Filed under: Rumors
What is The Brick?
The friendly folks over at Macenstein have a theory about The Brick -- a widely-rumored Apple product that may be debuting mid-October. So far, all we really know is the code name: "The Brick" (originally suggested by 9-to-5 Mac).
Many speculate that it refers to the form factor of the product -- whatever it may be -- but Macenstein has a different take: it's the Windows breaker. Get it? Like a real brick with a real window.
Apple may have a plan to pull significant market-share away from Microsoft using this product (or series of products). If true, it could be the missing piece of the puzzle that executives hinted about in Apple's Q3 conference call in July.
The question, of course, remains: what the heck is it already? A new, low-cost MacBook? An iTablet? Software? Let us know your predictions by leaving us a comment below.
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Reader Comments (Page 4 of 9)
Chris said 5:30PM on 9-22-2008
Its hard for me to believe that they would enable OS X on non Apple machines, OS X can't just work on any system, drivers have to be written for all hardware components, and that is just not going to happen. I could see something to thwart EFI-X and OSx86, but also a compromise so Apple can still make money on OS X being run on non-Apple hardware.
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André said 5:32PM on 9-22-2008
What about a cheaper, redesigned Mac Mini based on an Intel Dual-Core 330?
1.6Ghz (or preferably faster) capable of running 4 threads and with the new Intel GMA X4500HD to boot.
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d dot said 5:38PM on 9-22-2008
servers....thats the key to beating windows
businesses will adopt with servers
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Shoaf said 6:03PM on 9-22-2008
IF "brick" has something to do with shattering Windows' market share (a very big "if"), then I think this is correct. It would need to be something that would have to make it VERY hard for IT staff to keep justifying the cost of Windows-based product.
The Mac has won the hearts of many consumers, but there's a lot of money to be made in the server rooms and cubicles.
Galley said 5:36PM on 9-22-2008
All I want is an iTunes Server that I can pop four 1TB hard drives into, just like a Drobo.
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mabhatter said 1:19AM on 9-23-2008
Amen, that's what Time Capsule should have been doing to backup all that iTunes store stuff we've been buying.
kieran said 5:42PM on 9-22-2008
If its gonna 'break' windows then it can't be a product like an ipod or iphone. It has to be a product that runs the full Mac OSX as this is the competitor to windows. Maybe it's snow leopard and they've been hiding everything from us. I doubt it though. I think it'll be a macpro style desktop only much less powerful for around $800. This would be a product that could compete with dell machines. Apple doesn't have that. The mac mini isn't a dell style machine competitor. This new product would come with keyboard,mouse and monitor. If you look at their product lineup it's the only real gap.
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Patrick said 5:42PM on 9-22-2008
I agree, I think the brick is a wireless dock/charging station. one of the hardest parts of working soley off of a laptop doing pro work (graphics) is having to replug EVERYTHING in everytime you bring it back to the office, etc. esp. if you have external screen, keyboard, backup, etc.
I would think seriously about the highest end laptop replacing my desktops in the future if I had this option.
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lanejasper69 said 5:43PM on 9-22-2008
OK, how about an OX that will run OS X AND Windows at same time, No, not in Parallels mode or Boot Camp, 100% side by side supporting all hardware etc. without needing to reboot or create virtual pc scenarios, just a thought. Maybe one OS runs off one core's power and vice versa, who knows. Intriguing
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Steve said 5:52PM on 9-22-2008
I know this more than likely isn't it, but what I'd love it to be is OSX for PCs. They could undercut the cost of buying Windows, Microsoft would just die. I know OSX is only as stable as it is because it runs on proprietary hardware, but they could market it as a 'cut-down' version of OSX and that you'd have to buy a Mac to get the full, reliable, OSX experience. I'd happily lay out a wad of cash to be able to run OSX on my existing PC.
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Peter C said 7:47AM on 9-23-2008
I'm almost a hundred percent sure the "Brick" is the redesigned MacBook destined for release in a few weeks.
There wouldn't be enough space for a Windows® breaker in the same month, and the MB is going to be hard to beat.
The expanding market segment is portables and here Apple has a clear lead in the design stakes and the mid to higher end, but I believe there is a magic price-point just a little below the current MB price that would woo the majority of those settling on a lower -priced machine.
If the bottom MB is dropped just a little in price and the design and feature-set made even more compelling, then we would have a Windows®-smasher.
If the rumours are right, the new MB will have a thin, flat but curvaceous, aluminium case, a bright screen - I'm speculating OLED (although not likely, it would be the first in a laptop/computer, which would indeed be cutting edge). I also speculate it will be in three models with Blue-Ray in the top one. With the two lower models especially, VERY competitively priced.
