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Why Apple named its new budget MacBook ‘Neo’

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Why Apple called it MacBook Neo
That citrus color is pretty neo-n, isn't it? But the real reason has more to do with exuding "fun, friendly and fresh."
Photo: Apple

The bold, unconventional name of Apple’s new entry-level laptop — MacBook Neo — surprised just about everyone, including many folks who expected the simple moniker “MacBook.” And it turns out the reasoning behind “Neo” is just as vivid as the laptop’s color palette, according to a new report.

Ultra-slim Qi2 power bank ends battery anxiety for your iPhone

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Woman on a call using iPhone 17 with a Vionta Q10 Qi2 battery pack on it
Save on an upgraded Qi2 battery pack that can charge two devices at once.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Adam Elements’ Vionta Q10 is an ultra-slim, 10,000mAh magnetic power bank that can keep your iPhone topped off all day long. But it’s more than just a Qi2 battery pack. It can deliver 30W to a second device via its USB-C port.

It comes in three colors (gray, titanium and gold), is airline-approved, and comes with some cool extras. And it’s on sale now for just $62.99 (MSRP $79).

Power to burn: Top 10 Mac Studio setups

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Mac Studio display
The user liked their dual 27-inch monitors, but likes the ultra-wide even better, comparing it to having three screens.
Photo: [email protected]

Since Apple introduced Mac Studio in spring 2022, the powerful and compact desktop machine has become a favorite centerpiece for ambitious computer workstations. It’s not hard to see why, considering its amazing design and computing chops. But it is pretty hard to choose the best Mac Studio Studio setups we’ve seen. Yet we’ve done so below, with the top 10 Mac Studio setups. 

Today in Apple history: Devs get the key to unlock iPhone’s awesome power

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The iPhone SDK paved the way for iPhone apps and the App Store.
The iPhone SDK plants the seeds for the App Store's stunning success.
Photo: Apple

March 6: Today in Apple history: Devs get the key to unlock iPhone's awesome power March 6, 2008: Apple releases the iPhone software development kit, finally allowing coders to start creating native mobile apps for the new smartphone. The iPhone SDK gives developers the tools they need to unlock the new smartphone’s potential.

When the App Store eventually opens a few months later, a new industry springs up overnight. Third-party devs rush to take advantage of Apple’s lucrative app distribution network.

MacBook Neo sets off panic in Windows land

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MacBook Neo sets off Windows panic
Windows world hand-wringing over the affordable MacBook Neo has begun.
Photo: Apple

Apple just did something that was, until very recently, almost unthinkable: It put a Mac laptop on sale for $599. And, no big surprise, the new MacBook Neo announced Wednesday already sparks concerns among PC mavens about hordes of users rushing to Apple. A new report from Windows land shows it.

“Windows OEMs are going to feel the heat, too,” the commentator wrote. “For years, OEMs have gotten away with shipping what can essentially be described as e-waste in this price bracket.”

$599 MacBook Neo has these 7 surprising limitations

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MacBook Neo - 7 missing features
MacBook Neo is great, but it misses out on these features.
Photo: Apple/ChatGPT

To make the new MacBook Neo — Apple’s most affordable laptop yet at just $599 — the company obviously needed to make some compromises. To keep costs down, Apple removed or scaled back several features that come standard on the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

Every wise shopper should consider the limitations of the MacBook Neo before jumping on Apple’s fun-looking new laptop.

How to save big bucks with Apple’s educational discount

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An Apple Educational Discount can get you started right at university.
An Apple Educational Discount can help you get started on the right path at university.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The new MacBook Neo costs only $499 with Apple’s education discount, which makes a lot of parents excited. They could get a MacBook for their child for under $500!

Problem is, Apple’s educational discount isn’t available for every student. Here’s who can save $100 on a new MacBook… and who can’t. And what you can do to qualify.

Apple TV revs up Formula 1 racing content [Starts this weekend!]

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Apple TV revs up Formula 1 content
Multiview functionality comes with Apple TV's Formula 1 racing content.
Photo: Apple

This weekend Apple TV’s Formula 1 racing content gets into gear, as practice, qualifying and Sprint sessions for the season’s first major Grand Prix race get underway starting Saturday (March 7), Apple said Thursday. Multiview programming, with a handful of live feeds onscreen at the same time, looks like a notable feature for fans in the United States.

“This weekend marks the start of a new era for Formula 1 fans in the U.S.,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “We’re excited to bring every moment of the season to Apple TV, delivering an immersive experience designed entirely around fans.”

New hypersensitive no-click mouse aims to change gaming

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Logitech G X2 Superstrike Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse
The new Logitech G X2 Superstrike Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse might actually change the game.
Photo: Logitech G

If you’re a Mac gamer — or curious about where gaming hardware is heading — Logitech G just launched something genuinely new. Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, released in February and now getting positive reviews, replaces the traditional physical click with a sophisticated haptic system that could give serious players a measurable edge.

At $179.99, it’s a premium proposition — but the technology underneath is unlike anything currently on the market.

The best RPG on Apple Arcade gets a sequel [Play it now!]

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Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea
Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea looks brilliant.
Image: Cornfox & Brothers

Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea just hit Apple Arcade. It’s the sequel to Knights of the Lost Realm, the absolute best role-playing game on Apple’s subscription gaming service.

Seriously, it’s worth it for RPG fans to subscribe the Apple Arcade for a couple of months just to play these two.

This premium portable monitor turns your laptop into a pro-level setup

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A work desk with Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2 Pro secondary monitor stacked on a laptop
Upgrade your travel rig with this premium second screen.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Working with multiple apps can make a laptop display feel cramped, but you can add a second screen with this deal on the Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2 Pro. The 16-inch portable display lets you add a snazzy second screen to your setup, wherever you decide to go.

