Apple could sell 4-5M MacBook Neo machines this year, says TrendForce
I earlier estimated that Apple would sell gazillions of MacBook Neo machines. TrendForce is now out with a slightly more formal estimate of four to five million units this year. The market intelligence company also notes that Apple is headed in the opposite direction to most of its competitors … more…

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Videographers obviously shouldn’t buy the MacBook Neo – nor should photographers
I’ve just argued that the MacBook Neo offers phenomenal value for money and is the machine I expect to recommend to a great many people. However, it of course won’t be suitable for everyone. I think a quick glance at the specs would rapidly rule it out for videographers, but there is one compromise that means it’s not a good choice for photographers either … more…

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Grading Apple's release week – MacBook Pro, Air, Neo, and more!
Apple's week of launches has seen it update its iPhones, MacBooks, iPads, and displays, but only some updates are stand-outs while the rest are trivial.Apple's physical multi-color logo, in New York City on March 4, 2026It's true that Apple has announced a week of launches. There currently still two days left to go.Based on past experience, and the fact that on Wednesday, Apple hosted creators including our own Andrew O'Hara, Apple has probably now wrapped that up. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The MacBook Neo is built down to a price – but is phenomenal value
If there was one product that cemented the myth of the “Apple tax” – the supposedly excessive price premium paid for the logo – it was the MacBook Air. People would point to Apple’s cheapest laptop costing $1,000 and loudly proclaim that you could buy a Windows machine or Chromebook from around $300. The comparison was of course spurious. The cheap laptops being used to make the argument were ugly plastic things with exceedingly poor specs compared to the MacBook Air. Still, it was undeniable that a four-figure starting price did prove a barrier to a lot of people – but all that has changed with the MacBook Neo … more…

