Apple's Tim Cook teases 'big week ahead' starting Monday — cheap MacBook, new iPhone 17e and everything else we expect to see

Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed that the company will reveal new products starting on "Monday morning," March 2. This will kick off what is expected to be a three-day bonanza of product announcements.

This includes a press "experience" on Wednesday where Tom's Guide will be in attendance to try out whatever new devices Apple announces.

A little teaser

Cook's teaser is a short video where an incomplete Apple logo is shaped with a squeeze and flick on a silver aluminum background.

"A big week ahead. It all starts Monday morning! #AppleLaunch," the text reads. It's clear that Apple plans to announce new hardware even if the message is a bit cryptic

Outside of the press experience in New York City, London and Shanghai, we don't expect a big Apple keynote. Instead, the company will likely drop several press releases and product videos.

What we expect to see from Apple

Over the three days, we believe Apple will announce "at least five products" thanks to reporting from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and previous rumors.

On the for sure side of things, we expect to see the iPhone 17e, a new iPad Air M4, and a refreshed entry-level iPad. The biggest announcement should be the rumored low-cost MacBook that could launch in yellow and green.

Cheap MacBook

The most interesting may be the rumored low-cost MacBook that could launch in yellow and green. The cheap MacBook is meant to take on entry-level Windows laptops for students and general users.

It's been rumored that it will cost either $599 or $699 with 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and a 12-inch display. It could also feature an A18 Pro chip, the same as in the iPhone 16 Pro models.

If Apple is sticking an A18 chip in the cheap MacBook, it could handily outperform the MacBook M1, which is currently the least expensive MacBook that you can buy. This means better performance, graphics and power efficiency.

iPad Air and iPad

An iPad Air powered by the M4 chip is the third "likely" device we could see next week. Like the low-cost iPhone e-series, the only big change here will be chips, including potentially Apple's custom N1 wireless chips.

Alongside the iPad Air, we should see a new entry-level iPad 12, which could feature an A19 chip, though some reports have suggested it could come with an A18 one instead. Either would be an upgrade over the A16 in the current iPad 11.

Both devices are only really seeing chip upgrades. So iPad 12 should feature an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, with at least 128GB starting. The iPad 11 had a test battery life of 11 hours and 25 minutes. The more efficient A19 or A18 could increase that life.

Similarly, the iPad Air M3 has an 11-inch Liquid Retina display and a 10-hour battery life. Again, the more efficient M4 should improve that number.

Other devices

That's four devices, what about number 5? Apple has been rumored to launch a refreshed Mac Studio and a new Apple Studio Display this spring. According to Gurman, the Studio Displays are ready to ship now, with the Studio Displays close behind. So, either or both of those products could make an appearance.

Tom's Guide will be on hand to experience the launches and give you first impressions of whatever Apple announces.

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