Numerous leaks and rumors point to a busy event. A new MacBook Pro, a new MacBook Air, the iPhone 17e, revamped iPads and possibly more could all be on the agenda.
Apple March 4 event is Official — here’s why Mac fans should pay attention
Apple’s decision to host an in-person event in New York, rather than more quietly rolling out updates through a series of press releases, signals that the company likely views the March 4 announcements as more significant than a routine product refresh. In recent years, Apple has often introduced incremental upgrades — particularly to Macs and iPads — via its website with little fanfare. By contrast, staging a live gathering suggests the company believes the news warrants focused media attention, hands-on demonstrations and a carefully choreographed presentation.
It’s possible the company intends to use the event to show progress on Apple Intelligence and the AI-enhanced Siri. The company already promised improved productivity tools, more context-aware system features, and additional voice capabilities — all powered by AI. These could take the stage next month. Revealing new AI capabilities would justify an in-person event.
MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips
AI speculation aside, new hardware is a virtual lock for the agenda of the Apple March event. That is likely to start with the MacBook Pro getting upgraded with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The new processors are expected to deliver faster CPU and GPU performance along with improved energy efficiency.
However, no exterior redesign is anticipated. This is a “chip-and-ship” update. Still, prices for the M5 Pro and M5 Max variant as of the MacBook Pro are not expected to increase in price.
M5 MacBook Air
another highlight of the Apple March event is likely to be a new version of the MacBook Air with the base M5 processor, bringing the company’s latest silicon innovations to its thinnest and lightest notebook. With the new chip, the Air will to build on the performance and efficiency of its predecessors.
But this is another “chip-and-ship” update — outward changes to the sleek chassis of the 2026 MacBook Air are not expected. But neither is a price increase. The base model is likely to stay at $999.
Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra
Rumors circulating ahead of Apple’s March 4 event also point to the possibility of a new Mac Studio powered by M5 Max and M5 Ultra configurations. According to supply-chain whispers and analyst speculation, these updated chips would bring notable gains in processing power and graphics performance, reinforcing the Mac Studio’s appeal to professionals working in video production, 3D animation, software development and other demanding creative fields.
The refreshed models are thought to retain the compact, desk-friendly design of the current Mac Studio while delivering a significant performance uplift.
But with great power comes great bills. The M5 Max/Ultra Mac Studio are likely to start around $1999 and go up from there.
iPad 12
Rumors surrounding the iPad lineup also point to a refreshed base model that could make its debut at the Apple March 4 event. Reports suggest the entry-level iPad 12 will be powered by the A18 or A19 chip and include 8GB of RAM, a notable boost aimed at supporting Apple Intelligence features and improving overall performance.
Externally, the device is expected to look unchanged, while sticking with an affordable starting price around $350.
M4 iPad Air
Apple could also use its March 4 event to introduce a refreshed iPad Air, with reports pointing to a straightforward spec-bump update centered on the addition of an M4 processor. If unveiled, the 2026 iPad Air would likely retain its current design language, including both 11-inch and 13-inch size options, while delivering improved performance and efficiency under the hood. Again, no price changes are expected.
And these are only the highlights. More new hardware could be on the way at the Apple March event.#OpenClawFounderJoinsOpenAI #DireCryptomedia $USDC