Apple's March 4 Event: A $699 MacBook & $599 iPhone?!

Wait... Apple Making Budget Stuff?!

So Apple just announced this "special experience" event happening on March 4 at 9 AM ET, with simultaneous launches in NYC, London, and Shanghai. And honestly? The rumors coming out are looking absolutely WILD.

For what feels like the first time ever, Apple's actually making products that normal people can afford without selling a kidney. No cap. This isn't a drill.

The $699 MacBook: Yes, Really

Yes, you read that correctly. $699 for a MacBook. Not a typo. Not some refurbished deal. Not a scam listing on eBay. An actual brand new MacBook from Apple for $699.

Here's what we know so far based on leaks and rumors:

The Specs That Actually Matter:

• Chip: A18 Pro (literally the exact same processor that's in the iPhone 16 Pro)
• Screen: 12.9 inches of crisp display goodness
• Colors: Fun ones like blue, pink, and yellow (giving major iMac vibes)
• Storage: 256GB (actually usable space, not some 64GB joke)
• RAM: 8GB (enough for real multitasking)

Why It's Actually Good (Not Just Cheap)

The A18 Pro chip is lowkey insane. It's legitimately as fast as the M1 chip that's currently powering regular MacBook Airs that cost $999. So you're getting real, genuine Mac performance for $300 LESS than the cheapest MacBook Air on Apple's site right now.

That's not a small difference. That's "I can actually afford this" territory.

Who's This Actually For?

Students who need a laptop that doesn't suck but can't drop $1,000+ on a computer. People who just need something reliable for browsing, emails, streaming, and light work. Anyone who's been eyeing a Mac for years but the price tag always made them close the tab and cry a little.

Basically, it's the entry point into the Apple ecosystem we've all been waiting for since forever.

The Catch (Because There's Always One)

You're probably only getting 1-2 USB-C ports, and no Thunderbolt support. But let's be real here. If you're not connecting to six external monitors and running a professional video editing studio, you're completely fine.

This is a laptop for normal humans doing normal human things. And for that? It's more than enough.

iPhone 17e - The $599 Budget iPhone That Doesn't Feel Budget

The Budget iPhone Just Got a MAJOR Glow Up

Apple's budget iPhone line has always been... okay. Functional but clearly the cheaper option. The iPhone 17e? It's looking like a completely different story.

What's New and Actually Exciting:

• Dynamic Island: Finally! No more ugly notch on the cheap iPhone. You get the pill-shaped cutout that actually looks modern.
• A19 chip: Super fast processor that's AI-ready for all the Apple Intelligence features coming down the pipeline.
• 48MP main camera: Huge upgrade for night photos and overall image quality. No more grainy mess when the sun goes down.
• 18MP selfie camera with Center Stage: Auto-follows you during FaceTime calls so you're not constantly repositioning your phone.
• MagSafe wireless charging: FINALLY arriving on the budget model. No more fumbling with cables.
• 256GB storage: Literally doubled from last year's base model. Your photos and apps will actually fit.

Color Options:

Black, white, and possibly lavender. Clean, simple, and not trying too hard.

Why This Actually Matters

Before this, cheap iPhones felt... cheap. The design was older, the cameras were mediocre, and you could just tell it was the budget option. The iPhone 17e? It's basically a regular iPhone 17 but $200 less expensive.

You get the pill cutout that makes it look current. You get legitimately good cameras that won't embarrass you. You get MagSafe so you can use all those cool accessories. That's the whole vibe Apple's going for here.

It's not "cheap." It's "affordable without compromising the experience."

What Else Is Probably Coming?

The budget devices are stealing the spotlight, but Apple's also expected to refresh other products:

• MacBook Pro & Air: Getting upgraded to M5 chips. Faster performance, better efficiency, but nothing dramatically different from what we already have.
• iPads: iPad Air getting the M4 chip, regular iPad possibly getting A18 or A19 processors.
• Maybe: New Studio Display, updated Apple TV, refreshed HomePod mini. But these are less confirmed.

Why This Is Actually Historic

Apple has NEVER done this before. A $699 laptop from the company that regularly charges $1,299 for entry-level devices? That's Chromebook territory. That's budget Windows laptop pricing.

They're literally saying "okay fine, we'll make stuff everyone can actually buy without taking out a small loan."

For students who are broke but desperately want to get into the Apple ecosystem without eating instant noodles for six months? This is your moment.

For people who are tired of cheap Windows laptops that start falling apart after two years and constantly need rebooting? Here's your exit strategy.

For anyone who's ever walked into an Apple Store, looked at the prices, laughed nervously, and left? March 4 might actually change that.

When Can You Actually Get These?

• Event Date: March 4, 9 AM ET (simultaneous in NYC, London, Shanghai)
• Pre-orders: Probably starting March 6 or 7
• In Stores: Mid to late March is the likely timeline

So if you're planning to grab one, mark your calendar and maybe set up some alerts. These could sell out fast, especially if the hype is real.

The Bottom Line

Apple's really out here making affordable tech without making it look, feel, or perform like cheap garbage. The MacBook has an iPhone chip inside but legitimately performs like the real thing. The iPhone 17e has flagship features at prices that won't make your wallet weep.

If you've been waiting to buy a Mac or iPhone but couldn't justify the ridiculous prices Apple usually charges? March 4 might genuinely be your day.

This could be the event that finally makes Apple products accessible to people who aren't tech YouTubers or investment bankers.

So What Are You Actually Going to Do?

Are you seriously considering grabbing that $699 MacBook? Does the iPhone 17e at $599 finally make sense for your budget? Or are you holding out to see what the reviews say before jumping in?

And for anyone who's been loyal to Windows or Android because of pricing, does this change your mind at all? Would you actually consider switching to Apple if the price barrier wasn't so insane?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let's see who's actually planning to line up (virtually) on March 4 and who's staying skeptical until we see the real thing!