macOS 26.3 Reveals Low-Cost MacBook and Two New Studio Displays Ahead of March 4

Apple has quietly confirmed several upcoming products in the final public build of macOS Tahoe 26.3, including a long-rumored entry-level MacBook and two new Studio Display models.



The findings surface just weeks before Apple hosts a media event in New York City on March 4. According to Macworld, kernel extensions in the final public build of the recently released macOS 26.3 update identify three unreleased devices by their internal codenames: J700, J427, and J527. These identifiers align directly with an extensive prototype leak from late last year.


The J700 identifier points to a low-cost MacBook designed to sit below the MacBook Air in Apple's laptop lineup. The entry-level model is expected to use the same A18 Pro chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro, making it the first Apple silicon Mac powered by an A-series processor. Benchmark testing indicates the A18 Pro slightly outperforms the original M1 chip, providing more than enough power for the casual and educational users Apple intends to target. The laptop is rumored to feature an aluminum chassis and a display measuring slightly under 13 inches. Pricing is expected to land between $699 and $799, though some analysts believe it could start as low as $599, allowing Apple to compete more aggressively with Chromebooks in the education and enterprise markets.

The remaining two identifiers, J427 and J527, correspond to new iterations of the Studio Display. Previous code leaks indicated the next-generation monitor will bring ProMotion support with a 120Hz refresh rate and High Dynamic Range capabilities to Apple's consumer desktop ecosystem. The hardware is also expected to house an A19 chip to manage on-device tasks like Spatial Audio and webcam image processing. The existence of two model numbers suggests Apple is preparing more than one version of the display, possibly a larger size option or a lower-cost model with scaled-back features.

Absent from the macOS 26.3 kernel extensions are references to other expected hardware upgrades. Tight retail inventory has fueled expectations that Apple will soon refresh the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, alongside possible updates to the MacBook Air and Mac Studio. While those systems are not explicitly listed in this specific software build, Apple can easily enable support for them through a minor point update released closer to launch.

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