The rumors have been out for some time now. They started a month ago with reports of something called a “brick,” which everyone thought was a small box, maybe a replacement for the Apple TV. But recently, the general rumor community started to coalesce around the idea that “brick” referred to carving a laptop case out of a brick of metal, describing a new manufacturing process for Apple’s new line of MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

The rumors seemed to solidify when photos were leaked showing images of the purported MacBook cases, indeed carved from a single piece, with no seams.

Just this afternoon, I warned a student not to buy a Mac laptop too soon, as Apple is scheduled to release new ones in the next month or two–reportedly very soon, but potentially as late as January. I speculated that in part due to this new manufacturing process that could save money, and perhaps in part because the recent economic crisis and stock drop, laptops costing significantly less were a good possibility.

Just tonight, the rumor was released that 12 separate Apple laptop models (there are currently 8 models) are to be released soon, with prices ranging from $800 to $3100–significant since the current low price is $1100.

Still, there were doubts, as the rumors all said that the new laptops would be released October 14th, and here it is October 9 and no announcement of an Apple event. Obligingly, Apple released this announcement just an hour or so ago:

Notably: the date and time for the event is October 14th in San Francisco at 10AM PST.

So, the rumors seem true. If so, then by this time next week we’ll be seeing a whole new line of Apple laptops. The question is, what will there be beyond the cases? Just that? A slightly different form factor but otherwise just a speed bump? Unlikely–Apple releases speed bumps casually, not with big events. Could the casing alone be worth an event? Possibly. More likely the price drop will be the prominent focus.

Some rumors, however, tell of an LCD trackpad. From there, your imagination can run wild.

My current laptop is now about three and a half years old One of the oldest pre-Intel laptops. Already time to buy a new one. No matter what the news, I am almost certainly going to buy one. If it has more than just a new case and a low price, that will be a spiffy bonus. The only question will be, which one?