March 4, 2026, 11:53 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Ahead of the “Apple Experience” this afternoon, the company has already released several new devices: iPhone 17e, iPad Air M4, new Studio Displays, MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max, and MacBook Air with M5. However, the most eagerly anticipated novelty is the new entry-level MacBook at a budget price, expected to be unveiled later today. Apple itself—quite uncharacteristically—leaked the new product on its site ahead of time.
New Classroom MacBook
Apple has invited people to a “special Apple Experience” on March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. It was initially unclear how the new event format would unfold, but now it’s certain: A lot of new devices will be showcased. Apple issued press releases on Monday and Tuesday about several new products that we had already anticipated. However, one particularly prominent device is still missing: the brand-new entry-level MacBook.
Apple has saved the unveiling for the last moment. Yet, in a rather uncharacteristic move for the company, not only were regulatory details about the device leaked in advance, but even the name. Briefly, an entry for a new device with model number A3404 appeared on Apple’s website for the EU Declaration of Conformity, as reported by “MacRumors.” Although the company has since deleted the entry, the name is now known: The new laptop will be called MacBook Neo. The name likely underscores the intended target audience, as the MacBook is priced to compete with Google’s Chromebooks, which have taken over classrooms in the U.S. and other countries.
To stay connected with the next generation of users, Apple is likely to significantly lower the price. Around $600–$700 is being discussed—a price well below the $1,099 (1,199 euros) for the MacBook Air and roughly on par with an iPad with a keyboard. This marks the Air’s first return to a middle option between entry-level and Pro since the discontinuation of the 12-inch MacBook in 2019.
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How Apple Lowers the Price
To achieve the low entry price, the MacBook Neo is likely to come with scaled-down hardware in many areas. It is already confirmed that the laptop will be equipped with an iPhone chip instead of a Mac chip. The processors of the M series are significantly more expensive to manufacture, which is why Apple might rely on an old acquaintance. The most likely candidate is the A18 Pro, known from the iPhone 16 Pro.
The A18 Pro is not far from the M4 in terms of performance, at least regarding performance per core. However, the M4 offers significantly more multi-core and graphics performance; in these areas, the A18 Pro is more comparable to the M1. On the other hand, the A18 Pro consumes significantly less power.
Savings are also possible with the display. The panel is expected to be slightly smaller at 12.9 inches diagonal compared to the 13.6 inches in the MacBook Air. A keyboard without backlighting is conceivable to further reduce the price.
Vibrant Colors
The invitation to the Apple Experience features an Apple logo composed of several slices with a color gradient from yellow, through green, to blue. Given the information from industry insiders, this is considered a clear indication of multiple, colorful options for the MacBook Neo. These could visually draw inspiration from the iBook G3 from 1999.
The MacBook Neo is set to be unveiled today, and Apple typically opens pre-orders immediately afterward. Delivery usually begins a week after the announcement. The price for Germany is not yet set but is expected to be below the 1,000-euro mark. Especially with Apple’s educational discounts, the new MacBook could be a genuinely affordable alternative to Chromebooks and Windows laptops.