Apple fanboys and fangirls love rumors about forthcoming Apple products. One could almost consider that these rumors are another marketing ploy by Apple since the speculation and discussion gives Apple a ton of free exposure. Right now the focus of these rumors is October 14, 2008. Many are claiming that on that date, along with new MacBooks and/or MacBook Pros, Apple will be releasing another product coded-named "brick."

So what exactly is "brick?" No one really knows, although we have a few guesses that we'll mention shortly, but first let's look at the best of the rumors circulating around the web right now.

We think the best guess so far is the one at macenstein.com. Apple's "brick" target is Microsoft and Windows. After all, what better tool to break Windows than a "brick?" We believe Macenstein may have solved the riddle. The actually "brick" has nothing to do with a device - it's about changes in Apple products that will make them irresistible. What's that you say? For most of us that's already true, but what about the rest of the world?

Well remember Steve Jobs warned investors earlier this year that Apple was going to have some new killer products at very aggressive price points. Prices to low to believe. In fact, Jobs and Oppenheimer stated it would effect Apple's future earnings. Imagine an Apple notebook for under $500? Or iMacs for under $1000? Already aggressive sales of Apple notebooks and iMacs would probably go through the roof.

Another rumor suggests a wireless USB hub which isn't a very exciting idea if you ask us - another wireless USB hub. Yawn. 'nuff said? Of course Apple could come up with something innovative here, but I doubt this is going to be the big announcement. Maybe, just maybe, it will be a "brick" of connectivity. An Airport Extreme, Time Capsule and USB hub all-in-one big fat Apple device that makes "bricks" a beautiful product.

Our other favorite rumor is the complete Mac mini redesign. Most owners of the Mac mini love it. It's an inexpensive way of getting a second computer for a variety of uses, and if you've been paying attention, people have found a lot of uses for the smallest of all things Mac. Personally, I've used mine for testing, and I'm currently using it for my Leopard Server certification exams. The last refresh of the mini in 2007 was a good one, but now people are speculating about an Uber-mini, a tiny version of the Mac Pro. Now wouldn't that give the mini a good boost or what?

We have a few guesses of our own about the new product. Some of them are serious and some of them are outright silly - like a new Mac notebook that's so heavy it puts all the companies making laptop security cables out of business. It's not even luggable like those old transportables with the 5.25" floppy and 5" monochrome screens so no one even considers trying to steal it. Steal-toed shoes recommended.

Now seriously, we tend to agree with the first rumor. "Brick" will be about saving us money. And considering the current financial crisis, we can use all the savings we can get.