Apple’s torrent of hardware announcements last week culminated with the MacBook Neo, and Julio Ojeda-Zapata and Adam Engst analyze how the new laptop’s compromises enable it to become Apple’s most affordable laptop yet. Adam also covers the compelling updates to the MacBook Air, which now features the M5 chip, and the MacBook Pro, where the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips debut. In display news, Apple refreshed its $1599 Studio Display with an improved camera and Thunderbolt 5, and unveiled the $3299 Studio Display XDR for creative professionals. On the software side, Adam notes that ΟS 26.3.1 adds support for the new displays but otherwise lacks urgency, and explains how iOS 18.7.6 extends the Australian emergency calling fix to older iPhone models. Notable Mac app releases this week include BusyContacts 2026.1.2, Modern CSV 2.3.1, Timing 2026.2, and Unite Pro 1.0.
The 26.3.1 updates for macOS Tahoe, iOS, and iPadOS add support for the new Studio Display models and fix a few bugs, while visionOS 26.3.1 fixes a flicker issue in the Apple TV app.
Apple’s release notes for iOS 18.7.6 simply say “bug fixes,” but the Australian support page tells a different story: the update fixes a Telstra network issue that could interfere with emergency services calls on certain older iPhones.
Apple has updated the MacBook Air with the new M5 chip, doubled base-level storage, and faster SSDs, while the MacBook Pro gains the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips along with the same doubled base-level storage and faster SSDs.
Apple has refreshed its Studio Display with minor improvements and introduced the Studio Display XDR at $3299. The XDR brings mini-LED technology and HDR capabilities from the $5000 Pro Display XDR to a 27-inch 5K display, making professional display technology accessible to more users.
With the MacBook Neo, Apple has introduced an entry-level laptop to complement its MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines. In an attempt to wrest market share from Windows and Chromebook competitors, the MacBook Neo makes numerous small compromises that bring the price down to $599, making it the most affordable Mac laptop ever.
Watchlist
Brings an assortment of major performance and user interface improvements to the calendar app. ($49.99 new, free update, 44.1 MB, macOS 12+)
Maintenance update with bug fixes for the CSV manipulation app. ($Free/$39/$59, free update, 27.2 MB, macOS 11+)
Time and productivity tracking app adds integration with the Linear planning tool. ($108/$132/$192 annual subscriptions, free update, 33.8 MB, macOS 11+)
Complete rewrite of the site-specific browser that turns websites into full-featured apps. ($39.99 new, free update, 33.9 MB, macOS 15+)