And right now, this well-reviewed second display is on sale for just $279.99 (MSRP $389.99).

Don’t underestimate it: MacBook Neo packs surprising performance

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MacBook Neo performance
The just-announced MacBook Neo should deliver more speed than many expected.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s decision to put an A-series chip in the new MacBook Neo raised more than a few eyebrows. And doubts about its performance.

But comparing the MacBook Neo’s A18 Pro — which debuted a year and a half ago in the iPhone 16 Pro — with previous Mac processors shows that the A-series chip is surprisingly powerful.

MacBook Neo isn’t the MacBook Air killer you might think

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MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air
Which should you get?
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The MacBook Neo is Apple’s newest low-end MacBook. Does that mean there’s no reason to buy a MacBook Air anymore? Would power users go straight for the MacBook Pro? I don’t think so. There are still plenty of reasons to buy Apple’s midrange MacBook Air vs. the MacBook Neo.

Apple did a good job differentiating the two computers — there’s no configuration of the Neo that overlaps with the Air. Picking between the two should be straightforward. If you want more than 512GB storage, 8GB of memory or support for multiple external displays, you should opt for the MacBook Air. If you don’t need that much power or high specs, the Neo will do just great for you.

Here are all the differences between the two laptops. 

iPhone or Mac feeling buggy? Grab these updates ASAP.

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iOS 26.3.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.3.1: Bug hunting
Apple updates iOS with bug fixes and support for new displays
AI image: Gemini/Cult of Mac

iOS 26.3.1 is ready to be installed on your iPhone starting Wednesday. Mac users got macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 at the same time. The new versions include bug fixes — which are always welcome. And iPad users can install iPadOS 26.3.1, too.

In addition, all three system software updates bring support for the Apple Studio Display monitors that just launched.

How to get stylish MacBook Neo wallpapers early for iPhone and Mac

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get MacBook Neo wallpapers early
Here's the indigo MacBook Neo wallpaper for Mac or iPhone.
Photo: Basic Apple Guy

Apple unveiled the affordable MacBook Neo Wednesday — and on the same day Basic Apple Guy made a nifty set of wallpapers available for download. So if you’re not ready to buy the laptop or even wait a week or so for the wallpapers, you can still enjoy the related wallpapers — colorful and highly attainable — on your Mac and iPhone.

Today in Apple history: CFO Peter Oppenheimer retires from Apple

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Peter
Peter Oppenheimer oversaw a decade of explosive growth at Apple.
Photo: C-SPAN

March 4: Today in Apple history: Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer retires March 4, 2014: Peter Oppenheimer, the Apple chief financial officer who presided over a decade of skyrocketing growth, steps down from the company.

After becoming Apple CFO in 2004, Oppenheimer saw the company’s valuation soar from $8.8 billion to $471 billion. Luca Maestri replaces Oppenheimer in this crucial position.

Best cases you can buy right now for iPhone 17e

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Beats iPhone 17e case
Beats often brings more style and especially color than Apple does.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s iPhone 17e is the most capable budget iPhone ever made. It packs the A19 chip, a 48MP camera, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display and, notably, MagSafe, into a $599 package. With MagSafe now onboard for the first time in the ‘e’ line, you’ll want a case that takes full advantage of those magnets while protecting your investment. Here are the best MagSafe-compatible iPhone 17e cases you can buy right now (with more surely on the way). 

New Belkin 3-in-1 foldable charger gives your iPhone a full 25W [Review] ★★★★

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Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger review★★★★
This Belkin charger wirelessly juices up an iPhone at the full 25W, and powers two other Apple devices as well.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger quickly juices up your iPhone, plus it can power up your Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time. And with a folding design, it can stay on your desk or go on vacation.

I put the multidevice charger to the test in my home office. Here’s how it stood up in real-world use.

A18 Pro-powered MacBook Neo brings power at lowest price ever

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MacBook Neo in a variety of vibrant colors, arranged like a flower
The supremely affordable MacBook Neo comes in four colors: silver, blush, citrus and indigo.
Image: Apple

Apple introduced the MacBook Neo on Wednesday, unveiling the company’s most affordable laptop ever. It comes in four gorgeous, vibrant colors — silver, blush, indigo and citrus — and costs just $599 (or $499 with Apple’s education discount).

“We’re incredibly excited to introduce MacBook Neo, which delivers the magic of the Mac at a breakthrough price,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, in a press release. “MacBook Neo is a laptop only Apple could create. It features a durable aluminum design in four beautiful colors; Apple silicon-powered performance; all-day battery life. There is simply no other laptop like it.”

The MacBook Neo is available for preorder now and will be available on March 11.

Apple opens preorders for MacBook Neo, new MacBook Pro, iPhone 17e and more

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Student stowing the MacBook Air in a backpack in a school stairway
Time to place your preorder!
Photo: Apple

Apple’s just-announced MacBook Neo as well as the new M5 Pro/Max-equipped MacBook Pros, M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Air and iPhone 17e are now available for preorder. The new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR are also available to order starting Wednesday.

All devices will start shipping and hit retail stores starting March 11.

What new M5 MacBooks will cost you — from entry-level to fully loaded

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The M5 Pro / Max MacBook Pro using Avid Pro Tools
The high-end M5 MacBook Pros is ideal for sound design and composition, in powerful apps like Avid Pro Tools.
Image: Apple

As of Tuesday, Apple has refreshed its entire MacBook lineup with M5 silicon. And while the new machines bring meaningful upgrades across the board, buyers should brace for higher prices than last year.

Whether you’re eyeing the new MacBook Air or the pro-grade MacBook Pro, here’s a breakdown of what to expect at every price point.