Apple today released iOS 18.7.6 for older devices, addressing an issue that caused some older iPhones in Australia to be unable to connect to emergency services.
According to Apple's release notes, the update fixes an issue that was preventing the iPhone XS and iPhone XR from properly connecting to emergency networks in Australia.
This update addresses a mobile network issue for iPhone XS models and iPhone XR when establishing a connection to emergency services in Australia.
Australian mobile network operators have been improving support for emergency calling on their networks, which has led to a host of problems with older iPhones connecting to emergency situations in some situations. Apple has released several updates to address the problem, including iOS 16.7.4 and iOS 26.2.1.
Some of Apple's updates exacerbated the issue, and Apple ended up temporarily pulling iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 12.5.8 back in December. Since then, additional updates have been released to further fix the emergency calling bugs, including the new iOS 18.7.6. update.
Earlier today we began tracking the first pre-order offers on the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and now the MacBook Neo has joined in at Best Buy. If you pre-order the new low-cost MacBook Neo at Best Buy, you'll get a free $25 Best Buy gift card after purchase.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
In order to get the deal, you need to pre-order any MacBook Neo model at Best Buy with a valid e-mail address. The e-gift card will be sent out after you receive the MacBook Neo, or after you pick it up in a Best Buy store.
Apple announced the MacBook Neo today, and it's now the cheapest MacBook in the lineup starting at $599 and powered by the A18 Pro chip. Apple says it is up to 50% faster for everyday tasks than the bestselling PC with the latest shipping Intel Core Ultra 5, up to 3x faster for on-device AI workloads, and up to 2x faster for tasks like photo editing.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
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Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.3.1, a minor update to the macOS Tahoe operating system that came out last September. macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 comes three weeks after Apple launched macOS Tahoe 26.3.
Mac users can download the new software by opening up the System Settings app and navigating to the Software Update section.
According to Apple's release notes for the update, it adds support for the new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR. Apple has also released a firmware update for the new displays.
The new monitors are available for pre-order and will launch on Wednesday, March 11.
Apple today provided public beta testers with the third release of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.4 update for testing purposes. The public beta comes a week after Apple seeded the second beta.
After signing up for beta testing on Apple's beta site, public beta testers can download the updates using the Software Update section in the settings app for each update.
macOS Tahoe 26.4 includes several new features. The Compact tab layout has been reimplemented in Safari for those who missed having the option in earlier versions of macOS Tahoe, and there is a new Charge Limit feature that lets Mac users select a maximum charge level that ranges from 80 percent to 100 percent.
Apple silicon Mac users will see now see warnings about apps that are still using Rosetta 2, because Apple is phasing out Rosetta after macOS 27. macOS Tahoe is also the final version of macOS that will run on Intel-based Macs, and Apple is working to remove all lingering Intel features.
We could see additional features in upcoming versions of macOS Tahoe 26.4, such as new emoji characters. Apple is expected to test the update for the next several weeks, with a launch planned for the spring.
Apple introduced an all-new affordable Mac today, the MacBook Neo. Members of the media were invited to try the new device and other Apple products at events in New York, Shanghai, and London, and MacRumors' videographer Dan Barbera was in attendance. Dan was able to see the MacBook Neo in person, as well as other devices like the new Studio Display XDR.
The MacBook Neo looks and feels a lot like the MacBook Air, because it's almost the same size and has an aluminum chassis. It's thicker than the MacBook Air, but it has a 13-inch display, and it also weighs 2.7 pounds.
Apple designed the MacBook Neo from the ground up, and it comes in some fun colors like Silver, Indigo, Blush, and Citrus. Each of the notebooks has a color matched keyboard and trackpad, but the keyboard has no backlighting and the trackpad isn't the higher-end Force Touch trackpad Apple uses in its other Macs. It's a physical trackpad with an actual click rather than haptic feedback for presses.
There is no notch, with Apple instead adopting an iPad-style design with thicker bezels that house the front-facing camera. Speakers are located on the exterior sides of the device, which is new, and Spatial Audio is supported. The MacBook Neo has a bit of a cheaper feel compared to the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro because of the thicker bezels and the changes to the trackpad, but it is still an excellent machine for the price.
