Apple announced three new MacBooks this week and reshaped its laptop lineup with clearer tiers for different types of users. The company introduced the new MacBook Neo, refreshed 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 laptop ecosystem while the MacBook Pro handled demanding professional tasks. With the introduction of MacBook Neo, Apple added a new category below the Air and positioned each laptop more clearly for specific users and budgets.
The company introduced MacBook Neo as the most affordable MacBook yet while updating the Air and Pro models with faster chips and improved storage options.
MacBook Neo
MacBook Neo is the most affordable MacBook Apple has released so far, 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 like browsing the web, checking email, messaging, and basic productivity.
The laptop features 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 unified memory and offers two storage options: 256GB and 512 GB.
Apple also focused on design and accessibility with the Neo. The laptop comes in four color options including silver, blush, citrus, and indigo, which gives the device a more consumer-friendly look.
- 13-inch display
- A18 Pro chip
- 8GB unified 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 MacBook Neo are now open and the device will start shipping on March 11.
M5 MacBook Air
Apple also refreshed the MacBook Air with the new M5 chip, which brings improved performance compared with 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 introduces stronger graphics performance thanks to added Neural Accelerators, while Apple also improved SSD speeds, which now run up to twice as fast compared with the previous generation.
The updated MacBook Air also receives Apple’s new N1 wireless chip that supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity. 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
- Faster SSD speeds
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
- Up to 18 hours of battery life
Despite the price increase from last year’s model, MacBook Air remains Apple’s most popular laptop and continues to serve users who need a balance between portability and performance.
MacBook Pro (M5 Pro and M5 Max)
At the top of the lineup, Apple expanded the MacBook Pro family with new M5 Pro and M5 Max processors for the 14-inch and 16-inch models. The base price starts at $2,199 for the entry configuration.
Apple says the new chips include advanced super cores that deliver some of the fastest CPU performance available in a laptop. These models also increase base storage to 1TB for M5 Pro configurations and 2TB for M5 Max systems.
The MacBook Pro continues to target professionals who work with demanding 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 sustained performance
- HDMI and additional Thunderbolt ports
- Higher memory and storage options
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
Battery life also improves slightly on M5 Max models compared with the previous generation, while M5 Pro models maintain similar endurance to the earlier M4 version.
Apple’s latest MacBook announcements create a clearer structure for its laptop lineup. MacBook Neo targets new Mac users and budget buyers, MacBook Air focuses on everyday productivity, and MacBook Pro continues to handle professional-level workloads.
