MacBook Neo: This is what you DON’T get.
Positive, the MacBook Neo looks like a steal at simply $599. And perhaps it’s! However Apple did have to chop some corners to get at that value.
iOS 26.3.1, macOS 26.3.1 launched
Apple has launched model 26.3.1 of its working programs. In case you’re planning on investing in a Studio Show, you’ll want to put in this replace, in accordance with the discharge notes. It additionally contains safety patches and bug fixes.
Apple
Studio Show compatibility
Apple introduced the brand new Studio Show and Studio Show XDR on Monday, and maybe you seen the compatibility checklist for the shows. We bought slightly extra clarification about this.
On the macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 requirement: The Studio Show and Studio Show XDR have deep integration with macOS, thus the model requirement.
On the shortage of Intel compatibility: The shows require GPUs that may assist the Show Stream Compression (DSC) and pixel charges required.
Macs that don’t meet the necessities could “mild” the shows and run with lowered capabilities.
Make amends for the announcement of the Studio Show and the Studio Show XDR.
Michael Simon/Foundry
Two Neo restrict
There appears to be a restrict as to what number of MacBook Neos you should buy. Proper now, clients are restricted to 2 Neos. It’s not clear if this limitation will ultimately be lifted.
Foundry
Additionally, Macworld’s Michael Simon, who’s on the occasion in New York Metropolis, had a turkey and avocado sandwich for lunch. “It was good,” Simon studies.
Audio high quality: Surprisingly good
Again to the MacBook Neo, and our preliminary verdict on these uncommon side-firing audio system (of which there are solely two, in comparison with 4 on the MacBook Air and 6 on the MacBook Professional) is that they sound higher than you may count on.
“The audio system sound surprisingly first rate,” studies Michael Simon. “It’s onerous to evaluate bass within the room I’m in, however i might really feel the vibration within the chassis.”
In case you’re questioning about methodology, Michael notes that the check was based mostly on a Justin Bieber track.
Summarising the brand new MacBook Air and Professional
In case you missed yesterday’s bulletins, right here’s Jason Cross summarising the brand new M5 MacBook Air and Professional fashions (and the brand new Studio Shows, for that matter) in simply digestible video type.
Okay, so what’s mistaken with it?
When the corporate is charging simply $599 it might be ridiculous to count on the MacBook Neo to be excellent. In fact there are compromises within the design, function checklist, and specs checklist.
So let’s summarise all of the methods wherein Apple has lower corners to get that value down.
- Processor: The Neo comes with a cellphone processor, the A18 Professional, with 6 CPU cores and 5 GPU cores. The Air and Professional include the M5 processor and as much as 10 cores for each CPU and GPU.
- RAM: Simply 8GB, with no choice to extend this. The MacBooks Air and Professional each include 16GB/24GB/32GB.
- Storage: Both 256GB or 512GB. The Air goes from 512GB as much as 4TB, and the Professional from 1TB to 4TB.
- Show: At 13.0 inches, the Neo’s display is smaller than that of the smaller Air (13.6 inches) and smaller Professional (14.2 inches). It additionally doesn’t get True Tone, and is sRGB versus P3.
- Digicam: You simply get a 1080p digicam, in comparison with the 12MP mannequin on the opposite MacBooks. And there’s no Middle Stage.
- Audio: There are solely two audio system. The Air will get 4, and the Professional six. And there are solely two mics, whereas the opposite MacBooks get three every. Lastly, the Neo doesn’t assist high-impedance headphones.
- Keyboard: Not backlit.
- Trackpad: Multi-Contact, not Drive Contact.
- Ports: Two USB-C ports. One helps USB 3, whereas the opposite is restricted to USB 2 speeds. There’s no MagSafe so you need to quit a USB port for charging.
- Contact ID: Provided that you pay for the additional storage.
- Battery: Estimated battery life (as much as 16 hours of video streaming) is decrease than on the Air (18 hours) and Professional (24 hours). It is because the Neo solely will get a 36.5Wh battery, in comparison with the 53.8Wh and 72.4Wh batteries on the smaller Air and Professional.
- Charging: Solely comes with a 20W charger. The Air will get 40W and the Professional 70W. The Neo isn’t able to fast-charging.
Apple’s gonna promote a ton of those
Michael Simon has been spending time getting hands-on with the MacBook Neo, and the most important factor that’s struck him is how premium the system feels. There’s nothing about it, he says, that feels prefer it ought to value something lower than $1,000.