Apple used the A18 Pro chip in the MacBook Neo, which is technically an iPhone chip. It was first introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro, and while it's a powerful chip, it doesn't match the performance of Apple's newer M-series chips. There's only 8GB RAM included, and 60GB/s memory bandwidth, half that of the MacBook Air.
Apple says the MacBook Neo is up to 50 percent faster for everyday tasks than the bestselling PC with an Intel Core Ultra 5 chip, which is an apt comparison because this is aimed at people who might instead buy a lower-cost Windows laptop or Chromebook. The MacBook Neo is up to two times faster at photo editing, and three times faster when it comes to on-device AI workloads, according to Apple.
You get a Retina quality display, but only 500 nits brightness and no add-on features like True Tone or P3 Wide color. There are two USB-C ports, but only one is USB3 with DisplayPort 1.4 support. You can connect a single 4K 60Hz display to the MacBook Neo.
Battery life is a little low for a device the size of a MacBook Air with an A-series chip, and it lasts for up to 16 hours. Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are supported, so it is compatible with 6GHz networks.
We'll have more in-depth hands-on coverage of the MacBook Neo and Apple's other new products next week.
The MacBook Neo is now Apple's entry-level MacBook, undercutting the MacBook Air by $500. To deliver such a dramatically lower price, the MacBook Neo has a significant number of tradeoffs. Here's everything that's different between the two devices.
Apple's introduction of the MacBook Neo expands the company's laptop lineup with a far more affordable entry point, sitting well below the MacBook Air in both price and capability. While the two machines share a similar size and lightweight design, they are aimed at very different types of users. The MacBook Neo focuses on delivering the essentials of the Mac experience at the lowest possible cost, while the MacBook Air offers significantly more performance, features, and flexibility.
Design
The MacBook Neo and the 13-inch MacBook Air have similar dimensions. The MacBook Air remains thinner, but the MacBook Neo has a slightly smaller overall footprint owing to its smaller display. Both machines weigh 2.7 pounds (1.23 kg).
MacBook Neo
MacBook Air
Height
0.50 inch (1.27 cm)
0.44 inch (1.13 cm)
Width
11.71 inches (29.75 cm)
11.97 inches (30.41 cm)
Depth
8.12 inches (20.64 cm)
8.46 inches (21.5 cm)
There are still some notable design differences. The MacBook Neo does not have a backlit keyboard or a haptic trackpad, and only has Touch ID when configured with 512GB of storage for an extra $100. They are also available in different selections of color options, with the MacBook Neo's color extending to the Magic Keyboard in a lighter shade.
MacBook Neo
MacBook Air
Available in Silver, Blush, Indigo, and Citrus
Available in Silver, Sky Blue, Midnight, and Starlight
Touch ID on 512GB models only
Touch ID
Magic Keyboard or Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Color-matched Magic Keyboard
Black Magic Keyboard
Mechanical Multi-Touch trackpad
Haptic Force Touch trackpad with pressure-sensing capabilities
Display "notch"
Display
The MacBook Air's display is slightly larger and supports True Tone and P3 wide color. Both are Liquid Retina displays with 500 nits of brightness.
MacBook Neo
MacBook Air
13-inch Liquid Retina display
13.6-inch Liquid Retina display (15-inch model also available)
2408 by 1506 pixel resolution
2560 by 1664 pixel resolution
sRGB
Wide color (P3)
True Tone technology
Thicker display borders
Slimmer display borders
Performance
The MacBook Neo is Apple's first Mac to contain an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro is still a capable chip, but the M5 is around 20% faster for single-core tasks and 80% faster for multi-core tasks. The M5 chip also has more than double the GPU throughput of the A18 Pro and features Neural Accelerators.
MacBook Neo
MacBook Air
Apple A18 Pro chip
Apple M5 chip
Made with TSMC's second-generation 3nm process (N3E)
Made with TSMC's third-generation 3nm process (N3P)
6-core CPU
10-core CPU
5-core GPU
8-core GPU
Neural Accelerators
8GB unified memory
16GB, 24GB, or 32GB unified memory
60GB/s memory bandwidth
153GB/s memory bandwidth
Battery and Charging
The MacBook Air has up to two hours of extra battery life over the MacBook Neo, along with support for charging via MagSafe 3 and fast charging.
