13" MacBook Core2 (Feb. 2008)

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Overview

Details

• introduced 2008.02.26 at US$1,099 (2.1 GHz white), US$1,299 (2.4 GHz white), and US$1,499 (2.4 GHz black)
• requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 or later
• CPU: 2.1/2.4 GHz Intel Core2 Duo (Penryn), soldered in place, no upgrade options
• bus: 800 MHz
• performance:
• • Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 3135 (2.4 GHz), 2617 (2.1 GHz)
• RAM: 1 GB or 2 GB (using matched modules), expandable to 4 GB using PC2-5300 DDR2 RAM
• Level 2 cache: 3 MB shared cache
• Graphics: Intel X3100 with resolution to 1920 x 1200 on external display (mini-DVI port), supports extended desktop.
• VRAM: 144 MB DDR2 SDRAM (shared with main memory)
• video out: DVI standard, VGA and S-video with optional adapter
• display: 13.3" glossy 1280 x 800 18-bit color active matrix
• supports 1280 x 800, 1152 x 720, 1024 x 768, 1024 x 640, 800 x 600, 800 x 500, 720 x 480, and 640 x 480 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, and 640 x 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 720 x 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio
• allows mirroring to external display and extended desktop mode

hard drive: 120 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA on 2.1 GHz model, 1260/250 GB 5400 rpm drive on 2.4 GHz models

Combo drive: reads DVDs at 8x, writes CD-R at 24x, writes CD-RW at 16x, reads CDs at 24x

SuperDrive: writes DVD±R at up to 8x, DVD±RW and DVD+R DL at 4x, reads DVDs at 8x, writes CD-R at 24x, writes CD-RW at 10x, reads CDs at 24x

floppy drive: external USB only

expansions bays: none

USB: 2 USB 2.0 ports, only 1 high-powered device device allowed

FireWire: 1 FW 400 port

IR port: one

ethernet: 10/100/gigabit

modem: optional v.92 56k external USB modem

WiFi: 802.11n AirPort Extreme built in

Bluetooth: BT 2.0 built in

ExpressCard/34 slots: none

size: 8.92 x 12.78 x 1.08" (227 x 325 x 27.5 mm)

weight: 5.2 pounds (2.36 kg)

Part no.: MB402 (2.1 GHz), MB403 (2.4 GHz, white), MB404 (black)

