Apple Updates MacBook Lineup with M5 Chips, iPhone 17e Available for Pre-Order

Apple has kicked off March with a series of product announcements, updating its MacBook Air and Pro lines with M5 series chips and officially launching the iPhone 17e. A potential lower-cost MacBook, possibly named the “MacBook Neo,” may also be on the horizon.

iPhone 17e: Value and Performance

The iPhone 17e, announced on March 2, 2026, is positioned as the most affordable member of the iPhone 17 family. It features Apple’s latest-generation A19 chip, delivering enhanced performance. The phone also boasts a 48MP Fusion camera system with next-generation portrait capabilities and 4K Dolby Vision video recording, including an optical-quality 2x Telephoto lens. It includes the C1X cellular modem, offering up to 2x faster speeds compared to the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e.

The iPhone 17e comes with double the starting storage at 256GB and is available in black, white, and a new soft pink finish. Pre-orders commence on Wednesday, March 4, with availability starting on Wednesday, March 11, at a price of $599.

MacBook Air (2026): Performance Boost and Increased Storage

The updated MacBook Air retains its design from 2022 and is now powered by the M5 chip, offering faster processor, memory, graphics, and neural engine performance. Apple claims significant performance gains in AI upscaling, 3D rendering, and image processing compared to previous generations.

Specifically, Apple states the MacBook Air M5 offers:

• Up to 6.9x higher performance in AI upscaling in Topaz Video compared to the M1 MacBook Air, and 1.9x compared to the M4 MacBook Air.
• Up to 6.5x higher 3D rendering performance in Blender compared to the M1 MacBook Air and 1.5x compared to the M4 MacBook Air.
• Up to 2.7x higher image performance in Affinity compared to the M1 MacBook Air and 1.5x compared to the M4 MacBook Air.
• Up to 9.5x higher overall AI performance compared to the M1 MacBook Air and 4x compared to the M4 MacBook Air.

A key improvement is the increased base SSD capacity to 512GB, with options up to 4TB. The new MacBook Air also features the N1 network chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The MacBook Air 13 starts at 29,990 CZK, and the Air 15 at 35,990 CZK. Notably, Apple is no longer including a power adapter with the MacBook Air.

MacBook Pro (2026): M5 Pro and M5 Max Updates

Apple has also refreshed the MacBook Pro lineup with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The base model now includes a 1TB SSD, and the SSD has been upgraded to a PCIe 5 interface, promising faster read speeds of up to 14.5 GB/s.

Apple’s internal tests suggest the new MacBook Pros with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips offer substantial performance improvements in AI image generation, LLM processing, 3D rendering, and gaming. Like the MacBook Air, the updated MacBook Pros no longer include a power adapter.

Prices for the MacBook Pro have increased, starting at 59,990 CZK for the M5 Pro and 109,990 CZK for the M5 Max.

Potential “MacBook Neo” on the Horizon

Rumors suggest Apple may be preparing to launch a lower-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, potentially named the “MacBook Neo.” The model number A3404 appeared on Apple’s regulatory compliance page, hinting at its upcoming release.

Pre-Orders and Availability

Pre-orders for the new products began on Wednesday, March 4, with general availability starting on March 11, as reported by PCMag.