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MacBook Neo’s missing features ranked, from meh to ehhh
Macworld With the introduction of the MacBook Neo, Apple has finally done what many thought it never would: ship a truly budget Mac laptop. At $599, the MacBook Neo becomes the cheapest Mac you can buy and undercuts the cheapest MacBook Air by a wide margin. But to achieve this price point, the MacBook Neo comes with some compromises. Apple had to cut back on several long-standing features and technologies to keep this Mac so affordable, but do they really matter? Here are all the MacBook Neo’s missing features compared to the MacBook Air—ranked from least to most important. 11. Wide color gamut display For a long time now, pretty much every Apple device has supported the P3 wide color gamut, which is a color standard for displays that allows for richer reds and greens, resulting in more vivid and accurate colors for showing photos and videos. However, the MacBook Neo sticks with the sRGB color standard.  While having a display with more accurate colors is extremely important for photographers, designers, and video editors, most everyday users probably won’t notice the difference. The vast majority of web content is optimized for sRGB anyway. At this price, it’s not shocking. But it does mark a clear visual step down from the MacBook Air. Notably, the entry-level iPad also lacks a DCI-P3 display. 10. True Tone True Tone adjusts the display’s white balance based on ambient lighting, making the screen appear more natural in different environments. iPhones, Macs, and iPads have had it for years, but the Neo doesn’t. Given that True Tone is an optional feature and divides opinion among users, some people probably won’t even notice that it’s not there. The display will still look good, and users who really care about True Tone can manually calibrate the display colors to match their environment. The MacBook Neo has a very nice display, but it’s missing some key features of its higher-end sibling.Michael Simon / Foundry 9. Center Stage While the MacBook Neo comes with a built-in 1080p webcam, it lacks some of the features available on more modern MacBooks. This includes Center Stage, which uses an ultra-wide sensor to automatically reframe the image, keeping people always centered during video calls. If you frequently use your laptop for video calls, you’ll probably miss Center Stage. But you can still get the feature by using your iPhone as a webcam with Continuity Camera or by setting up an external webcam that has it. It’s not a huge deal—and the Neo will certainly be better for FaceTime calls than holding an iPad. 8. Wi-Fi 7 While the latest MacBook Air and Pro are equipped with Wi-Fi 7, the MacBook Neo still relies on the older Wi-Fi 6E standard.  Wi-Fi 7 is a significant upgrade from Wi-Fi 6E, offering up to 3x faster speeds and double the channel bandwidth. This means that Wi-Fi 7 is not only faster but also less susceptible to signal interference. However, given that Wi-Fi 7 is a relatively new standard and many people don’t even have routers that support it, users probably won’t notice the difference when using Wi-Fi 6E. It’s more like something that would make this Mac a little more future-proof. 7. Ambient light sensor Most Apple devices use an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust screen brightness based on surrounding conditions. However, according to the MacBook Neo spec sheet, this sensor isn’t present. Manual brightness control still works, of course. But automatic adjustments may be less precise or responsive. It’s not the end of the world, but it can annoy users who are constantly moving between different environments. The MacBook Neo’s trackpad actually clicks–it doesn’t have Force Touch tech.Michael Simon / Foundry 6. Force Touch trackpad Apple’s Force Touch trackpads use haptic feedback and pressure sensitivity to simulate clicking and enable deeper press gestures. This technology has become one of the key features not only of MacBooks, but also of the Magic Keyboard on the iPad Pro. However, the MacBook Neo has a mechanical multi-touch trackpad without pressure detection. For many users, this won’t change their regular use. Tap-to-click and gesture navigation still work, and the entire trackpad is clikcable unlike some similarly-priced Windows PCs. But the loss of haptic click feedback makes this machine feel less premium, and it removes certain pressure-based shortcuts in macOS.  Its absence will certainly be more noticeable if you’re coming from a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. But you can always pair it with a standalone Magic Trackpad 5. Backlit keyboard One of the main weaknesses of the MacBook Neo that will ultimately affect many users is the loss of backlit keys. While all modern MacBooks have backlit keyboards that allow users to see the keys in the dark, this is not the case with the Neo. The keyboard on the MacBook Neo looks a lot more like Apple’s wireless Magic Keyboard, which has engraved keys and no LEDs. This can make it a litle difficult to type in the dark, if that’s something you do often. For a laptop in 2026, that’s a glaring omission. Even many budget Windows laptops include keyboard backlighting. You get pretty colors with the MacBook Neo—but it could be tricky to use in the dark without a backlit keyboard.Michael Simon / Foundry 4. RAM upgrades The MacBook Neo ships with 8GB of unified memory, and that’s it. You can’t upgrade the RAM, not even at the time of purchase, like you can with a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. It’s been a while since 16GB became the industry standard for PCs, but Apple only upgraded its entry-level laptops to 16GB a couple of years ago. Sure, 8GB is fine for light tasks like web browsing, opening documents, and streaming, but don’t expect the MacBook Neo to handle heavier apps like Final Cut Pro or even Xcode well. The bigger concert isn’t just performance, it’s longevity. Without a 16GB option, the first-generation MacBook Neo may become outdated sooner than you might expect, especially with apps and even macOS increasingly relying on AI-based tasks, which demand a lot of RAM. 3. Neural Accelerators Speaking of AI, the MacBook Neo’d processor also lacks Neural Accelerators, which have become a staple feature of the M5 and A19 Pro chips. This technology, built directly into the GPU, enables much higher performance for processing AI tasks locally. For basic AI features in macOS and Apple Intelligence, it should perform well. But sustained creative tasks such as video encoding, large-scale photo processing, or complex ML workloads won’t match even entry-level M-series Macs. This won’t be an issue for this Mac’s target audience, but it could be a deal-breaker if you rely on heavy AI tasks in your workflow. You only get one USB 3.1 port on the MacBook Neo.Michael Simon / Foundry 2. High-speed ports The MacBook Neo includes two USB-C ports, but there’s a catch. Only one of the ports supports the modern USB 3.1 standard, while the other is limited to USB 2.0 speeds. While the faster port can deliver up to 10Gbps of data, the other only reaches up to 480Mbps. USB 2.0 is fine for plugging in a charger or using basic accessories such as headphones, but it makes file transfers extremely slow, especially if you have an external SSD. It also limits this Mac to a single external monitor. Also, the Neo lacks MagSafe, so inevitably one of the USB-C ports will remain busy when the Mac is plugged into the charger. Again, it’s not a big deal for casual users, but you might want to buy a dongle for this Mac. 1. Touch ID Finally, what consumers should probably keep in mind when buying a MacBook Neo is that the $599 model doesn’t have built-in Touch ID. The biometric sensor for unlocking your Mac and confirming purchases with your fingerprint is only available if you purchase the MacBook Neo with 512GB of storage for $699. The 256GB version replaces Touch ID with a simple button to lock or wake your Mac, so you’ll need to type in passwords when you want to log in or use your iPhone to complete an Apple Pay purchase. This is easily the biggest limitation for people who want the cheapest MacBook possible. An all-new laptop at a great price While some expected the MacBook Neo to be a stripped-down version of the MacBook Air, it’s actually a whole new category of MacBook, designed specifically for its price point. Most of the missing features such as wide color, True Tone, and Center Stage are luxuries. Others, like backlighting and Touch ID, could impact daily usability more directly, while the USB limitation could represent a meaningful constraint on performance. Still, this Mac is aimed at students, first-time Mac buyers, and users who primarily just want a laptop for basic web browsing. For these people, the Neo delivers exactly what it promises: a capable and more affordable Mac. And if you feel like you need more, there’s still the M5 MacBook Air with all these premium features and much more.