MacBook Neo
MacBook Air
Integrated 36.5-watt-hour lithium-ion battery
Integrated 53.8-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
16-hour battery life
18-hour battery life
MagSafe 3 charging
Fast-charge capable with 70W USB-C Power Adapter or higher
Comes with 20W USB-C Power Adapter
Comes with 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max
Cameras, Speakers, and Microphones
The MacBook Air has a superior array of camera and audio hardware, resulting in a slightly better experience with video calls, listening to music, and recording audio.
Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking when using supported AirPods
Dual-mic array with directional beamforming
Three-mic array with directional beamforming
Connectivity
The MacBook Neo's connectivity is more limited than that of the MacBook Air. While both have two USB-C ports, the MacBook Air's are considerably more capable in terms of data transfer and external display support.
MacBook Neo
MacBook Air
Wi-Fi 6E connectivity
Wi-Fi 7 connectivity
One USB 3 (10 Gb/s) port and one USB 2 port (480 Mb/s)
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports (40 Gb/s)
Support for one 4K external display at 60Hz
Support for two 6K external displays up 60Hz or 4K at 144Hz
3.5mm headphone jack
3.5mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones
Magnetic MagSafe 3 charging port
Other Differences
The most significant difference between the MacBook Neo and the MacBook Air is price: The MacBook Air costs $500 more. It is also much more configurable, with higher amounts of memory and storage available.
MacBook Neo
MacBook Air
Ambient light sensor
256GB or 512GB storage
512GB, 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB storage
Starts at $599
Starts at $1,099
Which to Choose?
Choosing between the MacBook Neo and the MacBook Air primarily comes down to how demanding your needs are and how much you want to spend. The MacBook Neo is clearly positioned as Apple's most accessible notebook, delivering the core Mac experience at the lowest possible price. For users who primarily need a reliable computer for basic everyday tasks, the Neo provides enough performance. Its lower cost also makes it an appealing option for households purchasing multiple computers, such as for kids or family use.
For first-time Mac owners, the MacBook Neo is also likely to be the most sensible starting point. It offers the same software experience as Apple's more expensive laptops, allowing new users to explore the platform without a large financial commitment. In many cases, buyers moving from inexpensive Windows laptops or Chromebooks will find the Neo significantly faster and better built than devices in the same price range.
The MacBook Air, by contrast, is aimed at users who expect higher performance, greater longevity, and a more feature-rich, premium experience. Its more powerful M5 chip, memory options, larger display, and significantly more capable connectivity make it far better suited to multitasking, professional workloads, and creative applications. Users who regularly work with large files, run demanding software, connect multiple external displays, or want a machine that will remain comfortable to use for many years will benefit from choosing the Air.
In practical terms, the MacBook Neo is best viewed as a budget entry point into the Mac lineup, while the MacBook Air remains Apple's mainstream ultraportable for most people. Buyers who simply want a dependable Mac for everyday computing can save money with the Neo, but those who want stronger performance, better hardware features, and a laptop that will scale to more demanding tasks over time should consider spending the extra money on the MacBook Air.
Apple's new low-cost MacBook Neo is equipped with the A18 Pro chip that Apple first used in the iPhone 16 Pro, and it's the first Mac that has an A-series chip.
Using an iPhone chip in a Mac comes with some downsides, like external display support. The MacBook Neo supports a single external display with a 4K resolution and 60Hz refresh rate.
The MacBook Neo will not work with the new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR that Apple announced yesterday because both of those are 5K displays, but it will work with affordable USB-C 4K display options from companies like LG, Dell, and Samsung.
There are two USB-C ports in the MacBook Neo, but only one supports DisplayPort 1.4 for an external display. An external monitor will need to be plugged into the appropriate port, which is the USB 3 port closest to the rear of the device. There is no Thunderbolt support, which is what other Macs use for multiple displays, and how the Studio Display options connect.
Adding a second display might be possible using a third-party DisplayLink adapter, as has been the case with other Macs with display limitations, but this has not been tested yet.
While there's official support for just one external display, the MacBook Neo can at least drive the extra display and its own built-in display at full native resolution. The MacBook Neo has a 13-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2408 x 1506 at 219 pixels per inch.
The MacBook Neo is priced starting at $599, and it is available for pre-order today from Apple's website. The new Mac will launch on March 11.