There isn’t a spoon
When the Neo’s identify leaked yesterday, it sounded slightly like a joke. Would Keanu Reeves be within the viewers right this moment, we questioned. Would Apple’s goal market of younger clients even bear in mind The Matrix?
Effectively, we’re not laughing now. Apple presumably desires the identify to face just for newness, however the Matrix reference stands up surprisingly nicely, as a result of the brand new price range MacBook makes probably the most jaded of tech cynics rethink what’s actual and what’s imaginary. As Michael Simon explains, it confirmed him all the things he is aware of is a lie.
Exterior monitor assist
The Neo’s show is considerably on the small aspect, however you possibly can at all times join an exterior monitor utilizing one of many USB-C ports. (It has one USB-C 3 and one USB-C 2.)
Apple is eager to advertise this idea, and on the occasion the corporate arrange the Neo with the brand new Studio Show…
Michael Simon / Foundry
…and the brand new Studio Show XDR! That’ll be $599 for the Neo and $3,299 for the show, please.
Michael Simon / Foundry
The Neo’s thriller “slots”
A lot debate within the Macworld workplace concerning the mysterious slots on both aspect of the MacBook Neo’s chassis, one in all which sits subsequent to the headphone jack. At first look we thought we may be taking a look at an SDXC card slot, however on nearer inspection you possibly can see the mesh that provides the sport away. They’re audio system.
Michael Simon / Foundry
It’s an uncommon design; the MacBook Air and Professional don’t have something comparable. The Professional’s audio system face upwards both aspect of the keyboard, whereas the Air has speaker grilles within the hinge.
A MacBook for $599? Whoa
Priced at $599/£599, the MacBook Neo is the lowest-priced laptop computer Apple presents, by a long way. It’s an incredible $500/£500 decrease than the MacBook Air, following that system’s (debatable) value rise yesterday.
Roman Loyola has all of the key details and figures from Apple’s gorgeous MacBook Neo launch.
Are you able to handle with much less battery life?
It’s to be anticipated that the MacBook Neo, beginning at simply $599, could have quite a few limitations in comparison with the MacBooks Air and Professional. However right here’s one which may damage, provided that it’s being bought as a useful companion for college kids on the go: it has considerably much less battery life.
Apple estimates the Neo’s battery life as as much as 11 hours of wi-fi net searching, or 16 hours of video streaming. These numbers evaluate to fifteen and 18 hours respectively for the 13-inch MacBook Air, and 16 and 24 for the smaller MacBook Professional.
Simply 8GB of RAM
The spec sheet lists 8GB of RAM within the MacBook Neo, however doesn’t provide any extra element than that. You may’t configure issues like RAM and the processor when buying; the Neo solely has two configs, as talked about beneath.
For comparability, the M5 MacBook Air introduced yesterday comes with a baseline 16GB of RAM, and might be configured as much as 24GB or 32GB.
Pricing in depth
We’ve talked about that the MacBook Neo begins at $599. However we will now give slightly extra element than that.
The worth you pay is partly depending on how a lot storage you need. However in an attention-grabbing twist, the dearer configuration additionally beneficial properties entry to Contact ID.
- MacBook Neo (256GB, Magic Keyboard): $599
- MacBook Neo (512GB, Magic Keyboard with Contact ID): $699
In case you’re questioning why Apple would provide solely two configurations (or SKUs), keep in mind that this type of simplicity could make a tool cheaper to fabricate at scale.
Pre-orders are open now, by the best way.
Enjoyable with fonts
Returning to that odd font. Right here’s how Apple renders the identify of the MacBook Neo on its web site. It’s a chunkier, softer, thicker typography than we’re used to seeing from Apple. What do you assume?
(A font professional advised us that it seems to be a rounded model of Apple’s commonplace San Francisco typeface, however stretched, and that is supported by underlying code on the web site.)
Apple
Port scenario replace
This can be vital. The MacBook Neo has no ports on the best aspect. None. Zero.
The place are our vibrant colours?
There was a idea, forward of the announcement, that the brand new MacBook would get colour finishes to match the yellow, inexperienced, and blue within the invitation art work (see above). Evidently, we didn’t get any of them.
