Apple's March 4, 2026 event in New York may unveil an affordable MacBook with A18 Pro chip, M5-powered MacBooks, and new iPads with Apple Intelligence.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple has officially sent out invitations for a special event scheduled for March 4, 2026, in New York. The company is calling it "Special Apple Experience," a name that suggests the format will differ from the usual online presentations. This is expected to be a closed-door press event featuring live demonstrations of new devices. Similar gatherings are also planned for Shanghai and London.
The unusual positioning of this event has sparked a wave of rumors about a major announcement. One of the top contenders for a debut is a new affordable MacBook. According to insider reports, it could run on the A18 Pro chip—the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro. This 13-inch model is rumored to be priced below $1,000, potentially competing with MacBook Air models based on M-series chips. The device is also said to retain an aluminum chassis and offer vibrant color options.
Beyond the budget laptop, analysts aren't ruling out updates to existing lineups. Among the expected releases are a MacBook Air with the M5 chip, as well as professional MacBook Pro models featuring M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. There's also talk of a possible Studio Display refresh, which could bring a higher refresh rate of 90 Hz and an improved panel.
On the mobile front, Apple might introduce a base iPad equipped with the A18 chip, marking the first time this model would support Apple Intelligence features. An updated iPad Air with a new processor is also in the cards. While the company hasn't revealed details, the scale of the event and the choice of cities hint at a significant launch for the ecosystem.