MacBook Event in a few wks - all about "the Brick?"

[steamed.hams]

The Brick Riddle


What is 'The Brick?'

Wed, 09/10/2008 - 11:10 — Cleve Nettles

There is nothing I love more than Apple rumors. So, in that respect, I have some great news for everyone. One of our tipsters has a bit of a riddle for us. S/he says that the MacBook update event in a few weeks (you know the one with the glass trackpads) is 'all about the Brick'. What does "The Brick" mean? Can anyone out there help us out? This is one of those tipsters that has a solid track record so we want to go along for the ride. Maybe we can figure out this riddle together?

[Schtumple]

Power brick?

I seem to remember watching the Mac mini keynote and Jobs calling it a brick, also when the power supplys for macbooks and macbook pros were reduced in size I think they were called power bricks.

Maybe they're going to admit that they really are as dangerous as everyone makes out and they will give out free ones to everyone! Even people without macbooks! EVEN people without macs, thus, Apples karma will be slightly better.

Or something along those lines...

[steamed.hams]

Originally Posted by Schtumple

Power brick?

Maybe they're going to admit that they really are as dangerous as everyone makes out and they will give out free ones to everyone! Even people without macbooks! EVEN people without macs, thus, Apples karma will be slightly better.

I hear those bricks make a fantastic paperweight.

Of course, only if you intend to incinerate your papers.

[CWallace]

The AC/DC converters are very small compared to the ones many Wintel PCs use, so it might be possible for Apple to integrate it into the PC itself, though I don't know if you can put 100-240V AC over a Magsafe connector...

[tMac85]

it makes no sense. All about the brick? I think it just some mere post that 9 to 5 wanted for attention.

I would also like to know this persons "very good track record"

then ill start to think.

[steamed.hams]

Originally Posted by tMac85

it makes no sense. All about the brick? I think it just some mere post that 9 to 5 wanted for attention.

I think Daring Fireball's "Oct. 14" post is more brazen if it ends up being false...

[CWallace]

Well I know one issue that might be hurting MacBook (Pro) acceptance in corporate environments is the lack of a port-replicator / docking station. I have seven cables hanging off of mine (Power, DVI, FW800, Audio, RJ45, 2xUSB) so it's a bit of a pain to eject my attached FW800 drives (which I can't with TimeMachine running) and unplug everything. And I keep my MBP underneath by LCD so it's a pain to reconnect, as well.

So maybe we'll see something like the Duo Dock / Mini Dock / Micro Dock.

[andrewdale]

Originally Posted by tMac85

I would also like to know this persons "very good track record"

then ill start to think.

Agreed. If they've had quite a few GOOD and ACCURATE predictions about major releases, then maybe I'll pat attention.

[iMacmatician]

Originally Posted by tMac85

it makes no sense. All about the brick? I think it just some mere post that 9 to 5 wanted for attention.

Maybe we need to think outside the box.

9 to 5 mac posted about rainbow-colored iPod nanos in July. When the current iPod nano was released, the individual iPod nanos weren't multi-colored, but when placed together, they made a rainbow.

So a possibility is that the "brick" means something other than a brick.

[tMac85]

Originally Posted by iMacmatician

Maybe we need to think outside the box.

9 to 5 mac posted about rainbow-colored iPod nanos in July. When the current iPod nano was released, the individual iPod nanos weren't multi-colored, but when placed together, they made a rainbow.

So a possibility is that the "brick" means something other than a brick.

personally referring to a 'brick' never means a good thing. It usually means something is dead. And no one wants a dead computer! haha.

im thinkin outside the box but having a hard time coming up with anything.

really all i can think of is maybe its about the macmini. iBrick? stable, supportive, and stacks up better than the rest...haha

[steamed.hams]

Originally Posted by CWallace

The AC/DC converters are very small compared to the ones many Wintel PCs use, so it might be possible for Apple to integrate it into the PC itself

That'd be a great update.

[steamed.hams]

Originally Posted by iMacmatician

Maybe we need to think outside the box.

9 to 5 mac posted about rainbow-colored iPod nanos in July. When the current iPod nano was released, the individual iPod nanos weren't multi-colored, but when placed together, they made a rainbow.

So a possibility is that the "brick" means something other than a brick.

Interesting....

I'm stumped

[Eric.]

Originally Posted by steamed.hams

That'd be a great update.

Until you look at the innards of a Macbook/Pro and see that there is no good place for one. The Magsafe will be an issue too, since the power cable will really be an extension cable still carrying full current from the power outlet.


I think there is zero chance of this being the case.

[Macinposh]

Originally Posted by iMacmatician

Maybe we need to think outside the box.

So a possibility is that the "brick" means something other than a brick.

Hmm...maybe...

Something conceptual : service X of a new kind provided by apple ,maybe some hardware support to go with that. security,encrypted data on apples iDisk..


