MacBook Neo: Here is what you DON’T get.
Positive, the MacBook Neo looks as if a steal at simply $599. And perhaps it’s! However Apple did have to chop some corners to get at that worth.
iOS 26.3.1, macOS 26.3.1 launched
Apple has launched model 26.3.1 of its working programs. For those who’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 observed the compatibility record for the shows. We obtained a bit 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 dearth of Intel compatibility: The shows require GPUs that may help the Show Stream Compression (DSC) and pixel charges required.
Macs that don’t meet the necessities could “gentle” the shows and run with decreased capabilities.
Atone 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 stories.
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,” stories Michael Simon. “It’s arduous to guage bass within the room I’m in, however i might really feel the vibration within the chassis.”
For those who’re questioning about methodology, Michael notes that the check was primarily based on a Justin Bieber tune.
Summarising the brand new MacBook Air and Professional
For those who 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 kind.
Okay, so what’s improper with it?
When the corporate is charging simply $599 it might be ridiculous to count on the MacBook Neo to be good. In fact there are compromises within the design, function record, and specs record.
So let’s summarise all of the methods through which Apple has lower corners to get that worth 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 screen 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.
- Digital camera: You simply get a 1080p digital camera, 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 help high-impedance headphones.
- Keyboard: Not backlit.
- Trackpad: Multi-Contact, not Pressure Contact.
- Ports: Two USB-C ports. One helps USB 3, whereas the opposite is proscribed to USB 2 speeds. There’s no MagSafe so it’s important 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 machine feels. There’s nothing about it, he says, that feels prefer it ought to value something lower than $1,000.
There is no such thing as a spoon
When the Neo’s identify leaked yesterday, it sounded a bit like a joke. Would Keanu Reeves be within the viewers as we speak, we questioned. Would Apple’s goal market of younger clients even keep 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 properly, as a result of the brand new finances MacBook makes probably the most jaded of tech cynics rethink what’s actual and what’s imaginary. As Michael Simon explains, it confirmed him every little thing he is aware of is a lie.
Exterior monitor help
The Neo’s show is considerably on the small facet, however you may all the time 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 in regards to the mysterious slots on both facet of the MacBook Neo’s chassis, one in every of 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 may see the mesh that offers 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 facet 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 gives, by far. It’s an incredible $500/£500 decrease than the MacBook Air, following that machine’s (debatable) worth rise yesterday.
Roman Loyola has all of the key information 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, may have quite a few limitations in comparison with the MacBooks Air and Professional. However right here’s one that may damage, provided that it’s being offered 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 internet 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 may 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 a bit 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
For those who’re questioning why Apple would provide solely two configurations (or SKUs), keep in mind that this kind of simplicity could make a tool cheaper to fabricate at scale.
Pre-orders are open now, by the way in which.
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 suppose?
(A font skilled informed us that it appears to be like to be a rounded model of Apple’s normal San Francisco typeface, however stretched, and that is supported by underlying code on the web site.)
Apple
Port scenario replace
This can be necessary. The MacBook Neo has no ports on the proper facet. None. Zero.
The place are our vivid colours?
There was a idea, forward of the announcement, that the brand new MacBook would get coloration finishes to match the yellow, inexperienced, and blue within the invitation paintings (see above). Evidently, we didn’t get any of them.
The Citrus is yellow, however doesn’t look any factor just like the paintings when considered in actual life (though it appears to be like extra vibrant in Apple’s product artwork, beneath). There’s no inexperienced choice, and indigo is, properly, indigo–roughly midway between blue and purple.
Apple
A more in-depth look
Let’s look extra intently at a MacBook Neo within the new Citrus coloration end. It’s so much subtler than that identify would counsel.
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
First impressions within the hand
The Neo looks like a smaller, barely thicker MacBook Air. Its Magic Keyboard and trackpad are nice. Tremendous gentle and looks like a $999 MacBook.
A superb first impression.
MacBook Neo in footage
First reactions? It appears to be like good: traditional and fairly enjoyable on the identical time. The colours aren’t tremendous vivid, however they mirror the sunshine very properly and the matching keys are delicate and really feel excessive finish. Citrus is a daring alternative, even when it isn’t tremendous vibrant. Blush looks like one other Apple pink that isn’t very pink.
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
It is really low-cost!
