Hey everyone! We miss you! Well, those of you we haven’t spoken with in a little bit. It’s a privilege to work with you.
This is Ivan, as you know, and I’m here, as you know, to give you my two cents on Apple’s flurry of announcements this month. You ready?
MACBOOK NEO
The marquee item is an all-new Mac laptop, called MacBook Neo, available for the strikingly low price of $599 ($499 for students/education), and which comes in several fun colors. Clearly the pitch was, “MacBook Air, but cut cost on every component possible without excessively compromising the experience.”
Externally, the Neo resembles a slightly thicker 13-inch MacBook Air, and it weighs the same. Before I run down the differences, the topline is that this is a perfectly functional Mac, and could work well as a secondary machine, a first Mac, a travel laptop, a kid’s laptop, and even a daily use Mac if your needs are relatively light. Whether all of that will be true 3-4 years from now when newer operating systems and software demand more from the hardware remains to be seen, but, for now, it’s solid for the price.
If you’re in the market for a machine you’re going to spend lots of time on and are going to use for many years, I still think the Air’s $400 premium (compared to the Neo’s 512 GB model) is well worth it, but I don’t think the Neo is a bad purchase as long as you understand what you’re buying. Apple appears to have made the right compromises so that you’re not buying junk, but it’s still the entry-level model. MacBook Neo makes sense as long you are clear that it’s not a bargain Mac, but rather a budget Mac. The MacBook Air is the actual bargain, and is frequently discounted by $150-$250 at third party vendors like Amazon and Best Buy – just something to keep in mind.
So, what don’t you get on the Neo? A lot, but it’s all smaller details, nothing drastic.
- Compared to the MacBook Air M5 13-inch:
- the processor is meaningfully slower
- the solid state drive is slower
- memory is only 8 GB with no upgrade
- maximum storage is 512 GB
- the base 256 GB model doesn’t have Touch ID
- there’s no keyboard backlight
- the screen is slightly smaller, and it doesn’t adjust screen tint to your environment and its color richness and range is slightly lesser
- the power adapter is a slow 20W iPad charger unless you opt for something beefier
- the sound is tinnier
- the camera is lower resolution and doesn’t offer Center Stage (that’s the “feature” that follows you around as you move) and has no “on” light
- it has a slightly less sophisticated microphone
- it doesn’t support Wi-Fi 7
- no Thunderbolt support
- it only supports one external display rather than two
- the trackpad is smaller and the click is mechanical so it can’t be customized to taste
- the battery lasts slightly less long
- charging is only via USB-C as there is no MagSafe connector
- one of the two USB-C ports is much slower
- it’s slightly less svelte-feeling overall
Initially, I was pretty skeptical, not so much because of these limitations as much as its processor (which came from last year’s iPhone 16 Pro), its 8 GB memory limitation (which is inherent to that particular processor), and its slower solid state drive. My expectation was that this would make the Neo slower than even the original MacBook Air M1 from late 2020.
However, numerous performance reports have been published, and the consensus seems to be that, hey, performance ain’t bad, actually, for light to medium usage. Neo’s not gonna keep up if you have 100 browser tabs open or are running 20 apps at once, and probably won’t meet your needs if you do sustained, computationally demanding work (like, say, graphics rendering or software development), but it may even outperform the M1 for a lot of normal Microsoft Word and Safari/Chrome/Firefox use, and it clearly outperforms even the high-end Intel models that preceded Apple silicon chips, while staying perfectly silent (Neo, like the Air, has no fan).
Reviewers have also noted that Apple may have made a cheap Mac laptop, but it doesn’t feel cheap. It feels as polished and solid as other Mac computers, and it performs well enough to not sully the Apple brand. For comparison, there’s nothing at all like it at this price for a mainstream Microsoft Windows laptop; they’re plasticky, generally feel low-budget, and have considerably worse screens (plus you have to use Windows).
My biggest concern about the Neo remains that its 8 GB of memory may simply not be enough in a few years, and then the machine will be too slow, or even unable to do certain things you may want it to. I’ve been advising people get 16 GB of memory minimum for this reason; but, on the other hand, at its price, that might be fine, because whatever newer model Apple will have released by then will be better, and it won’t sting too much to replace the one you’ve got, especially if you get some trade-in value for your existing Neo. (Though whether Apple can keep the price this low a few years from now is another question, as chips have skyrocketed in price due to a global RAM shortage created by AI demand.)
