Everything You Need to Know
Apple announced three new MacBooks this week and revamped its laptop lineup with distinct tiers for different types of users. The company introduced the new MacBook Neo, updated the MacBook Air with the M5 chip, and expanded the MacBook Pro lineup with M5 Pro and M5 Max processors.
For years, the MacBook Air served as the entry point into Apple’s ecosystem while the MacBook Pro handled demanding professional tasks. With the launch of the MacBook Neo, Apple added a new category under the Air and positioned each laptop clearly for specific users and budgets.
The company launched the MacBook Neo as the most affordable MacBook yet while updating the Air and Pro models with faster chips and improved storage options.
MacBook Neo
The MacBook Neo is Apple’s most affordable MacBook to date, with a starting price of $599 for the base model. Apple designed this laptop for users who want a simple Mac experience for everyday tasks such as web browsing, email checking, texting, and basic productivity.
The laptop has a 13-inch display and runs on the A18 Pro chip, the same processor that first appeared in the iPhone. Apple also includes 8GB of integrated memory and offers two storage options: 256GB and 512 GB.
Apple has also focused on design and accessibility with the Neo. The laptop comes in four color options including silver, blush, citrus, and indigo, giving the device a consumer-friendly look.
- 13-inch display
- A18 Pro chip
- 8GB integrated memory
- 256GB or 512GB storage
- Two USB-C ports and a headphone jack
- Support for one external monitor up to 4K at 60Hz
Pre-orders for the MacBook Neo are now open and the device will begin shipping on March 11.
M5 MacBook Air
Apple has also updated the MacBook Air with a new M5 chip, which brings improved performance compared to the previous M4 model. The new Air starts at $1,099 for the base configuration and now includes 512GB of storage as standard.
The M5 chip presents stronger graphics performance thanks to additional Neural Accelerators, while Apple has also improved the speed of the SSD, which now runs twice as fast compared to the previous generation.
The updated MacBook Air also gets a new Apple N1 wireless chip that supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Apple continues to offer two display sizes for the Air, including 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch Liquid Retina panels.
- Apple M5 chip
- 512GB base storage
- Fast SSD speed
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
- Up to 18 hours of battery life
Despite the price increase from last year’s model, the MacBook Air remains Apple’s most popular laptop and continues to provide users who need a balance between portability and performance.
MacBook Pro (M5 Pro and M5 Max)
At the top of the list, Apple expanded the MacBook Pro family with new M5 Pro and M5 Max processors for the 14-inch and 16-inch models. Base pricing starts at $2,199 for the entry configuration.
Apple says the new chips include advanced super cores that deliver the fastest CPU performance available in a laptop. These models also increase the storage base to 1TB in the M5 Pro configuration and 2TB for the M5 Max systems.
The MacBook Pro continues to target professionals working with complex software such as video editing tools, development environments, and 3D rendering applications.
- M5 Pro and M5 Max chips
- Liquid Retina XDR display
- Active cooling for continuous operation
- HDMI and additional Thunderbolt ports
- Advanced memory and storage options
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
Battery life is also slightly better for the M5 Max models compared to the previous generation, while the M5 Pro models maintain the same endurance of the previous M4 version.
Apple’s latest MacBook announcements create a clearer framework for its laptop. The MacBook Neo targets new Mac users and budget buyers, the MacBook Air focuses on everyday productivity, and the MacBook Pro continues to handle professional-level workloads.