Apple is taking part in up the continuity options: Handoff and so forth. It’s clearly nonetheless eager for us to purchase different Apple merchandise to go together 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 worth. It begins at $599! That’s a superb $100 decrease than the underside finish of what we anticipated, and doesn’t sound like a foul 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 referred to 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 normal)
- 2 USB-C plus headphone jack
- 1080p digital camera
- 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 group 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 whenever 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 taking part in Aperture by Harry Kinds to begin us off. Learn into that what you’ll.
Michael Simon / Foundry
It is virtually time!
We’ve moved via to the primary presentation space, which has a video display screen. No Keanu Reeves as but; the one celeb we’ve noticed to date is Marques Brownlee.
Extra images:
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 ramification of sunshine breakfast objects, water, iced espresso, and juice drinks.
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Apple’s particular expertise in footage
With lower than half an hour to go, Macworld’s Michael Simon is at Apple’s particular expertise in New York. Need to see what it appears to be like like?
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
Michael Simon / Foundry
What the hell is an excellent core?
Yesterday’s M5 Professional and M5 Max bulletins got here with some new buzzwords, and Jason Cross is every kind of triggered with Apple’s newest branding stunt.
Right now’s timings
When can we count on to listen to about as we speak’s new merchandise? It might 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 as we speak, 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 in all probability announce the information to the on-site journalists and the world on the identical time, earlier than the fortunate individuals (together with Macworld representatives) transfer on to hands-on periods with the brand new merchandise. Count on loads of information, images, and skilled evaluation from our reporters within the subject.
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 as we speak. The good cash is on the MacBook Neo, and there’s an out of doors probability we’ll see an A19 refresh of the baseline iPad.
A worth lower, or a worth rise?
Apple’s choice to extend the MacBook Air’s beginning storage, which we discovered about yesterday, goes to be divisive. Not as a result of having extra storage is a foul factor–clearly it’s not–however as a result of it means the beginning worth has gone up too.
It might be argued that this was technically a worth lower, as a result of the 512GB SSD choice now prices $100 lower than earlier than. However in actual phrases it felt like a worth rise, as a result of the 256GB choice isn’t obtainable 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 isn’t merely constructive however “great information,” reasoning that 512GB is now the naked minimal he wants. Some will agree, however I think that the Air has many admirers who don’t want a lot storage in any respect, or rely on the cloud.
For individuals 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 12 months’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 grow to be 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 provides an thought of the margins between merchandise that appear at first look to have the identical tech specs.
Expectations for as we speak
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
Right now 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 equipment) in New York, London, and Shanghai at 9am ET. So what has Apple obtained in retailer for us?
The apparent product to complete on is the finances MacBook, which Apple appeared to leak by accident with a regulatory submitting yesterday. Based mostly on that gaffe it appears to be like like this machine will referred to as the MacBook Neo.
It’s additionally doable we’ll get the anticipated replace to the baseline iPad, probably 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 12 months.
Good morning!
Welcome to our European readers (plus any insomniacs within the U.S.) as we head into day three of Apple’s massive 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
For those who’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 a wierd time, however I assume it’s associated to the “Expertise” occasion that kicks off at 9 am. We additionally count on not less than yet one more product to be obtainable for preorder: the brand new low-cost MacBook.
Yet another sleepless night time!
There’s in the future 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 (presumably named Neo). We’ll be on web site 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’d 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 gained’t be lengthy now till the Intel period is totally previously.
Take a look at this retro reference within the M5 MacBook Professional advert
Apple has launched an advert for its new M5 Professional and Max MacBook Professionals, and in case you take a look at the left facet of the display screen 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 help 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 in all probability arrive early subsequent week, forward of the brand new merchandise arriving on March 11.
Extra particulars in regards to the MacBook Neo
Macrumors has dug into the leaked regulatory submitting to get some further particulars in regards to the new low-cost MacBook Neo. In response to the submitting, it’s going to 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 in regards to the iPad? Is Apple holding it again for tomorrow for some motive associated to the MacBook? 🤔
The place are you, iPad?
Foundry
The ‘low-cost’ MacBook comes into focus
Apple shuffled its complete MacBook pricing construction for 2 causes: to assist offset the rising value of RAM and to make room for what we now suppose can be referred to 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, however 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 help. Bummer.
Apple’s new Professional monitor would not have a horrible worth
Alongside a easy replace to the Studio Show that brings a greater digital camera 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. May 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 may preorder them tomorrow.
A completely loaded MacBook Professional is definitely a bit cheaper
For those who’re trying to get probably the most MacBook doable—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 really 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 p.c for professional workloads.”
