Apple’s next big reveal might have quietly surfaced inside its own software. A fresh leak tied to macOS 26.3 has hinted at unreleased hardware, just days before the company’s March 4 event. Developers digging through the update reportedly found new device identifiers buried in system files, pointing to products that Apple has not officially announced yet. The most interesting part is that these references suggest a more affordable MacBook could finally be in the works, alongside refreshed Studio Displays. If accurate, this could mark one of Apple’s most important hardware expansions in years.
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macOS 26.3, according to a Gizmochina report, contains references to a device internally labelled J700, which is expected to be much-talked-about new entry level MacBook. For years, Apple’s most affordable laptop has been the MacBook Air, typically priced well above what most would call budget territory. If this new model lands between $599 and $799, it would be a serious shift in strategy.
To hit that price point, Apple is also expected turn to the Apple A18 Pro chip instead of its usual M series silicon. That might raise eyebrows at first, but early performance expectations suggest the A18 Pro could match or even edge past the original M1 in certain tasks, while remaining highly power efficient.
For everyday workloads such as browsing, streaming, writing, coding basics or light editing, this setup could be more than capable. Rumours also point to a roughly 13 inch display, aluminium body and possibly brighter colour finishes. If true, this could be Apple’s most accessible MacBook in a long time.
The leak does not stop at laptops. Two additional identifiers, believed to be J427 and J527, are thought to reference updated versions of the Apple Studio Display. While exact specifications remain unclear, speculation suggests refreshed 27 inch 5K panels could be in development.
There is also talk of mini LED backlighting, which would improve contrast levels and HDR performance compared to the current model. Higher brightness and better colour accuracy would make the display more appealing to creators and professionals. Some reports even hint at higher refresh rates, potentially bringing smoother visuals closer to what Apple offers with ProMotion on other devices.
All eyes are now on Apple’s March 4 event, described as a special experience rather than a typical keynote. If these macOS clues are accurate, we could see Apple quietly expand both its MacBook lineup and its display portfolio in one go.
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