Apple March event LIVE: iPhone 17e, low-cost MacBook and every big announcement

Low-cost MacBook A18 Pro: What colors will we see?

So, we've heard the budget MacBook is expected to have an A18 Pro chip, and a 12.9-inch display, but what I'm looking forward to is seeing the colors it comes in!

Just like Apple's iMac range, the low-cost MacBook is rumored to appear in a host of playful colors. If anything, that Apple March invitation may be giving us a hint at the colors to expect.

Colors we expect include light yellow, light green, blue and pink, along with the usual classic silver and dark gray. I would adore a light green model, but what color would you like to see for this all-new MacBook?

Don't forget the iPad 12!

Apple tends to stick with its routine of spring announcements, which is why we're expecting the next iPad Air M4 to drop. But we're also looking to see the next entry-level iPad 12, and this one actually comes with a big upgrade.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims it's on the way, and the iPad 12 is expected to feature an A18 chip (or possibly an A19, though given the base iPad generally skips just one generation, A18 makes sense).

While we expect the same design, the boost from the A18/A19 chip should finally bring Apple Intelligence to the base iPad. So, not just a simple refresh with better performance, but added capabilities. Another reported upgrade is the iPad 12 moving to 8GB of RAM, compared to the usual 6GB.

I'm a big fan of the iPad 11, and if it's getting even bigger performance gains, it's a tablet that should be on most people's radars.

Is a Mac Studio and Studio Display coming?

It's unlike Apple to fit this many announcements into a spring showcase, but it looks to have three days of announcements on its hands, so we may just see an updated Mac Studio and Studio Display slip into the mix.

Since we've seen hints of an M5 Ultra chip, there's a strong chance that there will be a new Mac Studio with M5 Ultra in the near future, and there's also been word of two new Studio Display monitors coming in 2026.

According to Gurman, while Apple's next Studio Displays are ready to ship, the new Mac Studios are still a little behind. So, the Cupertino company may be waiting to release these a little later in the first half of 2026 instead.

Plus, with rumors of an iMac and Mac mini refresh, Apple may hold the Mac Studio and Studio Display until a later date to bundle these reveals. They're part of the same family of products, after all. But who knows, they could make an appearance, so keep these on your radar!

Apple is gearing up for a 'major rush' of customers

Apple appears to be preparing for a flock of customers after the announcements this week, and I can see why with the number of products we're expecting to be unveiled!

In Bloomberg's Mark Gurman's latest report, he claims that Apple employees at retail stores are gearing up for what is "on par with what happens before the debut of new iPhones in the fall." That's because Apple expects a "major rush" of buyers, and it's likely due to the low-cost MacBook, among its other refreshes, this week.

As Gurman notes, the MacBook with A18 Pro should "drive a serious number of switchers from Windows machines and Chromebooks," due to its price. Well, we'll just have to see what the tech giant has up its sleeves.

Low-cost MacBook price

The biggest question I have for this anticipated low-cost MacBook with A18 Pro is how much will it cost? I’m sure it’s on everyone’s minds, considering it’s set to hit the budget laptop market to take on Chromebooks and cheap Windows machines for students and beyond.

What we can expect is a price "well under $1,000," as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims. As we’ve here, many reports indicate pricing could be between $599 and $799, which makes sense, considering the MacBook Air M4 is priced at $999. Although this often dips, dropping to as low as $749. So, it's likely we're looking at a cheap MacBook for around $599 to $699.

That said, Apple’s budget MacBook may not be so cheap after all, according to a leak. Apparently, it may be priced between $699 and $749 (thanks, RAM crisis), but that higher cost would leave a sour taste in our mouths. So, here’s hoping for something more affordable!

Wait, an iPhone 17e too?

It isn’t all about MacBooks, iPads and more, as Apple is tipped to be dropping its next affordable iPhone: the iPhone 17e.

Since the iPhone 16e was announced in February last year, the Cupertino tech giant is (kind of) already late for its expected 17e reveal. We’ve heard plenty of iPhone 17e rumors, indicating we may see an A19 chipset (like the iPhone 17), possibly along with a Dynamic Island cutout, but this is still up in the air.

Otherwise, expect a similar design to the 16e, just with a spec bump. We’re not even sure if Apple’s e-series will get an annual refresh, but considering its numbered naming, it makes sense that there will be a 17e. Either way, we’re on watch for it!

When can we expect announcements?

As Cook so generously claims, the first announcement should kick off today (March 2) in the morning!

That’s in U.S. time, by the way, so we could expect something to drop as soon as 9 a.m. EST / 2 p.m. GMT (or possibly a little later to give everyone a chance to wake up and log in for the day).

Be on the lookout for then. We’re expecting reveals to drop as a press release, so keep an eye on the Apple Newsroom.

Prepare for refreshes

So, the low-cost MacBook may be Apple’s new product, but there are many devices we’re here to see get a refresh, too.

That includes the MacBook Pro M5 Pro and M5 Max (these laptops have been a long time coming), MacBook Air M5, iPad Air M4, iPad 12 (with A18?) and Mac Studio with M5 Ultra, along with a Studio Display.

It’s a lot of products, which is why Apple appears to be gearing up for a three-day rollout of devices. We’ve heard at least five products will be on the way, so there’s a chance not all of these will be announced. We’re here to stay on alert on the latest developments; we’ll keep you in the know!

What’s coming today?

This is anyone’s guess, as at least five products could steal the spotlight today.

As CEO Tim Cook notes, announcements are kicking off this morning (possibly from 9 a.m. EST / 2 p.m. GMT onwards), but he also teases us with a brief Apple logo video.

Is that the surface of a MacBook? It looks like it, but it’s hard to tell considering all of the rumored devices up for launch could have that surface. With the Special Apple Experience expected to be dedicated to the low-cost MacBook (and other announcements), we may not see this launch until later in the week.

Instead, Apple may dedicate a day to MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Air and iPad refreshes, another day for the iPhone 17e, and the final day for the all-new MacBook.

The BIG announcement

While there are many products we’re hoping to see, one stands out from the rest: the low-cost MacBook with an A18 Pro. That’s the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro, and it will mark the first time Apple brings an entry-level MacBook without an “Air” or “Pro” moniker in over a decade.

As we’ve heard, we’re expecting a 12.9-inch MacBook that’s aimed to take on the budget market, including Chromebooks and cheap Windows laptops. This is apparently what the Special Apple Experience is mainly for, and that Apple invitation with the colorful logo is teasing us with the colors it will come in.

Will it be announced today? It won’t be long until we finally see what Apple is dishing out first, as we’re also anticipating an iPhone 17e, MacBook Pro and Air refreshes, along with iPad updates. Oh, and maybe even an all-new Mac Studio and Studio Display.

It all begins today!

And Apple’s big week begins! This is the first time we’re seeing the Cupertino tech giant kick off its spring showcase with multi-day announcements in a row, and we can expect at least 5 products to be unveiled.

While the Special Apple Experience is set for March 5, we already know the first launch is happening today (March 2), with Tim Cook stating on X, “it all starts Monday morning!”

With the number of products we’re anticipating, it’s anyone’s guess what the first reveal will be. For now, we’ll be keeping our eyes open for anything to drop from 9 a.m. EST / 2 p.m. GMT onwards. Stay tuned!