The Citrus is yellow, however doesn’t look any factor just like the art work when considered in actual life (though it seems extra vibrant in Apple’s product artwork, beneath). There’s no inexperienced choice, and indigo is, nicely, indigo–roughly midway between blue and purple.
Apple
A better look
Let’s look extra carefully at a MacBook Neo within the new Citrus colour end. It’s rather a lot subtler than that identify would counsel.
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
First impressions within the hand
The Neo seems like a smaller, barely thicker MacBook Air. Its Magic Keyboard and trackpad are nice. Tremendous mild and seems like a $999 MacBook.
A superb first impression.
MacBook Neo in photos
First reactions? It seems good: basic and fairly enjoyable on the similar time. The colours aren’t tremendous vibrant, however they replicate the sunshine very nicely and the matching keys are refined and really feel excessive finish. Citrus is a daring selection, even when it isn’t tremendous vibrant. Blush seems like one other Apple pink that isn’t very pink.
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
It is truly low-cost!
Apple is enjoying up the continuity options: Handoff and so forth. It’s clearly nonetheless eager for us to purchase different Apple merchandise to go along with the Neo.
And the branding is written in a extremely bizarre font within the advertising and marketing. We’ll get a shot of that as quickly as we will.
Ah, right here’s the value. It begins at $599! That’s a very good $100 decrease than the underside finish of what we anticipated, and doesn’t sound like a nasty deal in any respect.
MacBook Neo confirmed!
It wasn’t misinformation in any case. The leak was correct; Apple is launching a brand new laptop computer product known as the MacBook Neo. It’s completely new from the bottom up. Some particulars:
- 13-inch show
- No notch
- White keyboard
- Mannequin with Contact ID (not commonplace)
- 2 USB-C plus headphone jack
- 1080p digicam
- Facet-firing audio system with Spatial Audio
- 4 colours: silver, indigo, blush, citrus
- A18 Professional
- Keys match the colour
- 16-hour battery
The presentation begins!
Trudy from the Apple product workforce is main the presentation. And right here’s John Ternus, Apple’s chip boss.
We’re not completed but, he says. Practically half of Mac consumers are nonetheless new to the platform. Life is simply higher once you’re utilizing a Mac (some Home windows followers may disagree with that!). And he’s able to announce…
Michael Simon / Foundry
Musical selections
They’re enjoying Aperture by Harry Types to begin us off. Learn into that what you’ll.
Michael Simon / Foundry
It is virtually time!
We’ve moved by to the principle presentation space, which has a video display. No Keanu Reeves as but; the one superstar we’ve noticed to date is Marques Brownlee.
Extra pictures:
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Time for some breakfast?
Michael Simon is gathered with different journalists and influencers within the foyer of the Terminal Warehouse constructing in Chelsea, NY, ready to enter one other area. There’s a variety of sunshine breakfast gadgets, water, iced espresso, and juice drinks.
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Apple’s particular expertise in photos
With lower than half an hour to go, Macworld’s Michael Simon is at Apple’s particular expertise in New York. Wish to see what it seems like?
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
What the hell is a brilliant core?
Yesterday’s M5 Professional and M5 Max bulletins got here with some new buzzwords, and Jason Cross is all types of triggered with Apple’s newest branding stunt.
At this time’s timings
When can we count on to listen to about right this moment’s new merchandise? It could possibly be very quickly certainly.
For the previous two days Apple has dropped press releases at 9am ET / 6am PT (which interprets to 2pm GMT). That’s simply over an hour from now.
The slight complicating issue is that right this moment, not like on Monday and Tuesday, there’s an precise in-person occasion… sorry, “expertise.” That takes place at precisely the identical time we count on the press releases: 9am ET / 6am PT / 2pm GMT. Apple will most likely announce the information to the on-site journalists and the world on the similar time, earlier than the fortunate contributors (together with Macworld representatives) transfer on to hands-on periods with the brand new merchandise. Count on loads of information, pictures, and professional evaluation from our reporters within the area.
The opposite time to set an alarm for is 9.15am ET / 6.15am PT / 2.15pm GMT. That’s when pre-orders for all of this week’s new Apple merchandise will kick off.
Welcome to day 3!
Welcome and good morning to our U.S. and Canadian readers! It’s day three of Apple’s week of product bulletins and we’re hoping for one thing fairly particular right this moment. The sensible cash is on the MacBook Neo, and there’s an outdoor likelihood we’ll see an A19 refresh of the baseline iPad.
