Portable computer with dynamic display interface

1. A laptop computer comprising:

a display portion comprising a primary display configured to display a first graphical output; and

a base portion coupled to the display portion, the base portion comprising:

a keyboard comprising a set of keys;

a light-transmissive cover defining:

a key web defining a set of keyboard openings, each key of the set of keys extending through a respective keyboard opening of the set of keyboard openings; and

a touch-sensitive input region positioned along a side of the keyboard and defining:

a first portion having a first surface texture; and

a second portion surrounding the first portion and having a second surface texture that is different from the first surface texture; and

a secondary display positioned under the touch-sensitive input region, wherein:

in a first mode of operation, a first area of a first trackpad region is defined by the first surface texture; and

in a second mode of operation, a second area of a second trackpad region is defined by an image displayed by the secondary display in the second portion of the touch-sensitive input region, the image configured to:

define an expanded trackpad area in the second portion of the touch-sensitive input region, the expanded trackpad area at least partially surrounding the first trackpad region; and

produce a visual appearance, within the expanded trackpad area, that mimics an appearance of the first surface texture.

2. The laptop computer of claim 1 , wherein:

the touch-sensitive input region is a first touch-sensitive input region positioned along a first side of the keyboard;

the light-transmissive cover further defines a second touch-sensitive input region along a second side of the keyboard;

the base portion further comprises a tertiary display positioned under the second touch-sensitive input region;

the first touch-sensitive input region corresponds to a palm rest region that is below the keyboard;

the second touch-sensitive input region corresponds to a left side or a right side of the keyboard and is not positioned below the keyboard; and

the secondary display has an equal or higher resolution than the tertiary display.

3. The laptop computer of claim 2 , wherein:

the base portion further comprises a housing component; and

the light-transmissive cover is a monolithic glass member that is attached to the housing component.

4. The laptop computer of claim 1 , wherein the second surface texture of the second portion is smoother than the first surface texture of the first portion.

5. The laptop computer of claim 1 , wherein the light-transmissive cover further defines a continuous input surface extending over the touch-sensitive input region.

6. The laptop computer of claim 1 , further comprising a light source configured to illuminate the key web.

7. The laptop computer of claim 6 , wherein:

the light source is configured to:

in a third mode of operation, illuminate a first portion of the key web with a first illumination pattern; and

in a fourth mode of operation, illuminate a second portion of the key web with a second illumination pattern; and

the first portion of the key web overlaps with the second portion of the key web.

8. The laptop computer of claim 1 , wherein:

the first surface texture is formed from the light-transmissive cover; and

the second surface texture is formed from the light-transmissive cover.

9. The laptop computer of claim 1 , wherein, in the second mode of operation, the image displayed by the secondary display is visible through the first portion of the touch-sensitive input region.

10. A laptop computer comprising:

a display portion comprising a primary display configured to display a graphical user interface; and

a base portion coupled to the display portion, the base portion comprising:

a keyboard comprising a set of keys;

a light-transmissive cover defining:

a keyboard opening, the set of keys extending at least partially through the keyboard opening; and

a touch-sensitive input region along a bottom side of the keyboard and including a first region having a first surface texture and a second region that at least partially surrounds the first region and has a second surface texture that is different than the first surface texture, the first region defining a trackpad region; and

a secondary display positioned under the touch-sensitive input region and configured to display a graphical output through the light-transmissive cover, the graphical output defining an expanded trackpad region in the second region of the touch-sensitive input region, the expanded trackpad region larger than the trackpad region and configured to produce a visual appearance within the expanded trackpad region that mimics an appearance of the first surface texture.

11. The laptop computer of claim 10 , wherein:

the first surface texture of the first region has a first roughness; and

the second surface texture of the second region has a second roughness that is smoother than the first roughness.

12. The laptop computer of claim 10 , wherein:

the laptop computer further comprises a haptic actuator coupled to the light-transmissive cover; and

the haptic actuator produces a haptic output via the light-transmissive cover in response to detecting a touch input that is inside of the expanded trackpad region and outside of the first region.

13. The laptop computer of claim 12 , wherein the haptic output is configured to reduce a tactile difference between the first region and the second region when a finger is slid across the second region.

14. The laptop computer of claim 12 , wherein:

the touch input includes an applied force; and

the haptic output is produced in response to determining that the applied force exceeds a threshold force.

15. A laptop computer comprising:

a display portion comprising a primary display configured to display a graphical user interface associated with an application program;

a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion, the base portion comprising:

a keyboard comprising a set of electromechanical keys;

a light-transmissive cover defining an input region along a side of the keyboard and defining:

a first portion having a first surface texture; and

a second portion surrounding the first portion and having a second surface texture different from the first surface texture;

a touch sensing system configured to detect touch inputs applied to the first input region; and

an additional display positioned under the light-transmissive cover, wherein:

in a first mode of operation, the first surface texture defines a first trackpad region; and

in a second mode of operation, the additional display displays, through the second portion of the input region, a graphical output defining a second trackpad region in the second portion of the light-transmissive cover, the second trackpad region at least partially encompasses the first trackpad region and produces a visual appearance, within the second trackpad region that resembles a visual appearance of the first surface texture.

16. The laptop computer of claim 15 , wherein the side of the keyboard is a palm rest region below the keyboard.

17. The laptop computer of claim 16 , wherein:

the additional display is configured to:

display the graphical output when the application program is active; and

when a different application program is active:

display a second graphical output defining a third trackpad region that at least partially encompasses the first trackpad region; and

display a third graphical output associated with the different application program.

18. The laptop computer of claim 17 , wherein the third graphical output defines a selectable control that controls an operation of the different application program.

19. The laptop computer of claim 16 , wherein the graphical user interface of the application program includes a first portion of an image.

20. The laptop computer of claim 19 , wherein

the graphical output further includes a movable preview window.