Apple Inc. has introduced modern updates to its MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, making both devices faster and more efficient in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
What’s New From Apple?
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Apple announced that the MacBook Air had been upgraded to its latest M5 chip, bringing it in line with the MacBook Pro, which first debuted the processor in October 2025, according to Wired. The move aligns both laptops with Apple’s newest silicon, delivering faster speeds and improved overall performance.
While the design remains unchanged, the MacBook Air now starts with 512GB of storage featuring faster SSD technology. It remains available in 13-inch and 15-inch display sizes, notes Wired.
Both models also include Apple’s N1 wireless chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for the most up-to-date connectivity. The MacBook Air continues to come standard with 16GB of RAM, with pricing starting at $1,099 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch version, reports Wired. Pricing and configurations for the MacBook Pro vary depending on screen size and specifications.
Apple Continues To Roll Out M5 Chip
Apple is also expanding its M5 chip lineup with the M5 Pro and M5 Max, now available in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, Wired reports. The upgraded configurations deliver significantly improved multicore CPU and graphics performance, the outlet notes.
“MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max redefines what’s possible on a pro laptop, now up to 4x faster than the previous generation,” John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, said in a statement.
“With Neural Accelerators in the GPU, the new MacBook Pro enables professionals to run advanced LLMs on device and unlock capabilities that no other laptop can do — all while maintaining exceptional battery life. Combined with even faster unified memory and storage, it empowers users to take their work even further, unleashing new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of what they can do,” he added.
Beyond the new chips, the latest MacBook Pro models do not include major hardware changes. The design remains largely the same as the 2021 redesign, including the same port selection, Mini-LED display, speakers, webcam, and 24-hour battery life as the M4 models introduced in late 2024, according to Wired.
All M5 Pro and M5 Max configurations of the MacBook Pro now come with double the base storage, starting at 1TB. Pricing begins at $2,199 for the 14-inch M5 Pro and $2,699 for the 16-inch model, while the M5 Max starts at $3,599, reports Wired.
After debuting in the 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro, the M5 chip has yet to reach other Macs, including the iMac, Mac Studio, and Mac mini, per Wired.
Apple Refreshes Studio Displays For The First Time In Years
Apple also refreshed its Studio Display lineup for the first time in four years, offering two new versions. Both models remain at 27 inches with 5K resolution and standard LED backlighting, but now feature an upgraded 12-megapixel camera with Desk View support, enhanced speakers with 30 percent deeper bass, and two Thunderbolt 5 ports that allow users to daisy-chain up to four displays, reports Wired.
The new Studio Display XDR replaces the 32-inch Pro Display XDR. While smaller, it adds a 120Hz refresh rate and improved mini-LED backlighting with 1,000 local dimming zones. Per Wired, this enables up to 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness and 1,000 nits of SDR brightness. The XDR model also includes the same upgraded camera, speakers, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity as the standard version.
The 27-inch Studio Display starts at $1,599, while the Studio Display XDR is priced at $3,299 with a tilt- and height-adjustable stand, per Wired.
Apple’s new laptops and displays are available for preorder beginning Wednesday, March 4, 2026, and will arrive in stores starting March 11, Wired reports.