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Apple’s long, strange trip to the MacBook Neo
Macworld In late 2008, Steve Jobs hopped on the company’s quarterly phone call with analysts and, besieged by questions about Apple being threatened by low-cost PC laptops called “netbooks,” he explained how Apple approached its product decision. “We don’t know how to make a $500 computer that’s not a piece of junk,” he said. It took Apple nearly 18 years to figure it out, but here we are. The announcement of the $599 MacBook Neo ($499 for education buyers!) is the low-cost laptop Mac users have been wondering about for years. But there are plenty of reasons it took this long. Laptop dreams In the early days of laptops, they were flat-out expensive. Apple’s PowerBooks were great, but you had to pay a premium to get a portable Mac made out of miniaturized parts. And even then, the laptops were generally slower than their desktop equivalents. Apple’s first budget laptop was the iBook. It was $1,600.Apple As a graduate student in 1992, I bought a PowerBook 160 to replace my Mac SE. It cost $2,400, equivalent to more than $5,000 today. I loved that thing, and I did end up using it for years in all sorts of places, even writing stories while riding BART trains through the Bay Area. The high cost of Mac laptops meant that even lower-end models were aimed more at a professional audience, the equivalent of today’s MacBook Pros. It was only when Steve Jobs returned to Apple and drew his famous four-quarter product grid that things got really interesting. That grid separated the Mac into four product categories, divided by audience (pro, consumer) and type (desktop, laptop). The pro desktop was the Power Mac. The consumer desktop was the iMac. The pro laptop was the PowerBook. So what was the consumer laptop?? Jobs smiled and moved right along with his presentation. Only later, at Macworld Expo in 1999, did Jobs unveil his consumer laptop: the iBook. It cost $1,600, which was better than what I had paid for my PowerBook, at least! The original iBooks were aggressive with color–you could get them in tangerine and blueberry, and later in indigo and key lime. They were also big, weirdly shaped, and (in my opinion) completely adorable. I bought one for my mom. But if you look at it objectively, it’s hard not to label the original iBook a failure. Not only did Apple replace it with a much more conventionally-shaped iBook just two years later, but it came only in white, ending the era of truly colorful Mac laptops forever. (Until now!) That iBook started at $1,299, a record low for a Mac laptop. The MacBook Air was never really cheap, but it sold like it was.Jason Cross/Foundry With the Intel transition, the iBook became the MacBook, and it was a perennial favorite of Mac users, especially students. But in the 2010s, it faded away, replaced in our hearts by the MacBook Air, which transformed from a pricey ultraportable into the heart of Apple’s affordable laptop line. After a shaky few years in the mid-2010s–Apple stopped updating the Air and released a Retina MacBook that was overpriced and underpowered–the Air finally got a Retina display and, a few years later, went into overdrive with the release of the M1 MacBook Air. In the 2020s, the Air has settled into the sweet spot in Apple’s product lineup. Starting at $999 or $1,099 for most of the modern era, it’s become the top-selling Mac. And yet… while $999 is a far cry from what I paid for my first PowerBook, it’s also not that close to the $500 laptop Jobs said Apple couldn’t build. Which left some room down there for another laptop, if Apple could swing it. The Neo era? This brings us back to the MacBook Neo. It’s got colors not seen since the original iBook (including one of the original colors, indigo), but its styling is pure 2020s Apple. The MacBook Neo will remind longtime Mac users of the iBook colors.Michael Simon / Foundry What has changed since 2008, when Jobs said Apple couldn’t make a $500 laptop that wasn’t junk? So much. But in particular, Apple has become incredibly efficient with its manufacturing techniques, including being perhaps one of the companies with the most knowledge of how to shape aluminum to its will. For me, though, the final catalyst is Apple silicon. One of the reasons the original MacBook Air and the mid-2010s Retina MacBook failed is because they were sorely underpowered. Apple’s chips were designed to work in small portable devices like iPhones, and it turned out that they translated perfectly to the Mac. Today’s iPhone chips are so capable, they’re as fast as the M1 was a few years ago. And so Apple saw an opening: there was room for a Mac laptop to exist, powered not by an M-series chip, but by a chip designed to power an iPhone. That’s one of the reasons the MacBook Neo can exist at a price no Mac laptop has come close to before.