Apple this week unveiled seven products, including an iPhone 17e, an iPad Air with the M4 chip, updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, a new Studio Display, a higher-end Studio Display XDR, and an all-new MacBook Neo that starts at just $599.
iPhone 17e features the same overall design as the iPhone 16e, but it gains Apple's A19 chip, MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging and magnetic accessories, Apple's second-generation C1X modem for faster 5G, and a doubled 256GB of base storage. In the U.S., the iPhone 17e starts at $599, just like the iPhone 16e did.
The new iPad Air's key upgrades include Apple's M4 chip, an increased 12GB of RAM, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and the C1X modem in cellular models.
The MacBook Air received a faster M5 chip, and a doubled 512GB of base storage, but the starting price increased from $999 to $1,099 as a result of a 256GB configuration being dropped. With the N1 chip, the MacBook Air now has Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and it now comes with Apple's 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max.
The higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models finally received M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, plus up to twice as fast SSD speeds and a doubled 1TB of base storage. Battery life has increased slightly across all of the models, and the N1 chip extends to the MacBook Pro line now for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support.
The regular Studio Display gained Thunderbolt 5 support and improved speakers, and the camera now supports Desk View. There is also an all-new, higher-end Studio Display XDR that gained all of those benefits, plus bigger improvements such as a 120Hz refresh rate, mini-LED backlighting, increased brightness, and more.
The colorful new MacBook Neo starts at just $599 in the United States, and at an even lower $499 for college students. Available in Blush, Citrus, Indigo, and Silver, the MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone, and it is equipped with a 13-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and a non-configurable 8GB of RAM.
To learn about these new products, read our coverage of Apple's announcements:
Apple today launched pre-orders for the new M5 MacBook Air, but if you're looking for a good discount you'll do better to shop previous generation models on Amazon. Right now you'll find up to $300 off select M4 MacBook Air devices, with the best deals on 15-inch models.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Specifically, you can get the 256GB 15-inch M4 MacBook Air for $999.00 ($200 off), the 16GB/512GB model for $1,099.00 ($300 off), and the 24GB/512GB model for $1,299.00 ($300 off). In regards to the latter two models, these are matches for the all-time low prices on the M4 MacBook Air.
Deals on the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air aren't quite as steep, but you can still find up to $200 off these models on Amazon. The best price is on the 16GB/512GB 13-inch M4 MacBook Air, available for $999.00 ($200 off).
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Apple just kicked off pre-orders for the new M5 MacBook Air and M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro, and Best Buy already has a few offers on these notebooks. You can get a $50 Best Buy gift card when pre-ordering the MacBook Air and a $100 gift card when pre-ordering the MacBook Pro.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
In order to get these deals, you need to pre-order one of the newest MacBooks at Best Buy with a valid e-mail address. The e-gift card will be sent out after you receive the eligible MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, or after you pick it up in a Best Buy store.
In regards to the upgrades, the MacBook Air features performance improvements thanks to the newest M5 chip, as well as Apple's custom N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity.
The new MacBook Pro includes M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which are up to 30 percent faster when compared to the M4 generation, and up to 2.5x faster than M1 Pro and M1 Max. In terms of design, both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro keep the same overall designs as previous generations.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Following months of rumors about a lower-cost MacBook, Apple has delivered in a big way with the MacBook Neo, which starts at $599 in the United States.
Even better, the MacBook Neo starts at just $499 through Apple's education store on its website, for eligible college students and educational staff.
There is only one upgrade option available for the MacBook Neo. If you want a configuration with a Touch ID button and an expanded 512GB of storage, that costs $100 extra. This raises the price to $699 for the general public, and to $599 for college students. But, that is the most expensive the MacBook Neo gets on its own.
With the MacBook Air's starting price rising from $999 to $1,099 with the introduction of new models with the M5 chip this week — albeit with a doubled 512GB of storage — the MacBook Neo is as much as $500 cheaper than the MacBook Air. And it could go on sale through resellers like Amazon for even less eventually.
Here is an overview of the U.S. starting prices for MacBooks:
13-inch MacBook Neo: $599
13-inch MacBook Air: $1,099
15-inch MacBook Air: $1,299
14-inch MacBook Pro: $1,699
16-inch MacBook Pro: $2,699
MacBook Neo is available to pre-order now and launches on Wednesday, March 11.
