic Toolbar display) on the top. What's interesting from that picture is that there's no physical Escape key or Power key to be found anywhere.

Editor's note: We usually tend to avoid covering leaks and rumors, but several readers pitched the story to us, and media outlets are also covering it now, which adds some credibility to the matter.

9 of 524 comments (clear)

  1. How is everyone supposed to use Emacs? by hey! · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just joking. Of course we'll all just have to change our key bindings.

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    1. Re:How is everyone supposed to use Emacs? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      maybe the Esc key will be available as an over priced dongle?

    2. Re: How is everyone supposed to use Emacs? by AthanasiusKircher · · Score: 5, Funny

      Which is why it's called an "Escape" key. You use it under exceptional conditions. You don't want it underfoot, but when you need it, it needs to be there.

      First they came for my floppy drive, and I did not speak out, because floppies were slow and I was glad to be rid of them anyway.

      Then they came for my CD-ROM drive, and I did not speak out, because I appreciated a lighter, more compact laptop.

      Then they came for my headphone jack, and I did not speak out, because I use my damn phone as a phone, not a stereo.

      Then they came for my escape key, and I knew there was no way out.

      They they came for my power button, and there was no one left to hear the perpetual screams.

      And my MacBook, never flickering, still is sitting, still is sitting
      By the pallid bust of Steve Jobs just above my basement door;
      And its screen has all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
      And the process o'er it streaming throws exceptions galore;
      And my soul from out that process started back in days of yore
      Shall be turned off -- nevermore!

  2. It takes courage to not Esc... by npslider · · Score: 4, Funny

    It takes courage to not Escape.

  3. At long last by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Thanks to Apple, we will at last purge the filthy vi heathens. Let the thousand-year reign of emacs begin!

  4. Oh noes! by mwvdlee · · Score: 3, Funny

    Please tell me they atleast still have the PrtScn/SysRq and Pause/Break buttons!

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  5. Re:Ah, minimialism by npslider · · Score: 4, Funny

    Perhaps Apple has ran out of useful features to add to their new products and have been forced to resort to this.

    Just look at how much more gorgeous the new iPhone 7 looks without that ugly cowardly headphone jack!

  6. There is no escape! by sinij · · Score: 2, Funny

    Apple listened to consumer concerns that complained that escape key had negative connotations and often triggered traumatic memories of entrapment and escape and male dominance. Therefore, to show its progressive stance ESC and Power keys were permanently removed. Instead, they were replaced with a single Sympathy key that does nothing.

  7. Re:In our vision of the "new" connected world: by npslider · · Score: 4, Funny

    You can always just remove the batter...

    Oh poo.