Online Resources

• Best online MacBook deals, updated biweekly.
• Where's the best MacBook value: Top, bottom, or middle?, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 2008.04.29. When it comes to MacBook and MacBook Pro value, the top-end model is usually the worst value, but which model holds the sweet spot?
• Mac growth 4x PC rate, USB power famine, Montevina chips not in new iMacs, and more, Mac News Review, 2008.05.02. Also reducing energy waste from peripherals, fixing the Mac's shortcomings, Open Computer shipping and reviewed, why Apple bought PA Semi, 5x the range for Time Capsule, Mac gaming mouse, and more.
• Firmware 1.5 screen blanking, air travel notebook stand, battery calibration, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.04.25. Also aluminum MacBook rumored, PowerBook converted to desktop, Apple IIgs converted to notebook, new battery tech may end explosions, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• Graphic glitches plague Penryn 'Books, MacBook Air reassuringly solid, 3D Notebook mouse, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.04.18. Also adding RAM to a MacBook Pro, notebook buyer's guides, falling in love with the MacBook Air, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• 18 bits can't display millions of colors, today's magic is different from yesterday's, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.04.16. Also more feedback on Mac browsers, slow dial-up Internet, and a SCSI-to-USB 2.0 solution.
• Mac benchmarks, firmware updates for all MacBooks, sleep-and-charge USB ports, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.04.11. Also troubleshooting the MacBook Air, keyboard protectors and sleeve cases for the MacBook Air, bargain 'Books from $150 to $3,099, and more.
• 18-bit video inadequate, restoring AppleWorks speed, Macintosh display info, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.04.09. Also problems importing AppleWorks drawings and a damaged, unfixable mail database in Outlook Express 5.
• Apple's MacBook hits a home run, Ryan Nelson, My Turn, 2008.04.08. It's beautiful, it's fast, it runs Mac OS X, and it's the best laptop under US$1,500.
• Millions vs. thousands of colors: What's the difference?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.04.07. Once again Apple is being sued over a Mac that can display 'only' 262,144 colors per pixel, not the millions it claims. Does it realy matter?
• First 320 GB 7200 rpm notebook drive, USB ports inside MacBook Air, Modbook impressive, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.03.28. Also Vista on MacBook Air, 256 GB SSD you can't afford, new BTO MacBook Pro 18 percent faster, MacBook impressive, solar laptop bag, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• Intel preps 4-core notebook CPUs, 5400 rpm 1.8" hard drive from Toshiba, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.03.21. Also Intel and Samsung comment on Solid State Drive reliability, speeding up sleep mode on MacBooks, Microsoft losing ground with portable users, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• MacBook Air tossed out with newspapers, Penryn MacBook and MBP reviews, MacBook Periscope, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.03.14. Also Intel shows 160 GB SSD, Microsoft losing ground, fix for MacBook Air overheating, mini surge protector with USB power, multiple monitors with MBP, bargain 'Books from $260 to $2,699, and more.
• Apple outsells Dell in education, 2008 MacBooks reviewed and benchmarked, migration tips, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.03.07. Also an open firmware fix for PowerBook RAM slot issues, wireless FAQ for PowerBooks, 256 GB MacBook Air possible for 2009, new Samsung and Travelstar drives, bargain 'Books from $229 to $2,699, and more.
• Buyer's remorse: Trading up a week-old MacBook, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.03.07. Less than a week after buying a new 2.2 GHz MacBook, Apple introduced new models. Is it worth the restock fee to move up?
• The black MacBook is a gem of a notebook, Ben Zalutsky, No Windows for Me, 2008.03.06. Apple's MacBook is fast, has great battery life, and is pretty well designed.
• Penryn advantages, Leopard on a G4 Cube, scanner advice, upgrading Sawtooth, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.03.05. Also why no LED backlight on the new MacBook, Final Cut mostly works with integrated graphics, and Diablo II problems under Leopard.
• When is 2.1 GHz slower than 2.0 GHz? When it's the new MacBook, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.02.28. It's completely counterintuitive, but the 2.1 GHz MacBook benchmarks slower than the 2.0 GHz model it replaces.
• New MacBook and MacBook Pro models, MacBook Air design 'wasteful', Penryn benchmarked, and more, The 'Book Review, 2008.02.29. Also hands on with the new MacBooks, MagSafe issues, MacBook Air temperature tests, cooling stands and notebook cases, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,349, and more.
• Mac again: Picking the right MacBook, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2008.02.27. The 5-year-old PowerBook needed replacing, but is the MacBook Air or the regular MacBook the better choice?
• The 2008 MacBook value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.02.28. Comparing close-out prices against the new white MacBooks, it's pretty close. But if you want a black MacBook, there are deals to be had.
• $18 USB WiFi adapter, AirPort flaw in last gen iBook, SuperDrive failure in MacBook, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.02.26. Also DVD-RAM for MacBooks, the quietest MacBook, aluminum PowerBooks and Mac OS 9, and expansion slots in affordable Macs.
• Too few USB ports in too many Macs, developer Leopard ran on Yikes, Mac IIfx RAM heaven, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.01.16. Also Macworld Expo disappoints, Pismo a great field computer, using flash memory in vintage Macs, and Word vs. Pages for academic writing.
• Restore stability to a troubled Mac with a clean system install, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 2008.01.15. If your Mac is misbehaving, the best fix just might be a fresh reinstallation of Mac OS X - don't forget to backup first.