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Unleash the full power of your iPad with ESR
Macworld The iPad is more than a tablet—it’s a portable office, creative studio, and entertainment hub. With the right accessories, it becomes even more powerful. ESR, a global tech brand trusted by over 130 million users worldwide, designs smart accessories that integrate seamlessly into daily life—boosting productivity while delivering serious protection. Here’s how ESR helps you unlock more from your iPad. iPad Productivity: Work smarter, create freely ESR Shift Keyboard Case (Detachable) ESR At the heart of iPad productivity is flexibility—and the ESR Shift Keyboard Case (Detachable) delivers exactly that. Its secure magnetic detachable design lets you instantly switch between laptop-style typing and a streamlined tablet mode for reading, drawing, or gaming. Whether you’re reading, watching, sketching, or gaming, you can switch modes effortlessly. Unlike fixed keyboard designs, this setup lets you detach into single-case mode for total freedom. The Bluetooth keyboard works independently, allowing you to position your keyboard and iPad separately for maximum comfort. Adjustable angles support every task: 20°–75° landscape mode for work and entertainment 70° portrait mode for browsing 20° drawing mode for stable, secure and comfortable sketching The 100% clickable edge-to-edge trackpad (4.4 × 2.8 in) supports intuitive multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom and three-finger swipe. Despite its functionality, it’s ultra-thin (7.2 mm) and lightweight—about 20% lighter than many alternatives. Reinforced Air Guard corners add dependable protection. For extra flexibility and choice there are two secure Pencil storage options: a magnetic holder and an easy-access elastic pouch. View ESR Shift Keyboard Case on Amazon View ESR Shift Keyboard Case at ESR Compatible with: iPad Air 4/5/Air 11 inch(2024/2025/2026); iPad Air 13 inch(2024/2025/2026); iPad 10/11(A16)/12(A19)iPad Pro 11 inch 2024/2025; iPad Pro 13 inch 2024/2025 ESR Flex Keyboard Case (Detachable) ESR The 6.9mm thick Flex is another iPad keyboard case with a protective yet productive magnetic detachable design and large precision trackpad that enables the user to switch between their iPad and Mac for a seamless workflow. The two stable viewing angles are a 65° angle for working, watching, or reading, and a 20° angle for sketching or writing. Both angles provide a firm and stable setup for comfortable viewing and use. View ESR Flex Keyboard Case on Amazon View ESR Flex Keyboard Case at ESR Compatible with: iPad Air 4/5/Air 11 inch(2024/2025/2026); iPad 10/11(A16)/12(A19); iPad Pro 13 inch 2024/2025 ESR Geo Digital Pencil ESR The ESR Geo Digital Pencil brings precision to notes and artwork with palm rejection, tilt sensitivity, and a fine tip for detailed strokes. Adjust line thickness naturally by tilting the nib—perfect for shading and sketching. Built-in Apple Find My compatibility helps you quickly locate the stylus with sound alerts—unlike Apple’s official Pencil. A Bluetooth connection enables iPad shortcut buttons for seamless iPad interaction and real-time battery monitoring. A 20-minute USB-C charge provides up to 12 hours of use. Compatible with iPads released after 2018, it’s a reliable tool for students and creators alike. View ESR Geo Digital Pencil on Amazon View ESR Geo Digital Pencil at ESR Compatible with: All iPad models 2018 and later iPad Protection: Confidence in every environment ESR Shift Magnetic Case ESR The ESR Shift Magnetic Case features a strong magnetic connection that ensures a secure and stable stand across different surfaces such as desks, sofas or laps—improving usability and convenience during everyday use. It offers five practical modes: viewing, browsing, typing, gaming, and writing. Dual support brackets and magnetic grooves provide up to nine adjustable angles. Portrait mode is ideal for FaceTime, and the detachable back case allows full hands-on access. It can even attach magnetically to your fridge for convenient viewing. View ESR Shift Magnetic Case on Amazon View ESR Shift Magnetic Case at ESR Compatible with: iPad Air 4/5/Air 11 inch(2024/2025/2026); iPad Air 13 inch(2024/2025/2026); iPad 10/11(A16)/12(A19)iPad Pro 11 inch 2024/2025; iPad Pro 13 inch 2024/2025 ESR Flip Magnetic Case (Pencil Holder) ESR The ESR Flip Magnetic Case (Pencil Holder) supports both creativity and protection. Two standing modes—45°–60° for viewing and 25° for writing—adapt to work or entertainment. Its folding triangular structure makes vertical browsing effortless. A secure Pencil slot allows easy storage and charging, while the dual-layer design delivers 360° protection against scratches and bumps. View ESR Flip Magnetic Case on Amazon View ESR Flip Magnetic Case at ESR Compatible with: iPad Air 4/5/Air 11 inch (2024/2025/2026); iPad Air 13 inch(2024/2025/2026); iPad 10/11(A16)/12(A19) ESR UltraFit Armorite Screen Protectors ESR ESR screen protectors ship with an UltraFit Tray and dust-removal strip for a simple-to-install, fast bubble-free finish. The ESR UltraFit Armorite Screen Protector features Armorite technology with 7x the impact absorption of standard protectors. High-alumina tempered glass withstands up to 110 lb of pressure and offers 9H scratch resistance. At 0.33 mm thin, it preserves clarity, responsiveness, and full Pencil support. View ESR UltraFit Armorite Screen Protector on Amazon View ESR UltraFit Armorite Screen Protector at ESR ESR For creators who prefer texture, the ESR UltraFit Armorite Paper-Feel Screen Protector (Tempered Glass) combines durability with a natural writing feel and drawing experience. It is made with premium PET material and uniform micro-grit surface, therefore offering a paper-like texture as well as tough screen protection. The ultra-thin design preserves precise touch sensitivity, enabling smooth and controlled strokes that are ideal for stylus use. Offering 5x impact absorption, it features a matte, anti-glare surface ideal for outdoor use while minimizing Pencil tip wear. View ESR UltraFit Armorite Paper-Feel Screen Protector on Amazon View ESR UltraFit Armorite Paper-Feel Screen Protector at ESR Compatible with: iPad Air 4/5/Air 11 inch(2024/2025/2026); iPad Air 13 inch(2024/2025/2026); iPad 10/11(A16)/12(A19)iPad Pro 11 inch 2024/2025; iPad Pro 13 inch 2024/2025 With ESR’s ecosystem of productivity tools and protective solutions, your iPad becomes more capable, more versatile, and built to handle everyday demands—wherever you go.