Also a full, multi-touch trackpad with narrow button - or no button (tap only), and a glass surface (although this may be reserved for the new MBP's).
The HD may also very likely be easily accessible, because of the rapid proliferation of SSD's about to hit the market.
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rg said 5:53PM on 9-22-2008
Could be that "brick" refers to nothing in particular too! Look at the other codenames they've used in the past.
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Dominic said 5:54PM on 9-22-2008
OS X for X86 (aka PCs). But Apple give it away for free for 1 year. Get everyone hooked - then make em pay!!
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SuperMac said 5:54PM on 9-22-2008
They can't have windows apps run side by side while using wine or something (without performance problems). You cannot run 2 os'es without a huge performance hit.
It will probably be hardware related. Maybe something that is better than a mini but worse than a mac pro. Probably an iMac in the case of a mac pro with a screen, keyboard, and mouse.
If it is the docking thing, I will feel bad if it is not compatible with older models of apple notebooks. I bought a brand new multitouch MBP back in March. I will be disappointed if there is a huge update and my machine is not compatible.
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SuperMac said 6:03PM on 9-22-2008
Oops. Forgot to mention. It might also be a server product (that would be really nice).
'iLife Home Server'
or 'Mac Home Server'
or 'Apple Home Server'
or maybe 'iBrick Home Server' (that last one was a joke)
It would be nice to have a home server in a brick form.
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mnik said 6:12PM on 9-22-2008
@ anthony -yep, OSX on PC's. Radical move, but I think they're finally up for it.
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SuperMac said 6:13PM on 9-22-2008
I don't think they would do that... It would not be a good move. Nobody would buy apple hardware. Just buy a pc for $200 and mac os x for pc!
Jason Lawrence said 6:15PM on 9-22-2008
It is *NOT* going to be a mag-safe based dock or USB/Firewire/otherport hub.
iPods and HFS based hard drives already throw fits when you accidentally plug them from USB and Firewire ports.
Can you imagine how much File System corruption not to mention coastered CDs, DVDs, and hosed iPods you'd run into and / or cause with such a finicky connection method?
I personally don't see it being a method of installing OS X on PCs either, the support costs it'd cause Apple (not to mention the Operating System stability lost from only supporting a static number of models to now an always growing, always changing list of hardware, revisions, etc.) outweigh the benefits, I believe.
I do however think that it could potentially be an external brick or box that's capable of low level Windows OS emulation -- doing the translation work necessary to run Windows apps on a Mac without a VM install or third party utility such as Crossover.
It could also potentially offload such translation / labor off the system onto its own hardware.
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uhuznaa said 8:23PM on 9-22-2008
A MagSafe connector doesn't need to be finicky. If the MacBook has only two other ports (USB and audio out), the MagSafe connector can be quite large and sophisticated -- with larger magnets and spring-loaded connectors this can work with no more problems than a standard USB- or FireWire-port. The MagSafe trick is actually not so much about safety here, but more about being able to connect and disconnect it quick and easily. The old mechanical docking ports are just a PITA as they require careful line-up and considerable force to get them in and out. The MagSafe connector is one of the real innovations Apple has introduced here and they would be silly to not take this to its full potential.
Besides, there's simply not much else that would make sense. You can bet on the major new product being the new MacBook, with some new design and technology. It has also to be lighter and thinner and will almost surely come without an optical drive (for weight and size reasons). And there will be a low-cost basic model.
Going the same route as with the MBA (external drive, almost no ports) is not possible, since the MacBook is *the* machine for home users and students and these just need full audio support and everything. But they don't need everything on the road or in class, where they need only USB (for an iPhone or whatever) and maybe audio out. Being able to slap a connector on at home and have all things connected then at once (and the battery charging) would make this a great machine for home users and students alike. *And* you can have a cheap basic model which comes just with a simple power adapter (it will still be a fully usable machine, just with only the most basic ports), with the brick as an option to buy for $200 or so. You can even make the naked MacBook real cheap then and the Brick more expensive, since you can rely on most users buying one sooner or later anyway.
I just can't imagine the new MacBook only being a bit thinner and with rounded edges. Apple will try to lead the pack here and the docking brick would be the only way to make a real difference and have the users actually line up for buying one. And nobody cares for a new Mini or an "iTablet". I mean, both would be interesting and some want these really badly, but Apple seems to aim at the mass-market since quite a while now. And a MacBook/Brick could easily become the best-selling notebook of all times.
~DP said 7:07PM on 9-22-2008
how about gaming platform, PS3-like, MacOS based.
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