• We need more than 2 USB ports in MacBooks, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.01.14. There's something wrong when you can't plug a thumb drive, mouse, and printer into a notebook computer at the same time.
• MacBook Pro 'absolutely flies', not just for pros; mobile 'Penryn' to debut in January; and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.12.07. Also 8 steps to buying a MacBook, MacBook nano "short of a sure thing" at Macworld Expo, more LED backlighting expected from Apple, Hitachi vs. Seagate 7200 rpm drives, bargain 'Books from $200 to $2,688, and more.
• iPods, notebooks, and other modern electronics more readily replaced than repaired, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2007.12.07. Whether it's an intermittent failure or a broken display cable, more often than not it's cheaper to replace a broken electronics device than repair it.
• Fast, compact, light, quiet, cool, long battery life, large screen, affordable: You can't have it all, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.12.05. Notebook design involves trade-offs. Small, light, and quiet means a smaller screen, lower capacity batteries, and a slower, cooler running CPU.
• Pros and cons of vampire video, another way to install Leopard, looking for EasyShare, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.29. More details on integrated graphics, going G4 on the cheap, more unsupported Leopard reports, the death of DropStuff, and more.
• Merely adequate: Why you want to avoid integrated graphics, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.11.10. A couple years ago, Apple laughingly pointed at Windows PCs with 'integrated Intel graphics' as substandard. Today low-end Macs all suffer from those barely adequate graphics processors.
• Beyond Google, 10 years on the G3, the Cube is not a Road Apple, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.13. Also the 64-bit advantage of Core2, OS 9 on a USB flash drive, sound problems since switching to Leopard, and 7200 rpm in an eMac.
• OS X MacBook 'blows Vista out of the water', PB 150 boots from Compact Flash, iDock laptop stands, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.10.12. Also Seagate Momentus hybrid hard drive speeds booting and extends battery life, Apple MagSafe airline adapter, calibrating your 'Book's battery, replacement batteries, bargain 'Books from $200 to $2,688, and more.
• External $100 Sony DVD burner likes Macs, Brian Gray, Fruitful Editing, 2007.10.10. The box and manual say nothing about Mac compatibility, but this 18x USB 2.0 DVD burner is plug-and-play (at least with Tiger).
• FastMac 8x SuperDrive and BurnAgain DVD: Fast and easy multisession disc burning, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.08. FastMac's 8x SuperDrive upgrade is remarkably fast compared with older PowerBook burners, and BurnAgain DVD makes it easy to append files to a previously burned CD or DVD.
• Premature Momentus failure in MacBook, superfast ExpressCard Compact Flash adapter, the LED future, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.10.05. Also which MacBook to buy, Battery Update 1.3 for 15" MacBook Pro, new bags, and bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,688.
• How does the MacBook compare to Sony, HP, Toshiba, and Lenovo offerings?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.09.18. Ars Technica compares four Windows notebooks in the same price range as Apple's MacBook. How does the $1,299 MacBook hold up against them?
• Region free DVD viewing on Macs and Windows PCs, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.09.07. There are three ways to get around region restrictions on your computer's DVD player: software, hardware, and extraction.
• I love the Mac mini, no iPhone in court, no region-free DVDs on MacBooks, and more, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.07.31. Also 15 years of ThinkPads, reliability and all-in-one devices, and thoughts on upgrading operating systems.
• Does a college freshman need to run Windows on a MacBook?, Al Poulin, My Turn, 2007.07.24. While you can run Windows on today's Intel-based Macs, is there any reason most college students would want to or need to?
• Is more RAM more important than matched RAM in the MacBook?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.05.25. Other World Computing has benchmarked 15 configurations with six programs and concluded that more memory is better than matched modules. Are they right?
• Ready to give the MacBook a second chance?, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.05.14. After three bad experiences with the original MacBook and a subsequent switch back to Windows, this lawyer is considering the Core2 Duo MacBook as his next computer.
• The MacBook is much more than just an iBook with 'Intel inside', Trevor Wale, One More Thing, 2007.05.10. With a bright widescreen display and the same dual-core CPU as the MacBook Pro, the MacBook is a nearly perfect notebook computer.
• 1 core, 2 cores, 4 cores, 8: How much difference does it make?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.04.10. Geekbench scores make it possible to compare the newest 3 GHz 8-core Mac Pro with the 1.5 GHz Core Solo Mac mini - and all the models in between.
• Cracked MacBook photos, first 64 GB solid state drive, overheating problems, and more, The 'Book Review, 2007.03.30. Also 8 laptop coolers reviewed and rated, upgrading a 12" PowerBook, troubleshooting power adaptors, ThermographX goes universal, bargain 'Books from $180 to $2,299, and more.
• 11 ways to optimize your Mac's performance, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.03.12. If your Mac is getting sluggish, here are 11 tips that can help restore its original performance.
• CrossOver: Run Windows apps on Intel Macs without Windows, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.02.28. If you need to run Windows apps on your Intel Mac once in a while, CrossOver may be the least expensive way to do so since it eliminates the need to buy a copy of Windows.