As for smaller concerns, the single fast USB-C port may be a bummer if you attach, say, both a screen and a drive to your Mac, but it can be worked around with a USB-C hub. If you never attach anything to your Mac besides power, though, as is true for most, it’s a non-issue.
If you’re considering a Neo, I’d encourage you to spend an extra $100 for the version that comes with 512 GB of storage and Touch ID, unless you want to spend absolutely bottom dollar and you know you’re going to spend most of your time in a browser (that is, you’re not going to store much on it).
I can imagine Apple selling a lot of MacBook Neos.
IPHONE 17e
Apple upgraded their cheapest iPhone; the new 17e replaces the 16e, and starts at $599. If you don’t care that much about photography, this is actually a pretty good deal; it has iPhone 17 level performance and capability for $200 less. There’s no ultrawide lens, but that’s the most significant difference. Some may notice more “jitter” when scrolling due to it not having a ProMotion display as found on the more expensive models, though I personally have never been bothered by that. Your mileage may vary.
MACBOOK AIR M5
As you can tell, I’m a MacBook Air fan, so I’m happy it’s been sped up with Apple’s newest chip, which first appeared a few months ago in the MacBook Pro 14-inch, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro (remember that thing?). Performance reviews have suggested it’s reasonably hot stuff, with a solid performance increase over the M4, and something you’ll probably feel if you’re using an M1 or M2.
Should you upgrade? Well, if you’re still using an Intel-based Mac laptop (you can check under Apple menu > About This Mac), either MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, then yes, this is it: you should upgrade. (Unless you bought yours in 2020 or 2021 and just can’t bear it, and want to squeeze a little more life out before replacing it; I do get it.) But MacBook Air M5 will run circles around it, with zero fan noise, and your battery will last twice as long. Also, Apple hates your Intel Mac, and is supporting it as little as they have to, with next year’s version of macOS unable to run on it at all, if you haven’t been cut off already.
If you’re using a MacBook Air M1, it’s a judgment call; you’ll probably feel a little extra zippiness, and you’ll get a little bit bigger screen (or a much bigger 15-inch screen, should you want that), a MagSafe charging port, better webcam, better microphone, and better speakers.
If you have a MacBook Air M2 or later, with at least 16 GB of memory, while MacBook Air M5 is certainly a better performer, it’s the same design, and so not that much of a game changer unless you’re tight on disk space and want to go up. As always, if in doubt, ask us!
MacBook Air now comes with 512 GB minimum, which I consider to be a good thing; performance on solid state drives slows down well before you get close to the ceiling, so having abundant free space keeps the machine humming. With that said, the base price is now $100 higher, at $1,099 (or $1,299 for the 15-inch model), but that’s still an excellent deal for the machine you get, and third-party retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, et al) periodically discount them by $150-$250. Also, these vendors are still selling the M4 models at some nice prices, and I have no difficulty recommending those if you want to save a couple hundred.
Media-consuming road warriors who travel light might also be excited that MacBook Air M5 now offers a 4 TB storage option, and, while pricey, it’s the first time Apple has offered a huge drive in a thin-n-lite model. That might even motivate me to consider it as my next Mac, rather than another MacBook Pro 14-inch, except that I’ve gotten addicted to USB-C charging on either side of the machine, and I can’t go back (MacBook Air M5 retains its two USB-C ports on the left side, and only the headphone jack on the right side).
MACBOOK PRO WITH M5, M5 PRO, OR M5 MAX CHIP
The MacBook Pro is also an excellent laptop; while it weighs more and feels generally chunkier than the Air, everything about it is just a little better. The screen color is richer; it has more ports; the speakers are better (really good, in fact, considering it’s a laptop); the microphone is better; and, while usually silent, the Pro has a very quiet fan to keep it performing well even when it’s thinking hard.