Or my 1$ would go on a mini-pc kind creation to compete with asus and the kind.
9", 8/16Gb coloured cuties to go.
A real Wanna! for the teenies, a first mac for the families and general qutie to go for the ladies. Price 399/499$.

Just like the first "free one" from the dealer...

[CWallace]

Originally Posted by iMacmatician

9 to 5 mac posted about rainbow-colored iPod nanos in July. When the current iPod nano was released, the individual iPod nanos weren't multi-colored, but when placed together, they made a rainbow.

They also nailed not only the 3rd generation Nano form factor before anyone else, but also confirmed that it would be in different colors and what those colors would be.

[steamed.hams]

Originally Posted by CWallace

They also nailed not only the 3rd generation Nano form factor before anyone else, but also confirmed that it would be in different colors and what those colors would be.

Awesome. I'm getting excited.

[MusicallySilent]

Originally Posted by CWallace

The AC/DC converters are very small compared to the ones many Wintel PCs use, so it might be possible for Apple to integrate it into the PC itself, though I don't know if you can put 100-240V AC over a Magsafe connector...

Problems I see with that

1. Size, they are still pretty big, that would likely reduce the potential for thinness

2. Heat, those bricks become extremely hot, and the laptops become extremely hot, I dont think we want 2 super hot things together

3 Safety, 100v easily accessible isnt a great idea, sure someone can always shock themselves with a fork, but what if the magsafe pops out and they accidentally short the pins. Something like the tesla roadster would need incorperation, where there is a very small chip on the charger, and that communicates with mbp before beginning to transmit power.

I would like to see a thinner and slightly longer power brick instead, and have it run on 12 volts not the 15-16 or so it currently runs on, or allow it to run anywhere from 12-15 volts, that way you could still use it off 12volt DC from your car, and 15v empower from your plane

[Sean.Perrin]

Many bricks are assembled to make a greater structure. Perhaps the new macs are the building blocks of a new era for apple?

This could imply that the ENTIRE Apple (or at least notebook) line will be refreshed at the event, as they are the main building blocks (bricks) of Apple.

Just a thought.

I would doubt that the "power brick" would be placed inside the computer. Companies don't spend countless RD dollars making products thinner and lighter to make them thicker and heavier again.

Other than these ideas... I'm stumped.

[Beric]

Or maybe, to use an English (England) expression, "You're a brick!"

Hmmm... kinda hard to tie that one in.

[n8236]

Apple has always been about wireless peripherals. I would adventure to guess it has regards to powering a laptop with a wireless ac adapter.

[Beric]

Originally Posted by n8236

Apple has always been about wireless peripherals. I would adventure to guess it has regards to powering a laptop with a wireless ac adapter.

Actually, I read an article recently about wireless charging. Apparently it's going to happen. Probably not in the too-distant-future, but it's out there, and works well.

[Cubixcore]

iPhone bricks!

They're unlocking it...

I wish

[andrewdale]

Originally Posted by Cubixcore

iPhone bricks!

They're unlocking it...

I wish

I swear, if it's iPhone related I'm going to go on some type of rampage.

[Abstract]

Originally Posted by iMacmatician

9 to 5 mac posted about rainbow-colored iPod nanos in July. When the current iPod nano was released, the individual iPod nanos weren't multi-colored, but when placed together, they made a rainbow.

So a possibility is that the "brick" means something other than a brick.

Ah, so we're talking about slices, and then when you place them together, you get....

Originally Posted by CWallace

The AC/DC converters are very small compared to the ones many Wintel PCs use, so it might be possible for Apple to integrate it into the PC itself....

Have you ever felt your AC adapter when your laptop is being charged? No thanks. Apple is probably capable of putting it inside your laptop, but they're in the business of design, and putting parts together to form a product. They're not the type of company that is capable of completely revolutionizing voltage transformers, and there's really no way for them to make them run cooler. If they could have done it, their AC adapters would be even smaller than they are now.

And my friend's AC adapter for his MBP just melted. In fact, Apple admits that AC adapters for MBPs and MacBooks burn and fray. Keep those "bricks" out of my laptop.

[MowingDevil]

Originally Posted by Beric

Actually, I read an article recently about wireless charging. Apparently it's going to happen. Probably not in the too-distant-future, but it's out there, and works well.

Is anyone doing any serious research into the health risks of all this wireless technology?

From radiowaves to microwaves, transmission line towers to cel phones, internet, bluetooth this & that, wi-fi everywhere, thousands of satelite channels...and now wireless power?
All this whizzing around your head, into your body, around your rooms...I don't have any solid evidence on the matter...but can this really be good for us when its all said & done?

Could wireless AC ever be a fire risk? Maybe its safer for all I know. I don't understand how it works exactly but that electricity has to get from A to B somehow.

There's something to be said about a good ol' cable.