Apple’s March 4 “special Apple Experience” event is almost here, and a fresh macOS update may have just revealed more than the company intended. Digging through macOS 26.3, developers have found references to three unreleased device identifiers hidden inside kernel extensions.
While Apple hasn’t officially announced anything yet, the codenames strongly suggest new hardware is on the way, possibly including a more affordable MacBook and updated Studio Displays.
A lower-cost MacBook could finally be coming
The most talked-about codename is J700, which many believe refers to a new entry-level MacBook. Apple hasn’t seriously targeted the sub-$800 laptop segment in years. The MacBook Air still starts around the $849–$999 range depending on configuration, and while that’s competitive, it’s not exactly “budget.”
Reports suggest this new model could land somewhere between $599 and $799. To get there, Apple may skip its usual M-series silicon and instead use the Apple A18 Pro, the same chip expected in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup.
That might sound like a downgrade, but early benchmarks indicate the A18 Pro slightly outperforms the original M1 in certain tasks, while offering excellent power efficiency. For everyday tasks on macOS — web browsing, streaming, document work, even light creative tasks — it should be more than enough.
Rumored specs point to a 12.9-inch display (roughly 13 inches), an aluminum build, and a range of brighter color options. If accurate, this would mark Apple’s most aggressive push into mainstream laptop pricing in quite some time.
Two additional identifiers, J427 and J527, appear to reference updated versions of the Apple Studio Display. Details are still fuzzy, but speculation suggests Apple could be preparing refreshed 27-inch 5K models, possibly with mini-LED backlighting. That would bring better contrast, improved HDR performance, and potentially higher brightness.
There’s also talk of higher refresh rates — maybe 90Hz or even 120Hz — bringing ProMotion-style smoothness to Apple’s standalone displays.
Apple’s New York event, with parallel sessions in London and Shanghai, is being described as a “special experience” rather than a traditional keynote. That wording suggests this may be more of a hands-on preview for media than a big livestream presentation.
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