Apple fans are speculating madly about a new product code-named ‘brick’ that could be anything from a fat Mac Mini to an entirely new product category.
The word ‘brick’ has Apple fans speculating particularly fervently. It goes against the company’s traditional code-naming practices, and evokes images of a very un-Apple object, although the Apple mouse is kind of a brick and the iPhone is, too. Websites and forums are lit up with speculation– not that Apple fans need anything in particular to get the speculative juices flowing. It’s become almost de rigueur… as soon as a product is officially out, the rumor mill starts up about the next one, like clockwork, every quarter. Indeed, it’s part of Apple’s business model by now.
The ‘brick’ rumour started circulating when the Apple-oriented website 9to5 Mac spoke to an Asia-based tipster, who said next month’s ‘Big Event’ will be “all about ‘the brick.'” 9-to-5 says the tipster is “reliable” — as the source had previously made the early call on this month’s ‘rainbow colored’ Nano, though the initial interpretation among Apple fans led to expectations for a single ‘rainbow colored’ device rather than the device eventually delivered in a ‘rainbow of colors.’
On MacRumors forums, readers are speculating Apple might be taking a page from Gateway’s playbook and will bring us a standalone input hub like the one pictured above
ComputerWorld writer Seth Weintraub posits the brick is a wireless USB hub similar to one already on offer by Belkin:
iPhoneSavior thinks it’s possibly a redesigned Mac Mini:
The Mac scientists at MacEnstein wonder if we can simply look for a Windows-killer. Hint: How do you break windows? With a brick.
What do you think Apple’s ‘brick’ might be?
31 responses to “One More Rumor – It’s a Brick!”
A mac mini?
I think the “Brick” will be a release of OS X that will run natively on any p.c. hardware. This will be the “Brick” that Apple throws through Microsofts “Windows”!
I think it will be something stackable if thats a word.
My bet is an external harddisk system or some server stuff.
But it would indeed be a nice name for a new mini……..
I think it will be something stackable if thats a word.
My bet is an external harddisk system or some server stuff.
But it would indeed be a nice name for a new mini……..
If the rumor is true, could the “Brick” mean a return of the Cube?
Some vocal Apple fans have been clamoring for years for a box that’s upgradeable, less powerful than a Mac Pro and more powerful than a Mac Mini, but configurable as well. Even if it’s price compatible with the iMac, it would really be a different animal than the iMac.
The corporate world could buy these up in bundles and not have to lose their investment in perfectly good already existing flat panel LCDs, and individuals could configure their own set-up their own way without being stuck with the monitor and computer being fused together (for those who care about such things), and not have too much power (MP) nor too little (MM). Apple could leave the Mini in place to attract the low end switchers, too.
A lineup featuring the top-end Mac Pro, the newly reintroduced Mac Cube, the iMac, the Mac Mini, and the Macbook/Macbook Pros would be killer because everybody would be satisfied. Apple’s main questions would be, “Will people buy it this time?” and “Will the Cube cannibalize iMac sales?”
The answer to that is as long as Apple doesn’t price it wrong like they did last time (meaning make it price compatible with the iMac), and add flexibility in configuration and upgradeability as well, then this time they could have a winner on their hands, especially with the enterprise.
Just my two cents.
Peace.
Olmecmystic
There’s no way they’d make such a big deal about a damn usb hub.
I still think–and have since I first heard this rumor–that it’s the power brick. –But kicked up a notch to include the ports that, for example, the MBA lacks. A single line into the machine itself that provides power and allows you to link, as needed, to ethernet, USB peripherals–whatever. That would work for me; the lack of ports has been what’s held me back from buying an Air, as I sometimes need ethernet and would use the USB port for other things.
The computer itself gets a svelte form factor that can be used away from the brick, but when needed, plug it in and everything is linkable–via the brick. If Apple can make it so that the brick itself is not too bulky, I think it’s a huge step forward.
the brick is a mac mini/apple TV with a huge drive and zero config networking.
We know one thing for sure-it won’t have more than one button.
I don’t believe the brick is going to be what most bloggers are speculating. Steve Jobs & Co. mentioned earlier this year that there was going to be some products released that will be breakthrough. So, what is breakthrough? Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO, made the comment that there was going to be some change. Ubergizmo wrote, “The new, unnamed product will continue to have “technologies and features that others can’t match,†according to the Oppenheimer.†So, there are two points a new product associated with product transition to cut back on its profit margins. Secondly, price changes. Note the correlation. I don’t think the “product transition†is another iteration of a laptop. A new product is not another style of something Apple has. The clues: Earlier this year Apple bought PA Semi for some $268 Million. The processor that was produced, at the time of acquisition, was the PPC based PWRficient processor some 2Ghz dual core 64bit running between 4 -7W, current stakeholder in the chip is the DOD. John Carmack, of ID and speaking about the iPhone technology, stated that “PowerVR SGX†was more powerful than Nintendo DS and PSP he also stated at another time that he thought programming in Objective-C was the one of if not the best platform to program. So, I believe the Next system the “Brick†will be a gaming system that includes both console and portable it will run the same games on both systems and the user will purchase the games from the online Apple store. Sure there will be a new portable line but Apple will introduce something new and I think this will be that new “transitional†product.
And maybe it’s just a new power supply to replace another one made by the iPhone’s supplier?
From Apple’s Dictionary widget;
brick
noun
1. A small rectangular block typically made of fired or sun-dried clay, used in building.
tablet
noun
a flat slab of stone, clay or wood used esp. for an inscription.
brick = tablet?
maybe a solid state hard drive?
I think it will be a tablet mac
Wait, I’ve got it: A Windows® PC!
I think it will be dinosaur flavored ice cream. For sure.