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Own Microsoft Office for Mac forever for just $60, no subscription required
Macworld TL;DR: Save on Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac with this lifetime license, available now for $59.97 (reg. $219.00). If you’re still handing over cash to Microsoft every month for a 365 subscription, it’s time to stop. Right now, you can grab a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac for just $59.97, a one-time payment that gets you permanent access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote on your Mac. There are no renewals, no recurring charges, and no surprises. The license ties to your Microsoft account (not your device), delivers instantly via email, and is fully compatible with macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, and the latest Tahoe. It installs just like any official Microsoft app, so setup takes minutes. This deal is rated an impressive 4.8/5-stars on average from over 730 reviews. One recent five-star review reads, “Operates as intended, and very pleased with the ease to purchase this product license through Stack Social.” For home users and small business owners who just want reliable, familiar tools without an ongoing bill, this is about as straightforward as it gets. Get this Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac license for $59.97 (reg. $219.00) today. Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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French thriller series ‘The Hunt’ premieres on Apple TV after three-month delay
Following a last-minute delay due to reported allegations of plagiarism, French drama The Hunt was released on Apple TV this Wednesday. Here are the details. more…

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Feds call Anthropic supply-chain risk, tech companies aren't happy about it
A group that includes Apple, Google, and others has sent a letter to the US Department of Defense concerning Anthropic's supply-chain risk designation, clearly concerned about how that might affect future tech contracts.The tech industry could be affected by arbitrary use of supply-chain risk designationsAnthropic took a moral stand against the United States government's request for unrestricted access to AI tools. The Trump administration retaliated by ordering all government entities to stop using Claude and designated the company as a supply-chain risk.The designation is usually reserved for foreign national entities that pose a threat to United States infrastructure. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 review: ideal desk lighting for nearly any situation
BenQ is back with the ScreenBar Halo 2 to light up your workspace with not just one but two highly customizable light sources.BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 I got my first BenQ ScreenBar all the way back in February of 2020. While I thought it was somewhat novel, I told myself, "Surely this isn't going to be something I use regularly."I didn't like the utilitarian aesthetic, and I'd spent years illuminated only by my monitor. Was there ever going to be a real reason that I'd need to have a light attached directly to my monitor? Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Industry group representing Apple voices concern to Pentagon over Anthropic ban
The Information Technology Industry Council, whose members ​include Apple, sent a letter to the Pentagon addressing Anthropic’s designation as a “supply chain risk.” Here are the details. more…

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MacBook Neo name chosen to reflect its 'fun, friendly, and fresh' look
An interview reveals Apple's approach with MacBook Neo was a complete rethink of a budget-friendly laptop, not simply rehashing old tech at a lower price.The MacBook Neo is a new budget-friendly productThe MacBook Neo is a brand new category in the lineup that has a new-to-Apple moniker to go with it. It's not just a new laptop, but a new market for the premium product seller.According to an interview with Director of Mac Product Marketing, Colleen Novielli conducted by Techradar, the MacBook Neo is meant to be competitive in the $599 price range. It brings Apple's attention to detail and premium materials to a product nearly half the price of the MacBook Air. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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AI content in Apple Music can now be labeled, if distributors so choose
AI-generated content in the Apple Music app can now be more easily spotted, but only if record labels and distributors actually label it as such.Apple Music now has optional AI-disclosure tags for distributors and record labels.Apple continues to enhance the iPhone's built-in Music application, with Apple Intelligence features such as Playlist Playground set to make their way to end users as part of the iOS 26.4 update.Now, the company has implemented an additional AI-related safeguard, referred to as Transparency Tags. They're essentially disclosure labels that let music distributors and record labels indicate specific content was made with the help of artificial intelligence. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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MacBook Neo will warn you if you plug a display into the wrong USB-C port
MacBook Neo is a great laptop for users who almost never use an external display. If you do connect MacBook Neo to a monitor, there are a couple of things to know. more…

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Don’t underestimate it: MacBook Neo packs surprising performance
Apple’s decision to put an A-series chip in the new MacBook Neo raised more than a few eyebrows. And doubts about its performance. But a comparison of the performance offered by the A18 Pro in Apple’s new notebook with Apple’s previous Mac processors shows that it’s surprisingly powerful, despite the processor originally being intended for […] (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple Music introduces metadata tags to disclose AI-generated content
Today, Apple introduced new metadata tags that will let record labels and distributors disclose when artificial intelligence was used in the creation of music, artwork, and more. Here are the details. more…

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Walmart will continue selling Macs after proving market for MacBook Neo
Walmart is staying in the business of selling Macs, with the retailer officially selling the $599 MacBook Neo. That’s no surprise since Apple basically used Walmart as the proving ground for a lower-cost Mac laptop without the fastest processor. more…

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Apple’s MacBook Neo offers premium build quality at a remarkably lower price
Apple has previously offered more affordable products, such as the $329 and $349 iPad models as well as the former $429 iPhone SE… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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MacBook Neo isn’t the MacBook Air killer you might think
The MacBook Neo is Apple’s newest low-end MacBook, but there are still plenty of reasons to buy Apple’s midrange laptop. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple’s new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR have two different chips
Apple’s new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR have a lot of differences, but we can now add one more to the list: they come with different A19 chips. more…

