Apple Launches M5 MacBook Pro and Air With New Monitors as MacBook Neo Looms
The M5 Pro and M5 Max bring an 18-core "fusion" CPU architecture, double the base storage, and higher starting prices — while a budget MacBook powered by an iPhone chip may arrive as soon as tomorrow.
The updated MacBook Pro lineup starts at $1,699 for the base M5 model with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage — a $100 increase over its predecessor, offset by double the base storage. The M5 Pro model begins at $2,199 (up from $1,999), while a fully loaded M5 Max MacBook Pro now tops out at a staggering $7,349.
Apple says the M5 chips were "specifically designed" to handle intensive AI workloads, a clear signal that on-device machine learning is now a primary design consideration for its silicon team. The internal storage is claimed to be up to twice as fast as previous-generation machines.
Meanwhile, rumours are swirling about a new entry in the Mac lineup: the MacBook Neo, reportedly a budget laptop powered by an iPhone-class chip. If confirmed, it would represent Apple's first sub-$1,000 MacBook in years and could arrive as soon as tomorrow.
Apple is also releasing macOS 26.3.1 and iPadOS 26.3.1 updates ahead of the larger iOS 26.4 release, suggesting quick software support for the new hardware.
Analysis
Why This Matters
Apple's M5 generation cements the company's silicon lead in the laptop market, but the real story is the pricing creep. Base models cost $100-$200 more than their predecessors, and the $7,349 ceiling pushes the MacBook Pro firmly into workstation territory.
Background
The M5 chip debuted in October 2025 in the entry-level MacBook Pro. The Pro and Max variants arriving now complete the family, bringing Apple's full laptop range onto fifth-generation silicon.
Key Perspectives
The MacBook Neo rumour is potentially more disruptive than the M5 Pro itself. A budget Mac powered by an iPhone chip would target the Chromebook market and education sector — areas Apple has largely ceded to competitors.
What to Watch
Whether the MacBook Neo materialises this week, and how developers respond to the M5 Max's AI-focused architecture. Apple's WWDC in June will likely reveal the software frameworks designed to exploit these capabilities.