A value lower, or a value rise?
Apple’s choice to extend the MacBook Air’s beginning storage, which we realized about yesterday, goes to be divisive. Not as a result of having extra storage is a nasty factor–clearly it’s not–however as a result of it means the beginning value has gone up too.
It could possibly be argued that this was technically a value lower, as a result of the 512GB SSD choice now prices $100 lower than earlier than. However in actual phrases it felt like a value rise, as a result of the 256GB choice isn’t out there any extra; as a substitute of beginning at $999, the MacBook Air begins at $1,099.
Over on TechRadar, Lance Ulanoff argues that the change is just not merely optimistic however “great information,” reasoning that 512GB is now the naked minimal he wants. Some will agree, however I believe that the Air has many admirers who don’t want a lot storage in any respect, or rely upon the cloud.
For many who missed it, take a look at Roman Loyola’s detailed clarification of the brand new pricing.
M4 iPad Air efficiency benchmarks
The iPad Air which Apple introduced on Monday comes with an M4 processor. However don’t make the error of pondering it’ll carry out the identical as final yr’s M4 iPad Professional. As Apple acknowledges on its comparability web page, the Professional mannequin will get an additional GPU core and as much as two extra CPU cores.
Apple
How it will have an effect on efficiency has change into clearer with the emergence of Geekbench scores for the brand new iPad Air. Noticed by MacRumors, the numbers present the Air M4 performing virtually identically to the iPad Professional M4 within the single-core check (3,714 vs 3,691) however noticeably worse within the multi-core phase (12,296 vs 13,663). This shouldn’t be noticeable in real-world use, however offers an thought of the margins between merchandise that appear at first look to have the identical tech specs.
Expectations for right this moment
As a fast recap, we’ve already heard about six new Apple merchandise this week:
- iPhone 17e
- M4 iPad Air
- M5 MacBook Air
- M5 Professional/Max MacBook Professional
- Studio Show
- Studio Show XDR
At this time is prone to be the final day of bulletins in the interim, culminating within the “particular experiences” (learn: hands-on periods with all the brand new package) in New York, London, and Shanghai at 9am ET. So what has Apple bought in retailer for us?
The apparent product to complete on is the price range MacBook, which Apple appeared to leak by chance with a regulatory submitting yesterday. Primarily based on that gaffe it seems like this system will known as the MacBook Neo.
It’s additionally potential we’ll get the anticipated replace to the baseline iPad, doubtless that includes an A19 processor. However the logical time to disclose that product was on Monday, alongside the brand new iPad Air. Maybe Apple has determined to carry again the A19 iPad till later within the yr.
Good morning!
Welcome to our European readers (plus any insomniacs within the U.S.) as we head into day three of Apple’s large week of product bulletins. It’s simply coming as much as 9am right here in London, and we’ll be with you all through the day and throughout the timezones, bringing you all of the information because it occurs.
PSA: Preorders start tomorrow morning
In case you’re itching to purchase one of many merchandise Apple launched this week—the iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Air, M5 Professional/Max MacBook Professional, or Studio Show—preorders start at 9:15 am ET on Wednesday. It’s an odd time, however I assume it’s associated to the “Expertise” occasion that kicks off at 9 am. We additionally count on not less than another product to be out there for preorder: the brand new low-cost MacBook.
Yet another sleepless evening!
There’s someday left till Apple’s “Expertise” occasion in New York, London, and Shanghai. We count on to get our first take a look at Apple’s low-cost MacBook (probably named Neo). We’ll be on website in New York to doc the entire occasion so bookmark us and are available again tomorrow at 9am!
Studio Shows lower off Intel Macs
Apple’s new Studio Shows draw a line within the sand between Intel and Apple silicon as soon as and for all. So if you would like one, you’ll want not less than an M1 Mac. And if you wish to use ProMotion on the XDR show, you’ll want not less than a Mac with an M4 or M2 Professional/Max chip. It received’t be lengthy now till the Intel period is totally previously.
Try this retro reference within the M5 MacBook Professional advert
Apple has launched an advert for its new M5 Professional and Max MacBook Professionals, and for those who take a look at the left aspect of the display on the 1:25 minute mark, you’ll see an authentic Bondi Blue iMac. The remainder of the advert is fairly good too.
