Apple released a slew of new devices this week, including the stellar MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e, plus the very good Studio Display XDR, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.
It wasn't a full week of launches, but Apple certainly packed a lot into its three days of announcements. Practically all of it was predicted, but still there are stand-out releases like the MacBook Neo.
That seems to be polarizing people, as some regard Apple's compromises as going too far. It's certainly not for everyone, but then Apple has aimed at everybody by also updating its MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.
This is Apple aiming at a new market, which it arguably hasn't done for the Mac in ages.
The budget iPhone crowd got a nod too, with the iPhone 16e replaced by the iPhone 17e. For the right users, this is also a remarkably good deal.
It's just harder to say that about the two new Studio Display models. One model is so barely an upgrade that if you bought the previous one an hour before this came out, you're still shrugging.
But then the new Studio Display XDR may be costly, yet it's practically cheap compared to some medical monitors Apple says it can now replace.
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Links from the show:
- Apple itself has leaked a 'MacBook Neo'
- Studio Display Pro rumors resurface after code references suggest a premium model
- iPhone 17e arrives with A19 chip upgrade and MagSafe charging
- There's not much in the new M4 iPad Air update other than speed
- Performance anxiety: iPad Air M4 chip is binned, has only three performance cores
- MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max arrive, with few surprises
- How M5 Pro and M5 Max push MacBook Pro into high-bandwidth AI era
- New M5 MacBook Air gets double the storage, Wi-Fi 7, and a higher price
- New Studio Display XDR immediately outshines the updated Studio Display
- MacBook Neo is Apple's new $599 entry-level notebook
- MacBook Neo has compromises, but not all of them will matter to you
- MacBook Neo name chosen to reflect its 'fun, friendly, and fresh' look
- MacBook Neo vs M5 MacBook Air: Budget notebooks compared
- MacBook Neo is (probably) not for you, that doesn't make it a failure
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