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Billy Zane lands recurring role in Apple TV’s golf comedy ‘Stick’
The Titanic and Twin Peaks actor will join Stick as a recurring cast member for season 2. Here are the details. more…

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Why MacBook Neo is Apple’s best new model for most people
It’s only March, but Apple has already launched eight new products this year, including seven just this week. And the most exciting of the bunch is the MacBook Neo. more…

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MacBook Neo vs M5 MacBook Air: Budget notebooks compared
The MacBook Neo is Apple's new lowest-cost MacBook, taking the role from the MacBook Air. Here's where the differences are looking at the spec sheets of the the two least-expensive MacBook lines.MacBook Neo [left], M5 MacBook Air [right]Early March has seen Apple launch two new value-focused MacBook options for consumers on a budget. Built to reduce the entry cost as much as possible, it's an unusual model that uses Apple Silicon still, but a chip designed for the iPhone and iPad.This is a big shake-up in Apple's pricing strategy. It that replaces the MacBook Air as the entry-level MacBook option, which it has served as for quite a few years. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Thoughts and Observations on the MacBook Neo
The MacBook Neo is the first major new Mac aimed at the consumer market in the Apple Silicon era. It’s meant to make a dent — perhaps a minuscule dent in the universe, but a big dent in the Mac’s share of the overall PC market.

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Thoughts and Observations on the MacBook Neo
The MacBook Neo is the first major new Mac aimed at the consumer market in the Apple Silicon era. It’s meant to make a dent — perhaps a minuscule dent in the universe, but a big dent in the Mac’s share of the overall PC market.

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Thoughts and Observations on the MacBook Neo
The MacBook Neo is the first major new Mac aimed at the consumer market in the Apple Silicon era. It’s meant to make a dent — perhaps a minuscule dent in the universe, but a big dent in the Mac’s share of the overall PC market.

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Thoughts and Observations on the MacBook Neo
The MacBook Neo is the first major new Mac aimed at the consumer market in the Apple Silicon era. It’s meant to make a dent — perhaps a minuscule dent in the universe, but a big dent in the Mac’s share of the overall PC market.

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Apple has one more release this week: OS 26.3.1 is here
Macworld With the upcoming launch of the new Studio Display (2026 model) and Studio Display XDR dropping next week, Apple wants to make sure all your devices are ready. So on Wednesday, it released OS 26.3.1 for iPhones, iPads, Macs strictly so they will be. iOS/iPadOS/macOS 26.3.1 adds support for these new displays, in addition to various fixes. The release notes are one line: “This update expands external display support to include Studio Display (2026) and Studio Display XDR, along with bug fixes for your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.” We’re not sure anyone would be a $1,599 display for their iPhone, but in case you didn’t know, you can plug a USB-C-equipped iPhone directly into a Studio Display to mirror your iPhone’s display on the monitor. It also gives your iPhone a connection to other peripherals that may be plugged into your Studio Display, such as a USB-C keyboard. Apple’s security site simply says, “This update has no published CVE entries,” so it’s likely that there are no security updates in this release. iOS 26.3.1: How to install Your iPhone will eventually prompt you to install iOS 26.3.1, but that can take a while, even if you have “Automatic Updates” turned on. To get it now, follow these steps: Open Settings. Tap General. Tap Software Update. Make sure you have the intended version of iOS selected if necessary, and follow the on-screen instructions. Find out everything you need to know about iOS 26 in our iOS 26 superguide.

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The toughest MacBook Neo decision is a $100 button
Macworld Apple’s new MacBook Neo is an eye-catching $599/£599, but to reach that price point, Apple had to make numerous compromises and sacrifices. One of the key features that’s missing ont he entry-level $599 model is Touch ID, Apple’s fingerprint biometric system that was introduced with the iPhone 5s way back in 2013. However, it is available if you’re willing to pay a little more: it’s available on the $699 model with 512GB of storage. At this price scale, $100 is a lot, representing a 17 percent price jump. So for buyers, it’s not a trivial consideration. Does $699 still make it a budget laptop? Sure, but the increase is enough to make customers pause and really think about whether Touch ID is worth it. In case you’re unfamiliar with how Touch ID works on a Mac, there’s a small circular sensor in the top right corner of the keyboard. When your Mac is locked, you can use Touch ID to gain access instead of typing a password. And this follows throughout the whole Mac experience: In almost every instance where you need to type in a password, you can use Touch ID instead. For example, if you’re logging into an account online, you’ll can use Touch ID to automatically fill in your password but also keep people who aren’t you locked out. Touch ID as a security feature is quite valuable–an overlooked aspect because its focus is convenience. The act of typing usernames and passwords doesn’t take much effort, but Touch ID manages to whittle down that task to a simple button. And with passkeys, it’s become even stronger as sites begin to do away with passwords completely. If you access a lot of web-based tools and services, you’ll end up using Touch ID several times a day. Touch ID saves time and headaches.Foundry This convenience aspect of Touch ID is what I value the most; it improves my Mac experience. I actually get a sense of dread when I run into an instance where I can’t use it and have to type–third-party developers have to write Touch ID support into their apps, and sometimes they don’t. I could see myself in six months of MacBook Neo use without Touch ID and regretting my decision. The $100 is worth it to me. On the bright side, the $100 upgrade also includes a 512GB SSD that replaces the 256GB SSD. So you also have twice the space to store your files. That softens the blow, but the bottom line is MacBook Neo buyers have to decide whether to spend $100 on a button. For my money, it is.