OS 26.3.1 replace coming quickly
As anticipated, Apple will launch an iOS/iPadOS/macOS 23.3.1 replace to assist the entire new merchandise launched this week. Apple’s Studio Show tech specs web page lists macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 and iPadOS 26.3.1 as a requirement for operating the brand new shows. The replace will most likely arrive early subsequent week, forward of the brand new merchandise arriving on March 11.
Extra particulars concerning the MacBook Neo
Macrumors has dug into the leaked regulatory submitting to get some extra particulars concerning the new low-cost MacBook Neo. In line with the submitting, it should have two USB-C ports, MagSafe for charging, and Wi-Fi 7, although the location claims it is not going to have the N1 chip within the iPhone, iPad Air, MacBook Air, and MacBook Professional. That’s odd.
Nonetheless ready for the iPad
Apple has already unveiled six new merchandise this week:
- iPhone 17e
- M4 iPad Air
- M5 MacBook Air
- M5 Professional/Max MacBook Professional
- Studio Show
- Studio Show XDR
We absolutely count on tomorrow to deliver a budget MacBook, however what concerning the iPad? Is Apple holding it again for tomorrow for some cause associated to the MacBook? 🤔
The place are you, iPad?
Foundry
The ‘low-cost’ MacBook comes into focus
Apple shuffled its total MacBook pricing construction for 2 causes: to assist offset the rising value of RAM and to make room for what we now assume will likely be known as MacBook Neo. Right here’s what the brand new technique means for a budget MacBook coming tomorrow.
New MacBook pricing is difficult
Apple has elevated costs throughout the board for the brand new M5 MacBooks, nevertheless it additionally lowered them? Wait, what? Yeah it’s complicated–we clarify all of it right here.
The M5 MacBook caught with Wi-Fi 6E
Whereas Apple has introduced Wi-Fi 7 to the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Professional, iPhone 17 Professional Max, iPhone Air, M5 iPad Professional, M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Air, and M5 Professional/Mac MacBook Professional, the M5 MacBook Professional nonetheless has Wi-Fi 6E due to its use of an older Broadcom wi-fi chip. It additionally misses out on Bluetooth 6 and Thread assist. Bummer.
Apple’s new Professional monitor does not have a horrible value
Alongside a easy replace to the Studio Show that brings a greater digicam and Thunderbolt 5, Apple has unveiled a brand new Studio Show XDR show for professionals that’s considerably cheaper than earlier than—and comes with a stand!
MacBook ‘Neo’ incoming?
As noticed by Macrumors, Apple has filed a regulatory doc with the EU for a laptop computer with the identify MacBook Neo. Might Apple be introducing a model new laptop computer line tomorrow, impressed by Keanu Reeves’ ‘Matrix’ character?
The MacBook Professional was well worth the wait
Appe’s new high-end chips are an enormous leap over the M4 fashions, providing larger customization, larger beginning storage, and a strong new structure constructed for professional customers. Learn all about them earlier than you possibly can preorder them tomorrow.
A completely loaded MacBook Professional is definitely slightly cheaper
In case you’re trying to get probably the most MacBook potential—16-inch M5 Max MacBook Professional with a 40-core GPU, 128GB of RAM, 8TB of storage, and a nano-texture show, it’ll run you $7,349. That’s truly rather less than the identical M4, which value $7,549 beforehand. A cut price!
Apple introduces new Fusion Structure for M5 chip
The M5 Professional and M5 Max MacBook Professional chips deliver a brand new Fusion Structure that Apple describes as a design that “combines two dies right into a single system on a chip (SoC), which features a highly effective CPU, scalable GPU, Media Engine, unified reminiscence controller, Neural Engine, and Thunderbolt 5 capabilities.” As well as, they comprise the “world’s quickest CPU core” and “considerably enhance efficiency by as much as 30 % for professional workloads.”
M5 MacBook Professionals now begin at 1TB
Apple eradicated the 512GB variations of the M5 MacBook Professional right this moment, elevating the beginning storage to 1TB and costs by $100-$200 throughout the board. So that you’re paying slightly extra however getting much more storage. For instance, the 14-inch M4 Professional MacBook Professional now begins at $2,199 ($200 larger than earlier than) however you get 1TB of storage as a substitute of 512GB (which value $2,399 earlier than).
