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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The $599 MacBook Neo was unveiled on March 4.
- Apple announced the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max, as well as a new Studio Display, on March 3.
- iPhone 17e and iPad Air debuted on March 2, ahead of the March 4 event.
While rumors had long been swirling that Apple is working on some kind of iPad and Mac launch this spring, we finally got to witness Apple’s first major product launch of 2026 earlier this week. Apple held an event on March 4 in New York, where it unveiled the new MacBook Neo, an affordable $599 laptop. Multiple product launches preceded this event, however.
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 processors and a Studio Display on 3/3. These announcements came after Apple’s CEO Tim Cook confirmed on social media last week that new products would be announced beginning on Monday, March 2.
Every product Apple announced in March 2026
Rumors about what Apple planned to announce this spring have been swirling for months, and we were 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 on March 11.
1. MacBook Neo
Reminiscent of the old colorful iMacs, the MacBook Neo is Apple’s affordable laptop. At $599, the Neo is a big contrast to the formerly cheapest Apple laptop, the MacBook Air, which starts at $1,099. The MacBook Neo features a 16-hour battery life, the A18 Pro processor with Apple Intelligence support, a multi-touch trackpad, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.
Also: Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo first look: The budget Mac we’ve been waiting for?
Apple’s new MacBook Neo has a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, a lightweight aluminum construction that makes it only 2.7lbs, and will be available in five colors: Blush, Indigo, Silver, and Citrus.
2. iPad Air with M4
The latest iPad Air features upgraded processing power, larger memory bandwidth, an improved Center Stage camera, and faster connectivity with N1 and C1X, the chips in the iPad Pro M5.
Also: Apple’s new M4 iPad Air is twice as fast as your old M1 model
The 11-inch iPad Air starts at the same $599 price as the previous model with an M3 processor, while the 13-inch starts at $799. Apple is opening preorders for the iPad Air with M4 and the iPhone 17e on March 4, with general availability on March 11.
3. iPhone 17e
Apple also released the iPhone 17e, though it doesn’t feature the Dynamic Island, which was rumored to be in the works. Rumors had narrowed the iPhone 17e’s release date to early 2026.
Also: iPhone 17e is here: 6 ways Apple just upgraded its cheapest phone
The iPhone 17e features a binned A19 chip, a 48MP rear camera, MagSafe support, and 256GB of storage, starting at $599. It also comes in a new Soft Pink color, on top of last year’s Black and White.
4. MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max
The MacBook Pro laptops with new M5 Pro and M5 Max processors are now available for preorder as well, though you’ll have to shell out $200 more than the previous generation. The unified memory cap for the M5 Pro laptop, however, has increased, with up to 64GB and 1TB of baseline storage. The laptops feature the N1 wireless networking chip, which add support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
Also: 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’s held up as a worthy (albeit pricey) monitor for consumers, creators, and professionals alike, both at home and in the office. The new 27-inch Studio Display XDR 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 an ultrawide monitor shouldn’t be your default choice for productivity
Apple also announced a new Studio Display with a 5K Retina panel, 600 nits of brightness, Thunderbolt 5, and a 12MP Center Stage camera.
What Apple didn’t announce
On Monday, Apple began announcing products ahead of its scheduled event, including a new “entry-level” iPhone and iPad Air. Yet we didn’t see everything that had been rumored to come to the market — at least, not yet.
1. A touchscreen Mac
The biggest MacBook rumor, however, did not come true during the March 4 announcement. While consumers have been widely expecting a touchscreen MacBook from Apple, most sources say it isn’t 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 hinted at touchscreen Mac interaction and a touchscreen demo experience is a compelling reason to hold an in-person event, it appears this product isn’t hitting stores just yet.
2. iPad 12
On the iPad side, Apple is still rumored to release an A18 base model this year, the 12th-generation iPad, to join the iPad Air with M4, later this year.
Also: I tested every iPad model that Apple currently sells – here’s my advice for Pro users in 2026
Putting the A18 Bionic chip in the iPad would finally bring Apple Intelligence to Apple’s base model tablet. This would bring Apple’s AI features to a broader audience, specifically those shopping for the most affordable iPad.