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Mac Gaming Guide: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Get the Best Experience
Mac gaming is in a better place than it used to be — but it’s not “anything a PC can do, a Mac can do.” Some games run beautifully on modern Macs, especially Apple Silicon models. Others still don’t show up on macOS at all, or they run with limitations. This guide is here to […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

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Who is the Kimwolf Botmaster “Dort”?
In early January 2026, KrebsOnSecurity revealed how a security researcher disclosed a vulnerability that was used to assemble Kimwolf, the world's largest and most disruptive botnet. Since then, the person in control of Kimwolf -- who goes by the handle "Dort" -- has coordinated a barrage of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS), doxing and email flooding attacks against the researcher and this author, and more recently caused a SWAT team to be sent to the researcher's home. This post examines what is knowable about Dort based on public information.

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‘Starkiller’ Phishing Service Proxies Real Login Pages, MFA
Most phishing websites are little more than static copies of login pages for popular online destinations, and they are often quickly taken down by anti-abuse activists and security firms. But a stealthy new phishing-as-a-service offering lets customers sidestep both of these pitfalls: It uses cleverly disguised links to load the target brand's real website, and then acts as a relay between the target and the legitimate site -- forwarding the victim's username, password and multi-factor authentication (MFA) code to the legitimate site and returning its responses.

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Unpacking the New “Matryoshka” ClickFix Variant: Typosquatting Campaign Delivers macOS Stealer
Executive Summary Intego Antivirus Labs is tracking an evolution of the “ClickFix” social engineering campaign targeting macOS users. Dubbed Matryoshka due to its nested obfuscation layers, this variant uses a fake installation/fix flow to trick victims into executing a malicious Terminal command. While the ClickFix tactic is not new, this campaign introduces stronger evasion techniques […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

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Kimwolf Botnet Swamps Anonymity Network I2P
For the past week, the massive "Internet of Things" (IoT) botnet known as Kimwolf has been disrupting the The Invisible Internet Project (I2P), a decentralized, encrypted communications network designed to anonymize and secure online communications. I2P users started reporting disruptions in the network around the same time the Kimwolf botmasters began relying on it to evade takedown attempts against the botnet's control servers.

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Patch Tuesday, February 2026 Edition
Microsoft today released updates to fix more than 50 security holes in its Windows operating systems and other software, including patches for a whopping six "zero-day" vulnerabilities that attackers are already exploiting in the wild.

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Guess what? Walmart and Target are selling the MacBook Neo on their online stores
Walmart and Target are selling new macOS products on their online stores for the first time. Walmart had previously sold clearance 13" M1 MacBook Airs, but this is the first time either store is selling a brand new macOS product. You can preorder any new 256GB or 512GB MacBook Neo today, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). Apple's official release date for the Neo is on March 11th: - MacBook Neo at Walmart - MacBook Neo at Target For the latest sales and deals, see our new MacBook Neo Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Price Drop! Take $100-$300 off clearance 15-inch M4 MacBook Airs
Amazon has clearance 15" M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $100-$300 off Apple's original MSRP. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1099, $100 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1199, $200 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB/): $1299, $300 off These are the lowest clearance 15" M4 MacBook Air prices currently available at Apple retailers. For the latest sales & prices see our 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Price Drop! Take $100-$200 off clearance 13-inch M4 MacBook Airs
Amazon has clearance 13" M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $100-$200 off Apple's original MSRP. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $899, $100 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $999, $200 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1199, $200 off These are the lowest clearance M4 MacBook Air prices currently available at Apple retailers. For the latest sales & prices see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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MacBook Neo Arrives at $599 — Here’s How It Compares to the New M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
Apple has expanded its laptop lineup in a big way this week, introducing the all-new MacBook Neo just one day after refreshing the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro families with next-generation M5 chips. The Neo becomes Apple’s most affordable laptop ever, starting at $599 ($499 for education), and it marks a push to bring macOS to an even broader audience. MacBook Neo features a durable aluminum enclosure weighing just 2.7 pounds and comes in four colors: blush, indigo, silver, and citrus. It has soft rounded corners and a cohesive design that extends to the Magic Keyboard and matching wallpapers. The 13-inch Liquid Retina display offers a 2408-by-1506 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, support for 1 billion colors, and an anti-reflective coating. For a laptop at this price point, the display specs are especially impressive and should make everyday tasks like browsing, writing, and streaming feel premium. Under the hood, MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip — the same class of silicon found in Apple’s high-end iPhones — scaled for the Mac. The system includes a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, enabling strong everyday performance and fast on-device AI tasks. Apple claims it is up to 50 percent faster for common tasks like web browsing compared to a Core Ultra 5 PC and up to three times faster for AI workloads. The design is fanless, meaning it runs completely silent. Battery life is rated at up to 16 hours, making it a strong all-day machine for students and casual users. The Neo includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, dual beamforming microphones, and dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support. Connectivity is simple but sufficient: two USB-C ports (both capable of charging), a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 6. It runs macOS Tahoe with built-in Apple Intelligence features and tight iPhone integration through Continuity tools like Handoff, Universal Clipboard, and iPhone Mirroring. On the downside, the Neo only provides 8GB of RAM and 500 nits of display brightness. By contrast, the newly updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are built around Apple’s next-generation M-series chips: Apple M5, Apple M5 Pro, and Apple M5 Max. These processors are significantly more powerful than A18 Pro, offering more CPU and GPU cores, greater memory bandwidth, and much stronger sustained performance. While the MacBook Air remains fanless like the Neo, it is designed for heavier multitasking and more demanding creative tasks. It also typically offers longer battery life and expanded external display support. The MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max go much further. With active cooling systems, they are built to handle prolonged high-performance workloads such as video editing, software development, 3D rendering, and advanced AI processing. The Pro lineup also features Apple’s Liquid Retina XDR displays with dramatically higher brightness, HDR support, and ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates. In addition, they offer a wider array of ports, including multiple Thunderbolt connections, HDMI, SD card slots, and MagSafe charging — features that professionals rely on daily. Ultimately, MacBook Neo is not meant to compete with the Air or Pro on raw power. Instead, it establishes a new entry point into the Mac ecosystem. For students, families, and first-time Mac buyers who primarily browse the web, stream media, write papers, and occasionally edit photos, Neo may be more than sufficient. Users who need more performance headroom or plan to grow into heavier creative workloads will still find the MacBook Air a better long-term investment. Professionals whose livelihoods depend on speed, graphics power, and advanced display technology will continue to gravitate toward the MacBook Pro lineup. With the introduction of MacBook Neo, Apple has created a clear three-tier structure: Neo for accessibility, Air for mainstream performance, and Pro for professional power. It’s a strategic move that broadens the Mac market while preserving meaningful differentiation across the lineup.

