What was previously speculated as a new Mac mini, is now rumored to be a portable device

Sep 26, 2008 14:00 GMT  ·  By

Just this week, it was reported that one of Apple's rumored October surprises was a new Mac mini. While speculation about a product code-named “The Brick” has been around for quite some time, the dubbing has been shifted from the Mac mini, to a Mac tablet / MacBook touch.

TUAW cites its own sources, which have provided the publication with some “unconfirmed” details on a new product from Apple. The site also claims that several of its commenters are seemingly on the right track in what regards some of the details of Apple's new Mac tablet.

“Imagine a portable Mac reduced to the form factor of a modest tablet (the size of a Newton),” reads the post, “with a solid-state drive, multitouch display, and wired/wireless docking capabilities to convert to a full workstation wherever you choose to park yourself. This is the suggested 'Brick' product, allowing you to "carry everything with you" without the burden of a full laptop,” the description reads on.

Strangely enough, the same sources are cited as saying that the MacBook Air “was in some respects a technology greenhouse for the engineering chops needed to build the next-gen portable.” This goes beyond what we generally refer to as speculation and, while some would expect Apple to be this secretive, we can only take this last statement with a huge lump of salt.

The concept product is also on track to receive Multi-Touch displays, which would spawn some “spectacular new interface concepts.” The trackpad and keyboard are not to be left behind, says the report.

The question is posed as to not whether this product is possible, in terms of hardware specs, but as to whether it would actually sell. Knowing that Apple does everything in its power to combine all of the technologies at hand, it doesn't seem all that far-fetched. Nevertheless, it is you, the readers, who have to give the verdict on this one.