Quick Read
- Apple Store went offline on March 4, 2026, signaling major product launches.
- Apple unveiled the new MacBook Neo, starting at an unprecedented $599.
- The MacBook Neo features an A18 Pro chip, 13-inch Liquid Retina display, and up to 16 hours of battery life.
- New MacBook Air models with the M5 chip were also announced, starting at $1,099.
- MacBook Neo and M5 MacBook Air are available for pre-order now, with general availability on March 11.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA (Azat TV) – The Apple Store website and app temporarily went offline globally on March 4, 2026, a customary precursor to major product announcements, immediately preceding the unveiling of the all-new MacBook Neo and an updated MacBook Air featuring the M5 chip. This strategic downtime signaled a significant refresh of Apple’s laptop lineup, making the Mac platform more accessible while also introducing high-performance options for professionals.
The temporary shutdown of the Apple Store, reported by outlets like 9to5Mac and MacRumors, built anticipation for what Apple was set to reveal. Shortly after, the company officially introduced the MacBook Neo, an entirely new laptop designed to bring the Mac experience to a broader audience with a breakthrough starting price of just $599. Alongside the Neo, Apple also launched its latest MacBook Air models, powered by the advanced M5 chip, available in 13-inch and 15-inch configurations starting at $1,099.
MacBook Neo: Accessibility Meets Performance
The MacBook Neo represents Apple’s push for greater affordability without compromising on core features. Unveiled with a durable aluminum design and available in vibrant colors like blush, indigo, silver, and citrus, the laptop features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, powered by the A18 Pro chip. Apple stated that the MacBook Neo is up to 50 percent faster for everyday tasks and up to three times faster for on-device AI workloads compared to the bestselling PC with the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 processor.
Key specifications include up to 16 hours of battery life, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio, and the Magic Keyboard with a large Multi-Touch trackpad. Running on macOS Tahoe, it seamlessly integrates with Apple Intelligence features and iPhone continuity. Pre-orders for the MacBook Neo began on March 4, 2026, with general availability starting March 11. An educational pricing of $499 makes it even more attractive for students.
New MacBook Air with M5 Chip
In parallel, Apple also updated its popular MacBook Air line with the new M5 chip, featuring a faster CPU, next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator, and 153GB/s of memory bandwidth. The M5-powered MacBook Air is designed for demanding creative projects, complex AI tasks, and business use, delivering significant performance improvements over its predecessor. It also incorporates Apple’s N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity.
Available in 13-inch and 15-inch Liquid Retina display options, these models maintain the sleek design of the MacBook Air and offer MagSafe charging. The 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 starts at $1,099, while the 15-inch model begins at $1,299, with educational discounts also available. Like the MacBook Neo, these new MacBook Air models became available for pre-order on March 4 and will arrive in stores on March 11.
A Broader Apple Product Refresh
The launch of the MacBook Neo and M5 MacBook Air is part of a broader product refresh from Apple this week. MacRumors reported that prior to these laptop announcements, Apple had already unveiled six other products, including an iPhone 17e, a new iPad Air with the M4 chip, new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, an updated Studio Display, and an all-new Studio Display XDR. This series of announcements underscores Apple’s aggressive strategy to update its core product lines across various price points and performance tiers.
Apple emphasized its commitment to environmental responsibility with the MacBook Neo, noting it is the company’s lowest-carbon MacBook to date. It features 60 percent recycled content, including 90 percent recycled aluminum and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. The manufacturing process uses 50 percent less aluminum compared to traditional methods, with 45 percent renewable electricity across the supply chain.
The launch of the MacBook Neo at an unprecedented price point of $599 signifies a strategic move by Apple to capture a larger share of the mainstream laptop market, directly challenging Windows PC dominance in the budget and mid-range segments while leveraging the integrated power of Apple silicon and macOS.