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Apple AirPods 4 on sale for $89, $40 off MSRP
Walmart has Apple AirPods 4 on sale on their online store right now for $40 off MSRP, only $89. Sale price for online orders only, in-store price may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - AirPods 4: $89, $40 off This is the lowest sale price available right now for Apple AirPods. Keep an eye on our AirPods Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals, updated daily.

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Take $100 off Apple Watch Series 11 models, prices start at $299
Walmart is offering a $100 online discount on Apple Watch Series 11 models right now. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS: $299, save $100 - 46mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS: $329, save $100 - 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + 5G: $399, save $100 - 46mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + 5G: $429, save $100 These are the lowest sale prices available for Apple Watch Series 11 models. For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.

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iPad minis on sale again starting at $399, $100 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple's 8.3" WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for minis among the Apple retailers we track: - 8.3" 128GB WiFi iPad mini: $399, $100 off MSRP - 8.3" 256GB WiFi iPad mini: $499, $100 off MSRP - 8.3" 512GB WiFi iPad mini: $699, $100 off MSRP For the latest prices and sales, see our iPad mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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M4 Mac mini on sale for $549, $50 off Apple’s MSRP
B&H Photo has the base M4 Mac mini with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage on sale for $50 off MSRP, only $549, including free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - M4 Mac mini (16GB/256GB): $549, $59 off MSRP Their price is the lowest available for a new Mac mini. For the latest prices and sales, keep an eye on our Mac mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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AirPods Max headphones back on sale for $100 off MSRP
Amazon has AirPods Max with USB-C on sale for $449.99 in most colors. Shipping is free. Their price is $100 off Apple's MSRP, and it's the lowest price available for these AirPods among the retailers we track. Keep an eye on our AirPods Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals, updated daily.

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Take $100 off every M3-powered iPad Air at Target
Target has WiFi 11-inch M3 iPad Airs and 13-inch M3 iPad Airs on sale for $100 off MSRP on their online store. Prices start at $499.99. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our iPad Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Apple’s 14-inch M5 MacBook Pros are on sale for up to $150 off MSRP, prices start at $1449
Amazon is offering 14" M5 MacBook Pro discounts ranging up to $150 off Apple's standard MSRP, each including free shipping: - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB/Black): $1449, MSRP $1599 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB/Silver): $1449, MSRP $1599 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB/Black): $1649, MSRP $1799 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB/Silver): $1692, MSRP $1799 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB/Black): $1849, MSRP $1999 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB/Silver): $1875, MSRP $1999 These are the lowest prices available for new M5 MacBook Pros right now. For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Mac mini with M4 Pro CPU on sale for $1299, $100 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon has M4 Pro Mac minis on sale for $100 off Apple's MSRP, only $1299. This model has 24GB of memory and 512GB of SSD storage. Shipping is free. Their price is the lowest currently available for this popular mini: - Mac mini M4 Pro (24GB/512GB): $1299, $100 off MSRP For the latest prices and sales, keep an eye on our Mac mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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