The M5 MacBook Air prices $100 extra
Apple’s new MacBook Air has an M5 chip, N1 wi-fi chip with Wi-Fi 7, and double the beginning storage (512GB) with quicker SSD know-how, nevertheless it begins at $1,099 now. That’s $100 greater than the M4 with 256GB of storage however $100 lower than the M4 with 512GB of storage. So… yay?
$3,299 Studio Show XDR replaces $4,999 Professional Show
Apple unveiled two new 27-inch shows right this moment, a brand new Studio Show for $1,599 that brings a 12MP Middle Stage digicam and Thunderbolt 5 ports, and a model new Studio Show XDR, with a sophisticated mini-LED backlight with 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness, and 120Hz ProMotion for $3,299. It replaces the 32-inch Professional Show XDR.
Apple
New Macs are right here!
Apple has unveiled the M5 MacBook Air, and M5 Professional/M5 Max MacBook Professional, together with a new Studio Show and Professional Show XDR. Full protection to comply with so keep tuned!
25 minutes to go!
Apple launched the iPad Air and iPhone 17e at 9am ET yesterday, and we’re anticipating thenew issues to launch on the similar time right this moment, so prepare for one thing new in simply half an hour. M5 MacBook Air? M5 Professional and M5 Mac chips? iPad with Apple Intelligence? Keep tuned!
Coloration me disillusioned
The iPhone 17e has quite a few limitations, together with slower MagSafe charging speeds and a binned A19 processor. However the greatest disappointment for some analysts is the weakest pink within the historical past of tech. Check out Mushy Pink:
Apple
Extra bulletins on the best way!
Hey everybody, it’s Tuesday, and we’re anticipating Apple to announce its second spherical of recent merchandise at 9am ET, about two hours from now. New MacBooks will doubtless make an look right this moment, together with the entry-level iPad. Prepare!
The brand new iPad Air is not actually new
The brand new iPad Air web site seemed acquainted, so I went to the Web Archive to take a look at the M3 website, and certain sufficient, little or no has modified. If Apple doesn’t care sufficient to replace its web site, why ought to we care about shopping for one?
Apple adjusts trade-in values
In case you’re planning to improve your iPhone, iPad, or Mac this week with one of many new fashions, you’re going to get rather less on your trade-in by Apple. Most are just some {dollars}, however you’ll get about $150 much less for those who’re buying and selling in a 16-inch MacBook Professional. You may take a look at the value on your particular mannequin on Apple’s Commerce In web page.
Watch us break down the brand new merchandise
Earlier than we head off for the evening, take a look at our roundup video of the M4 iPad Air and iPhone 17e. And we’ll see you all within the morning for spherical 2!
iPhone 17e video exhibits off new options
Apple has posted a minute-long iPhone 17e video that takes a unique strategy than its standard promoting. It encompasses a voiceover operating by the brand new options in a extremely edited, scatterhot vogue. Watch it beneath:
OS 26.4 beta intrigue
This could possibly be only a quirk unrelated to this week’s bulletins, however Apple launched the third OS 26.4 beta updates to builders right this moment for iOS, iPad OS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS—all the things however macOS. Might that sign that new Macs are on the best way on Tuesday, and Apple continues to be engaged on it? We’ll have to attend till tomorrow to see.
New iPhone case and strap colours!
Together with the iPhone 17e, Apple has introduced a brand new set of colours for its equipment. The iPhone 17, 17 Professional, and 17 Professional Max silicone instances now are available Brilliant Guava (pink) and Vanilla (off-white), whereas the iPhone 17 silicone case will get an Electrical Lavender (purple) colour as nicely. The iPhone 17e silicone instances additionally are available Brilliant Guava and Vanilla, together with a brand new Mushy Pink choice to match the brand new cellphone. The identical colour choices lengthen to Apple Watch bands and Crossbody straps.
Apple
Deal: M3 iPad Air for $150 off
In case you’re looking for a brand new iPad Air, you possibly can save $150 on the 5G model of the 11-inch M3 mannequin proper now. That’s principally getting all-over wi-fi connectivity free of charge, and also you’re not lacking out on a lot in comparison with the brand new mannequin. We don’t count on this deal to final very lengthy (non-5G variants are already bought out), so go seize it if you would like one.
iPhone 17e: It is not thrilling nevertheless it’s nonetheless a very good deal
The iPhone 17e might not be an enormous improve over final yr’s 16e, however for many customers it nonetheless delivers a very good expertise and worth at a value that’s 25% lower than the iPhone 17.
