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ZDNET Highlights
- The $599 MacBook Neo was unveiled on March 4.
- Apple announced the MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro and M5 Max on March 3, as well as a new Studio Display.
- The iPhone 17e and iPad Air debuted on March 2 ahead of the March 4 event.
While there have long been rumors that Apple is working on some kind of iPad and Mac launch this spring, we finally got to see Apple’s first major product launch of 2026 earlier this week. Apple held an event in New York on March 4, where it unveiled the new MacBook Neo, an affordable $599 laptop. However, several products were launched ahead of this event.
Apple also announced the launch of an iPhone 17e and a new iPad Air with an upgraded M4 processor on March 2, as well as a MacBook Pro with a new M5 Pro and M5 Max processor and a Studio Display at 3/3″. These announcements came after Apple CEO Tim Cook Confirmed on social media New products announced last week will be announced starting Monday, March 2.
Apple announces every product in March 2026
Rumors about what Apple plans to announce this spring have been swirling for months, and we’re already expecting at least one new MacBook to join the new iPad Air and iPhone 17e. All products announced are available for preorder today, with general availability following March 11.
1. MacBook Neo
Reminds me of old colorful iMacs macbook neo It is an affordable laptop from Apple. At $599, the Neo is a big difference from the previous cheapest Apple laptop, the MacBook Air, which started at $1,099. The MacBook Neo has 16 hours of battery life, an A18 Pro processor with Apple Intelligence support, a multi-touch trackpad, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.
Also: First look at Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo: The budget Mac we’ve been waiting for?
Apple’s new MacBook Neo features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, a lightweight aluminum construction that makes it only 2.7 pounds, and will be available in five colors: Blush, Indigo, Silver, and Citrus.
2. iPad Air with M4
latest ipad air The iPad Pro M5 features advanced processing power, larger memory bandwidth, an improved center stage camera, and faster connectivity with its N1 and C1X chips.
Also: Apple’s new M4 iPad Air is twice as fast as your old M1 model
The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599, the same price as the previous model with the M3 processor, while the 13-inch starts at $799. Apple is starting pre-orders for the iPad Air along with the M4 and iPhone 17e on March 4, with general availability following on March 11.
3. iPhone 17e
Apple also released iPhone 17EHowever it does not feature Dynamic Island, which was rumored to be in the works. Rumors had pegged the iPhone 17e release date to early 2026.
Also: The iPhone 17e is here: 6 ways Apple just upgraded its cheapest phone
The iPhone 17e features a quad A19 chip, a 48MP rear camera, MagSafe support, and 256GB of storage, with a price starting at $599. It also comes in a new soft pink colorway over last year’s black and white.
4. MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max
Macbook Pro Laptops with the new M5 Pro and M5 Max processors are now available for preorder as well, although you’ll have to spend $200 more than the previous generation. However, the integrated memory cap for the M5 Pro laptop has increased with 64GB and 1TB of baseline storage. The laptop features the N1 wireless networking chip, which adds support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
Too: macbook pro vs macbook air
The MacBook Pro with M5 Pro starts at $2,199, while the M5 Max laptop starts at $3,599.
5. Studio Display XDR
Apple first launched the Studio Display in 2022, and it is positioned as a worthy (albeit expensive) monitor for consumers, creators, and professionals in both home and office. new 27 inches studio display xdr It features mini-LED backlighting, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 12MP center stage camera with desk view, and 2,000 nits peak HDR brightness.
Also: Why UltraWide Monitors Shouldn’t Be Your Default Choice for Productivity
Apple also made a new announcement studio performance With a 5K Retina panel, 600 nits brightness, Thunderbolt 5 and a 12MP center stage camera.
What didn’t Apple announce?
On Monday, Apple began announcing products ahead of schedule, including a new “entry-level” iPhone and iPad Air. Yet we haven’t seen everything that’s rumored to be coming to market – at least, not yet.
1. A touchscreen Mac
However, the biggest MacBook rumor didn’t come true during the March 4 announcement. While consumers are widely expecting a touchscreen MacBook from Apple, most sources say it’s not expected until at least late 2026.
Also: Lenovo showed me its modular ThinkBook laptop, and I wish it wasn’t just a concept
While Tim Cook’s social media Post Given the hints at touchscreen Mac interaction and the touchscreen demo experience being a compelling reason to hold an in-person event, it appears this product isn’t arriving in stores just yet.
2. iPad 12
On the iPad side of things, there’s still rumor that Apple will add an A18 base model, the 12th-generation iPad, to be joined by an iPad Air with the M4 later this year.
Too: I tested every iPad model Apple currently sells – here’s my advice for Pro users in 2026
Putting the A18 Bionic chip in the iPad will finally bring Apple Intelligence to Apple’s base model tablets. It will bring Apple’s AI features to a wider audience, especially those shopping for the most affordable iPad.