M5 MacBook Professionals now begin at 1TB
Apple eradicated the 512GB variations of the M5 MacBook Professional as we speak, elevating the beginning storage to 1TB and costs by $100-$200 throughout the board. So that you’re paying a bit 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 expertise, however 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 as we speak, a brand new Studio Show for $1,599 that brings a 12MP Middle Stage digital camera 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 identical time as we speak, 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!
Colour me disillusioned
The iPhone 17e has quite a few limitations, together with slower MagSafe charging speeds and a binned A19 processor. However the largest disappointment for some analysts is the weakest pink within the historical past of tech. Check out Smooth Pink:
Apple
Extra bulletins on the way in which!
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 probably make an look as we speak, together with the entry-level iPad. Prepare!
The brand new iPad Air is not actually new
The brand new iPad Air web site regarded acquainted, so I went to the Web Archive to have a look at the M3 web site, and positive 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
For those who’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 via Apple. Most are only a few {dollars}, however you’ll get about $150 much less in case you’re buying and selling in a 16-inch MacBook Professional. You may take a look at the worth 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 night time, 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 method than its ordinary promoting. It includes a voiceover operating via the brand new options in a extremely edited, scatterhot vogue. Watch it beneath:
OS 26.4 beta intrigue
This might be only a quirk unrelated to this week’s bulletins, however Apple launched the third OS 26.4 beta updates to builders as we speak for iOS, iPad OS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS—every little thing however macOS. May that sign that new Macs are on the way in which on Tuesday, and Apple remains 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 in Brilliant Guava (pink) and Vanilla (off-white), whereas the iPhone 17 silicone case will get an Electrical Lavender (purple) coloration as properly. The iPhone 17e silicone instances additionally are available in Brilliant Guava and Vanilla, together with a brand new Smooth Pink choice to match the brand new cellphone. The identical coloration choices lengthen to Apple Watch bands and Crossbody straps.
Apple
Deal: M3 iPad Air for $150 off
For those who’re searching for a brand new iPad Air, you may save $150 on the 5G model of the 11-inch M3 mannequin proper now. That’s mainly 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 offered out), so go seize it if you’d like one.
iPhone 17e: It is not thrilling however it’s nonetheless a superb deal
The iPhone 17e might not be an enormous improve over final 12 months’s 16e, however for many customers it nonetheless delivers a superb expertise and worth at a worth that’s 25% lower than the iPhone 17.
Tons 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 help the brand new merchandise. We’ll have heaps extra protection via as we speak and the remainder of this week, so hold this web page open in your browser!
iPad Air: Heigh‐Ho, ho-hum
There’s not a lot to say in regards to the new iPad Air, however it’s nonetheless a terrific pill at a terrific worth.
iPhone 17e: Extra MagSafe disappointment
David Value digs into the iPhone 17e announcement to separate the great (MagSafe, storage pricing) from the dangerous (MagSafe speeds, binned A19 chip).
Apple
The place’s the iPad?
Apple up to date the iPad Air as we speak however didn’t launch a brand new base-level iPad, which can be anticipated to get a chip refresh this week. It looks as if the 2 fashions go hand-in-hand, so perhaps Apple has one thing greater for the entry-level mannequin?
Even Apple cannot discover something new in regards to the iPad Air
Apple’s tagline for the iPad Air is, “Now supercharged by M4,” which is identical as earlier than, when it was “Now supercharged by M3.”
Odd preorder time
The brand new iPad Air and iPhone 17e can be obtainable 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 might 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 observed in regards to the iPhone 17e:
- It has a 4-core GPU in comparison with the iPhone 17’s 5 cores
- It’s obtained a Ceramic Protect 2 entrance with 3x higher scratch resistance
- Similar 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 obtainable 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 gentle pink coloration along with black and white. Nevertheless it nonetheless has a notch. It begins on the identical worth, $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
Based mostly 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 underneath $599?
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stories that Apple believes its new MacBook is “unbelievable worth” and that it’ll “drive a severe variety of switchers from Home windows machines and Chromebooks.” This might simply be Apple’s personal hype machine at full tilt, however it might additionally sign that the brand new MacBook can be cheaper than we expect. May $499 be doable?
Apple Shops prepared for giant crowds
In response to 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 can be dashing 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 per week of bulletins, that basically simply means Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. However these three days can be full of a lot of new merchandise. We’re anticipating quite a few updates to present gadgets, together with:
Welcome to the Apple expertise stay weblog!
Beginning this morning, Apple will unveil a wide range of new merchandise over the course of the following 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 affix the dialog.