Heaps extra deliberate for this week
Apple introduced the brand new iPad Air and iPhone 17e this morning, however that’s simply the beginning of a really busy week. Nonetheless to return:
Plus, we might get a brand new model of iOS 26.3 to assist the brand new merchandise. We’ll have tons extra protection by right this moment and the remainder of this week, so maintain this web page open in your browser!
iPad Air: Heigh‐Ho, ho-hum
There’s not a lot to say concerning the new iPad Air, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an ideal pill at an ideal value.
iPhone 17e: Extra MagSafe disappointment
David Worth digs into the iPhone 17e announcement to separate the nice (MagSafe, storage pricing) from the dangerous (MagSafe speeds, binned A19 chip).
Apple
The place’s the iPad?
Apple up to date the iPad Air right this moment however didn’t launch a brand new base-level iPad, which can be anticipated to get a chip refresh this week. It looks like the 2 fashions go hand-in-hand, so perhaps Apple has one thing larger for the entry-level mannequin?
Even Apple cannot discover something new concerning the iPad Air
Apple’s tagline for the iPad Air is, “Now supercharged by M4,” which is similar as earlier than, when it was “Now supercharged by M3.”
Odd preorder time
The brand new iPad Air and iPhone 17e will likely be out there for preorder starting Wednesday, March 4 at 9:15am ET. That differs from the standard timing, which is historically on a Friday at 8am ET, however could possibly be to coincide with Apple’s “Expertise” occasion, which begins a 9am ET on March 4.
iPhone 17e tidbits
A number of issues I’ve seen concerning the iPhone 17e:
- It has a 4-core GPU in comparison with the iPhone 17’s 5 cores
- It’s bought a Ceramic Protect 2 entrance with 3x higher scratch resistance
- Identical 26-hour battery life
- It has slower 15W MagSafe charging
- It doesn’t have the N1 chip
No new colours for the iPad Air
Apple’s iPad Air is accessible in the identical 4 colours because the earlier two fashions: blue, purple, starlight, and area grey. Sorry, iPad Air followers.
That’s an image of the M3 iPad Air, however you’d by no means know.
Apple
iPhone 17e is right here too!
Apple’s new entry-level iPhone has the C1X modem, A19 processor, MagSafe, and double the beginning storage (256GB). It additionally now is available in a brand new mushy pink colour along with black and white. However it nonetheless has a notch. It begins on the similar value, $599.
Apple
The M4 iPad Air has arrived!
Apple has introduced the brand new iPad Air with an M4 chip, N1 and C1X modem for 5G and WiFi 7, and 12GB of RAM for a similar $599 and $799 beginning costs.
half-hour away!
The primary spherical of recent merchandise ought to arrive on the prime of the hour on Apple.com and the Apple Newsroom. iPhone 17e? iPad Air? MacBooks!? We’ll know quickly.
First merchandise anticipated at 9 am ET
Primarily based on earlier bulletins, we count on Apple to unveil the primary of its new merchandise on Apple.com at 9 am ET (6 am PT/2 pm GMT). So keep tuned!
A MacBook beneath $599?
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman studies that Apple believes its new MacBook is “unbelievable worth” and that it’s going to “drive a critical variety of switchers from Home windows machines and Chromebooks.” This might simply be Apple’s personal hype machine at full tilt, nevertheless it might additionally sign that the brand new MacBook will likely be cheaper than we expect. Might $499 be potential?
Apple Shops prepared for large crowds
In line with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple expects a “main rush” of shoppers at its shops following this week’s bulletins. I assume that’s as a result of everybody will need to take a look at the brand new low-cost MacBook, as a result of I doubt folks will likely be speeding to get a take a look at the M4 chip within the iPad Air.
Apple March ‘expertise’ occasion: What to anticipate
Whereas Apple is promising every week of bulletins, that basically simply means Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. However these three days will likely be crammed with a lot of new merchandise. We’re anticipating quite a few updates to present units, together with:
Welcome to the Apple expertise dwell weblog!
Beginning this morning, Apple will unveil a wide range of new merchandise over the course of the subsequent three days. We count on merchandise to reach at 9 am ET, so stick round for the information, come again for the evaluation of what Apple releases, and take a look at our social media websites (Fb, Threads, and Bluesky) to hitch the dialog.
