March 7, 2026, 11:31 am | Read time: 3 minutes
On March 4, 2026, Apple unveiled a series of new products in London. The spotlight was on new versions of MacBooks and a refreshed iPad Air. TECHBOOK closely followed the event and highlights what’s new.
The Brand-New MacBook Neo
With the MacBook Neo, Apple introduced a particularly affordable entry-level model. The 13-inch device is slightly more compact than the MacBook Air, offers a resolution of 2406 x 1506 pixels and good image quality, but only supports sRGB and lacks True Tone.
Instead of an M-chip, the Neo uses a scaled-down version of the A18 Pro, known from the iPhone, with 2 performance, 4 efficiency, and 5 graphics cores. On paper, it’s weaker than the M5 models, but it proved to be fast and suitable for everyday use in a brief test. The RAM is fixed at 8 gigabytes.
Apple economizes on features: two USB-C ports (USB 3 and USB 2), no MagSafe, and no keyboard backlighting. The keyboard and a large touchpad made a good first impression. The MacBook Neo costs 699 euros with 256 gigabytes of storage or 799 euros with 512 gigabytes and Touch ID, is available in four colors, and will be delivered starting March 11.
Chip Upgrades for MacBook Air and iPad Air
With the introduction of the M5 chip, Apple gives the MacBook Air more power. The 13- and 15-inch models replace the M4 chip versions and promise up to 50 percent more performance in everyday applications. Additionally, the Air now comes standard with 512 gigabytes of SSD storage and supports Wi-Fi 7 with the N1 chip.
The casing remains unchanged from the predecessor. Hands-on experience shows that the build quality, keyboard, and display make a solid impression as expected.
Apple also updates the iPad Air with the more powerful M4 chip. The tablet is available in 11 and 13 inches and promises up to 30 percent more speed compared to the predecessors with the M3 chip.
The N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 is also used here. Additionally, the C1X chip for 5G connectivity is included. The design remains unchanged, as we couldn’t detect any differences.
MacBook Pros with Mega Chips
Since October 2025, the MacBook Pro has been available with the “small” M5 processor, and now the more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max variants follow, replacing the previous M4 Pro and M4 Max models. As with the base model, Apple promises a significant performance boost—especially for AI applications, which the manufacturer claims run up to 3.8 times faster. At an event in London, Apple showcased elaborate, extremely smooth demos.
A clear advantage given rising chip prices is the larger base configuration: The MacBook Pro now starts with at least 1 terabyte of SSD storage. Additionally, the new N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 ensures faster WLAN. Apple hasn’t changed the casing or displays, which is not a disadvantage, as the M4 models were already impressive in these areas.
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Studio Display Replaces Pro Display XDR
The Studio Display receives an upgrade with a 12-megapixel camera featuring Center Stage, which keeps the user centered in the frame. This hardware is complemented by new Thunderbolt 5 ports, allowing for more versatile connections.
The higher-priced Studio Display XDR model offers extremely high screen brightness, reaching up to 2000 nits in HDR mode. Additionally, it finally includes a 120-hertz panel and mini-LED technology with more than 2000 light zones.
Prices and Market Launch
All new Apple products can be ordered immediately and will be available starting March 11, 2026. Prices for the iPad Air start at 649 euros for the 11-inch model. The latest generation of the MacBook Air is available from 1199 euros. Prices for the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro start at 1899 euros, while the Studio Display in the standard version costs 1699 euros.