Budget Macs? iPhone 17e? Apple’s Big March Surprise, Broken Down | One More Thing

Apple has scheduled a high-profile hardware event for March 4, signaling a strategic pivot toward the entry-level market and the next phase of its artificial intelligence integration. The event, themed as a "Special Apple Experience," is expected to unveil a series of budget-conscious devices, including a new line of MacBooks powered by mobile silicon and the highly anticipated iPhone 17e.

Key Points

• The introduction of a budget-friendly MacBook lineup featuring A18 chips, specifically designed to compete with Chromebooks in the education sector.
• The debut of the iPhone 17e, which is rumored to include the A19 processor and Apple’s proprietary C1X modem.
• A live demonstration of Apple Intelligence enhancements, focusing on a more personalized Siri developed in partnership with Google.
• Hardware refreshes for the standard iPad to enable support for Apple Intelligence across the entire tablet portfolio.

Expanding the Ecosystem: Budget MacBooks

In a move that could disrupt the low-cost laptop market, Apple appears ready to challenge the dominance of Chromebooks. Reports suggest the company is developing a new class of laptops that utilize iPhone chips, such as the A18 found in the iPhone 16 Pro, rather than the more expensive M-series processors. This shift in internal architecture, combined with potentially lower-cost materials, targets a price point below $500, a critical threshold for capturing the global education and enterprise markets.

Aesthetically, the devices may lean into Apple’s heritage. According to Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, these laptops may arrive in a variety of vibrant colors, including yellow, green, and blue. Industry analysts suggest the "glass disc" motifs on the event invitation may hint at a return to a polycarbonate or "liquid glass" aesthetic reminiscent of the iBook or the iPhone 5c.

The iPhone 17e and the Silicon Roadmap

The "e" series, Apple’s economical smartphone tier, is set for a significant internal overhaul. While the current iPhone 16e relies on the A18 chip, reports from Mac Otakara indicate that the iPhone 17e will jump to the A19 processor. This upgrade ensures that even Apple’s most affordable new handset can handle the heavy local processing required for Apple Intelligence.

Connectivity is also a primary focus for this release. The iPhone 17e is expected to feature Apple’s in-house C1X modem. Technical specifications suggest the C1X provides speeds up to two times faster than the original C1 modem. Furthermore, there is speculation that Apple will finally bring MagSafe compatibility to the "e" line, opening the budget device to a vast ecosystem of magnetic accessories and wireless charging standards previously reserved for flagship models.

A "Special Experience" Driven by Intelligence

The choice of the word "experience" in Apple’s invitation has led to widespread speculation regarding software functionality. Following an announcement in January, Apple has been working closely with Google to integrate sophisticated AI features into its operating systems. This event is expected to showcase a more proactive and personalized Siri, aiming to move the assistant beyond simple voice commands and into complex task orchestration.

"Please join us in person for a special Apple experience."

This demonstration comes at a vital time for the company, as it seeks to prove the efficacy of Apple Intelligence while avoiding the legal and technical pitfalls that have plagued other AI rollouts. By showcasing these features on both high-end and budget hardware, Apple intends to demonstrate a unified ecosystem where AI is a standard utility rather than a luxury add-on.

Market Timing and Strategic Implications

Holding this event on March 4 places Apple in direct competition for headlines with Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world’s largest mobile industry exhibition. This tactical scheduling ensures that while the rest of the industry gathers in Barcelona, Apple retains a singular focus on its hardware ecosystem. Beyond smartphones and laptops, the standard iPad is also due for a processor bump, a necessary step to bring the base-model tablet into the Apple Intelligence era.

As Apple prepares to take the stage, the focus remains on whether these budget devices can maintain the brand's premium reputation while aggressively pursuing market share. The success of the iPhone 17e and the new MacBook category will likely determine Apple’s growth trajectory in emerging markets and school districts for the remainder of 2025.