While the iPhone 12 has several color options, the MacBook has remained boring in terms of design over the past few years. Currently, the darkest color on the MacBook is "space gray," which is not that dark. Given our love of black technology products, this seems like an odd oversight.

However, if we take the new patent at face value, it appears that Apple is finally planning to catch up. Interestingly, the patent begins by revealing why black MacBooks don't exist.

"An enclosure for a portable electronic device may include an anodized layer that can be dyed a variety of colors to enhance its visual appeal to consumers," the patent states.

It goes on to explain, however, that "certain colors are much more difficult to achieve than others," and that "true black" is often a dark gray because the high-gloss finish of the anodized metal "reflects too much light.

Apple's answer to this problem is an "etched anodized surface" with "light trapping capabilities." Not only can this absorb "almost all visible light," but the patent has a second trick for the unabsorbed portions. It explains that "any visible light not absorbed by the light trapping feature is diffusely reflected by the light trapping feature."

Apple describes the material as having a "matte, low gloss finish." And while the patent application does not guarantee real-world activity, given the world's desire for black electronics, this feels like one of the safest bets.

The technology Apple describes in its patent is reminiscent of the Vantablack paint developed by UK-based Surrey NanoSystems to achieve the darkest black the human eye can see. However, given that artist Anish Kapoor owns the exclusive rights to the color, Apple will not be able to use Vantablack on future laptops.

Those with long memories will recall the days when black was an option on Apple laptops. Of course, that was more than a decade ago, and before the switch to aluminum and other metals, Apple used polycarbonate material for laptop casings.

It is hard to predict a black model of the MacBook without thinking of the short-lived Jet Black iPhone; this expensive Jet Black model, which was only available as a color option for the iPhone 7, is extremely scratch-resistant, and Apple's website says even added a note on Apple's website about "minor scuffs and scratches associated with use." It is worth noting that since then, Jet Black has not been used on any iPhone.

The MacBook's black color sounds different enough so that lightning doesn't strike twice. When making cosmetic changes to a long-running product line, it is important to avoid unintended consequences in the process.

Brittany Vincent contributed to this article.