Apple made some compromises to sell a Mac notebook at $599, including cutting back on RAM. While all other Macs start at 16GB RAM, the MacBook Neo is equipped with 8GB RAM and no option to upgrade to more memory.
With the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro models and 8GB RAM, the MacBook Neo is able to run all Apple Intelligence features, but as AI gets more advanced and Apple adds new capabilities, there's a chance it could fall behind.
8GB RAM ensures the MacBook Neo is affordable, especially with the current memory shortages that are causing prices to soar. It's also the RAM in the iPhone 16 Pro.
Apple's MacBook Air used to have an 8GB option, but in October 2024, Apple updated it to add 16GB RAM to the entry level machine. Since then, no Mac has shipped with less than 16GB.
Though it only has 8GB RAM, the MacBook Neo is a powerful machine for everyday tasks like writing, web browsing, and schoolwork, and it's more than capable of light photo and video editing.
Pricing on the MacBook Neo starts at $599, and it is available for pre-order.
The MacBook Neo's two USB-C ports have two different specifications, with one being limited to USB 2 speeds.
One port is a USB-C 3 port with support for data transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s, while the other is a USB-C 2 port with support for data transfer speeds up to 480 Mb/s. Both support charging, but only the USB-C 3 port features DisplayPort, so users will need to make sure they are hooked up to the correct port when using an external display.
There is no way to tell them apart externally. The limitation is likely related to the USB controller of the A18 Pro chip. There is also a headphone jack on the device, but there is no MagSafe charging capability or any other ports.
MacBook Neo is available to pre-order starting today, with availability starting on Wednesday, March 11.
Apple's latest iPhone, the iPhone 17e, went up for pre-order this morning, and as always you can find numerous offers on the newest Apple smartphone from cellular carriers. This includes savings from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Shoppers should remember that all of the offers below are pre-order deals on the iPhone 17e, which is set to launch on March 11.
AT&T
At AT&T, you can get the iPhone 17e (256GB) for $5.99/month when you activate a new line or upgrade an existing line on one of AT&T's unlimited voice and data plan.
Specifically, you'll get up to $384.36 in bill credits on the 256GB iPhone 17e, or up to $404.36 in bill credits on the 512GB iPhone 17e. No trade-in is required for this deal.
Verizon
Verizon's deal has the iPhone 17e at no cost when you purchase the device on an Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plan. You'll also need to add a new line on one of these plans, and this is for the 256GB iPhone 17e.
Once you qualify, you'll see the promo credit applied to your account over 36 months.
T-Mobile
At T-Mobile, you can also get the iPhone 17e at no cost, but you'll need to trade in an eligible device on the Experience More plan. Otherwise, you can get the same offer when trading in an eligible device and add a line on most other plans.
If you're purchasing for a family, you can get four iPhone 17e models at no cost and four new voice lines for $25/line per month. You'll need to trade in four eligible devices on the Essentials plan in order to get this deal.
If you're switching to T-Mobile, you'll get the iPhone 17e at no cost and you won't need to trade in any device for this one.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Apple today unveiled the colorful new MacBook Neo, which has a "breakthrough" starting price of just $599 in the United States. MacBook Neo features a 13-inch display, an A18 Pro chip with Apple Intelligence support, 256GB and 512GB storage options, dual speakers on the left and right sides of the laptop, and more.
Apple today debuted the MacBook Neo, a $599 notebook with an A18 Pro chip, 16-hour battery life, and selection of bright colors. The MacBook Neo has the same magic keyboard as other MacBooks, but getting Touch ID is an extra charge.
The base $599 MacBook Neo model has a standard keyboard without Touch ID and 256GB of storage, but if you pay $100 more, you can get 512GB of storage and a Touch ID button on the keyboard.
There is no option to get Touch ID with the 256GB storage tier. There are just two pricing tiers for storage, with no other upgrade options available for the MacBook Neo. There is a $100 EDU discount, so teachers and students can get the standard Neo for $499, and the upgraded version with Touch ID for $599.
The MacBook Neo comes in four colors, including Silver, Citrus, Blush, and Indigo. It is available for pre-order today, with a launch to follow on March 11.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
