Hey,
It’s Pete Matheson with a new issue of Experiments in Progress.
🍎 Apple just reshaped its entire product lineup
This week Apple launched a surprisingly large number of products.
But the interesting part isn’t just the hardware.
It’s how Apple’s product lineup is starting to shift and which devices actually make sense to buy now.
💻 The MacBook Neo might be Apple’s most important launch
The biggest surprise this week was the MacBook Neo.
It starts at $599, making it the cheapest laptop Apple has released in years.
Source: The Verge
On paper the specs look modest:
A18 Pro chip
8GB memory
256GB storage
Up to 16 hours of battery life
But for most people, that’s actually more than enough. Students. Kids. People who mainly browse the web, send emails, and watch videos.
In fact, I’ve already bought two of them to test.
Because for a lot of people, this might quietly become the default entry point into the Apple ecosystem.
We’re currently testing the MacBook Neo. Would you like to see a full video review on the channel?
📱 The iPhone 17e is exactly what it needed to be
Apple also launched the iPhone 17e, its new entry-level iPhone.
It starts at $599, and the upgrade this year is pretty straightforward.
The biggest addition is MagSafe, which was missing on previous budget iPhones.
Other than that, the formula stays simple:
A solid camera.
Reliable performance.
And the full iPhone experience at a lower price.
It’s not flashy.
But for many people, it may actually be the best-value iPhone Apple sells.
Source: Engadget
📱 The iPad problem is getting harder to ignore
Apple also released a new batch of iPads.
Apple introduced the updated iPad Air (11-inch and 13-inch models) powered by the M4 chip, with 12GB RAM, Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip, and improved cellular via C1X modem.
But this is where things get slightly strange.
Because when you add an iPad, a keyboard, and a case the total price can easily become higher than a MacBook Neo.
If you mainly want to type, browse the web, and do light work…
Why buy an iPad at all?
The gap between tablet and laptop is starting to look more confusing than ever.
Source: CNET
🖥 New Studio Displays (with smaller upgrades)
Apple also refreshed its Studio Display lineup.
There’s now an updated Studio Display XDR, replacing the older Pro Display XDR at roughly half the price.
The new version includes:
higher refresh rate (up to 120Hz)
improved brightness
updated internals
But overall, this is more of a spec refresh than a major redesign.
Source: PetaPixel
📊 Apple’s updated lineup at a glance
After this week’s launches, Apple’s ecosystem now looks something like this:
Product | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
MacBook Neo | $599 | Students, kids, and people who mainly need web browsing, email, streaming, and light work |
MacBook Air (M5) | ~$999 | Most users who want a fast, portable laptop for everyday work, productivity, and creative tasks |
MacBook Pro (M5 Pro / Max) | ~$1,999+ | Video editors, developers, AI work, and heavy creative workflows |
iPad (with keyboard) | ~$800–$1,200 | Tablet-first users who prioritize portability, touch, and media consumption |
Studio Display / Studio Display XDR | ~$1,599+ | Desk setups for creators, developers, and professionals who want a large high-quality display |
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🍎 Apple buying guides from the channel
If you're deciding between the iPhone 17 Pro and the Galaxy S25 Ultra, this video walks through the real differences and which one actually makes more sense to use.
For years, the MacBook Pro didn’t really have much competition.
In this video we look at a powerful ASUS alternative and test whether it can actually compete with Apple’s flagship laptop especially for creators and power users.
Apple now sells more iPhones than ever: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max.
So which one should you actually buy?
This video breaks down the differences and helps you pick the right iPhone for your needs.