MacBook Pro is offered in a dizzying array of configurations. The cheapest version of the 14-inch model got an M5 chip last year, while the higher end models did not, leading to confusing buying decisions. Happily, that confusion is now resolved, with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips now being offered as options. As you might expect, these compute with more oomph, which is especially beneficial for those who work with graphics and video. The line starts at $1,699 for the 14-inch entry model (base M5 chip, 16 GB memory, 1 TB storage), running all the way up to $7,349 for a maxed out 16-inch model (most powerful M5 Max chip, 128 GB memory, 8 TB storage, and a glare-reducing “nano-texture” display). The 16-inch model, per usual, is not offered in a “cheap” configuration with a base M5 chip.
IPAD AIR M4
The iPad Air is best thought of as iPad Pro 11-inch, but with Touch ID instead of Face ID. Yes, there are other differences, but that’s the one you’ll notice most day to day. The iPad Air now has the same (quite powerful) chip that’s inside last year’s iPad Pro.
Current iPad Pro models have an M5 chip, but I can’t imagine you’d notice the difference unless you’re a very heavy iPad user doing graphics work with it. iPadOS is oriented around simplicity and security more than productivity; as much as Apple might protest that it’s a “real computer,” a faster chip is not going to speed up how fast its interface lets you do your work or play.
So, my vote is: iPad Pro if you want Face ID; iPad Air if Touch ID is good enough; iPad regular if you want to spend the least for a perfectly acceptable if slightly slower model (shades of MacBook Neo). iPad Air starts at $599 (seems to be a theme), and comes in a few colors.
STUDIO DISPLAY AND STUDIO DISPLAY XDR
I’m almost done, I promise.
The Studio Display is Apple’s expensive ($1,599 and up) but excellent 27-inch, 5K display with webcam and (quite good) speakers. It’s particularly intended to be used with their “desktop” Mac mini and Mac Studio models, but is also suitable for any Mac as a second screen, though MacBook Neo will only operate it at a 4K resolution, meaning everything will appear a bit larger and possibly with less sharpness.
Apple improved the Studio Display in minor ways, such as an improved webcam that supports Desk View (which can show both your face and part of your desk), Thunderbolt 5 support, an extra Thunderbolt port, and deeper bass from the speakers. None of this is enough reason to replace an existing model, but they do make a good monitor better.
The new Studio Display XDR is interesting, though. It’s around twice the price, starting at $3,299, with specs that broadcast professionals, photographers, and other display nerds (I say that lovingly) will care about, as will those who just want an ultra-premium 27-inch display for their Mac. You could think of this monitor as a prosumer successor to the professional-targeted (and very expensive) 32-inch 6K Pro Display XDR, which Apple has now discontinued; the display quality of the new model is said to be as good or better, and there’s now a webcam and high-quality speakers, at around half the price. But it’s smaller, so it’s not a literal replacement; if you want a professional quality screen larger than 27 inches or above 5K, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
WHAT ABOUT IMAC, MAC MINI, AND MAC STUDIO?
Crickets from Cupertino. All seem primed for M5 family chips relatively soon; if you’re in the market and can hold off, I probably would. But, if you a new need a new Mac now, there isn’t anything wrong with an M4 (or optional M4 Pro in Mac mini). Mac Studio is still being sold with M3 Max and M3 Ultra chips, though, so I’d more strongly encourage holding off, especially considering the pretty penny they’ll set you back.
WHAT ABOUT APPLE TV?
Nope. Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation, from 2022) remains the current model; on the other hand, so what. It’s just an Apple TV. The screen savers won’t be any prettier on a new one. The model they’re selling works fine, except the Siri Remote really is long overdue for Find My support, for when it disappears under the bed or between the cushions or whatever.If you’re wondering what an Apple TV does for you if you mainly watch the big streaming services and they’re all available as part of your smart TV: some people like Apple TV for its nicer interface, and some people like it for privacy reasons, since smart TV’s gather data on everything you watch. (If this matters to you, then you would also want to opt out of your smart TV’s license agreement, which gives it permission to snapshot your Apple TV or any other video source).
AM I DONE YET?
Yep, but we’re also here if you have any questions at all about any of this new stuff, or any of your old stuff, or anything in between!
(March 2026)