• Simple ergonomics for the road warrior, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.01.16. The benefits of external keyboards and mice, laptop stands, typing gloves, and anti-RSI software for notebook users.
• Core2 'Books more reliable, top 10 apps for 'Book users, notebook security, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.12.22. Also using iSight to photograph failed logins, rent a MacBook in France, safer laptop batteries, Core2 MacBook "best budget laptop", MacBook handle, keyboard lockout, bargain 'Books from $209 to $1,999, and more.
• 12" MacBook Pro rumored, useful MacBook freeware, Core2 provides 'brisk improvements', and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.12.08. Also MacBook Pro production halted, Sony "should have been quicker" with battery investigation, Quicky WiFi transciever now supports iBook, bargain 'Books from $209 to $2,199, and more.
• Getting notebook design 'just right', Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.12.05. Some notebooks have just the right mix of design, quality, and features, while others fall short in one or more categories.
• Core2 means cooler running MacBook, MacBook Core2 'a powerhouse', MacBook Pro Core2 really faster, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.11.22. Also Al Jazeera chooses Apple, Quicky wireless antenna doubles range, battery recycling, high tech repairs, and bargain 'Books from $200 to $750.
• Parallels revisited: Release version far more polished than beta, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.11.21. Parallels lets you run Windows or Linux without rebooting your Intel-based Mac, and it's made great strides since the beta came out earlier this year.
• To AppleCare or not to AppleCare?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.11.20. Consumer Reports, which generally recommends against extended warranties, says AppleCare makes sense. But does it?
• Core2 boosts MacBook by 7%, undervolting ups battery life and drops heat, firmware update for MB and MBP, more, The 'Book Review, 2006.11.17. Also 17" MacBook Pro delays, extended warranties, making EVDO work with Parallels, MacBook Core2 developer notes,$50 WiFi PC Card, bargain 'Books from $275 to $2,199, and more.
• MacBook goes Core2, Core vs. Core2 benchmarks, MacBook Pro hard drive transplant, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.11.10. Also the MacBook Pro's 3 GB memory limit explained, Apple's 200 GB hard drive, Hitachi's forthcoming 250 GB drive, a notebook stand with an integrated keyboard, bargain 'Books from $199 to $2199, and more.
• Improving value: Cost cutting done right, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.11.10. Sometimes a lower price means a cheap product, but sometimes it's the result of sensible cost cutting that increases product value.
• Pre-2006 software: The big reason you shouldn't buy an Intel Mac today, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.11.09. If you work with software that predates the Intel transition, you may be better off sticking with PowerPC Macs. And if you use classic apps, you definitely want to avoid Intel.
• Better laptop performance: What's the best upgrade?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.10.09. Memory, CPU, bus speed, and hard drives all impact performance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the most up time in the field?
• Icons, status symbols, and the MacBook, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.08.03. The MacBook combined the best of PowerBook and iBook designs in a fresh new way that's nearly perfect.
• 7 tools for keeping your laptop (uh, notebook) cool, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.24. A quick look at the Podium CoolPad, ChillMat, ChillHubs, Laptop Desk, Xpad, iLap, and iBreeze - seven stands designed to keep you 'Books running cooler.
• Can Apple's consumer MacBook really replace two PowerBooks and a ThinkPad?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.07.06. One user's experience replacing a 12" PowerBook G4, 15" PowerBook G4, and IBM ThinkPad X32 with a black MacBook.
• The amazing auto-muting headphone jack, Dan Moren, MacUser, 2006.07.01. If you have your MacBook's volume muted and plug in headphones, it turns on the sound - and mutes it when you unplug the headphones.
• MacBook replaces Dell laptop, can outperform Power Mac G5/2.7 GHz dual, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2006.06.30. After two years, the Dell was on its last legs, and Apple's bundled apps made the MacBook a compelling choice. But what's really impressive is the performance of universal apps.
• Drive matters, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.06.14. There's more to picking the right hard drive than size, spindle speed, buffer size, and price. But how can a 5400 rpm drive ever outperform a 7200 rpm drive?
• Upgraded PowerBook vs. new MacBook: Which makes more sense?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.12. Especially for serious gamers, the older PowerBooks with their graphics processors and dedicated memory run circles around the low-end Intel GMA950 graphics of the MacBook.
• Power strategies for using your 'Book in the field: Batteries and AC adapters, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.05. One or two extra batteries and at least one spare AC adapter can be essential when you're traveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your 'Book.
• Matte vs. glossy screens, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.06.05. Also how DiskWarrior can save the day even when it 'fails', thoughts on keyboards for those with neuropathy in their hands, Norton SystemWorks for Mac, and more on OS X browsers.
• Apple nailed it: All you need to know about the MacBook, The 'Book Review, 2006.05.26. Reviewers find Apple's new MacBook nearly perfect, the clever upgrade bay, a matte screen petition, and more.
• Smart design and easy drive replacement will make the MacBook a winner, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2006.05.19. Although the graphics processor is far from state-of-the-art and the screen is very reflective, everything else about MacBook points to it becoming a huge success.
• And we all shine on, John Siracusa, ars technica, 2006.05.16. "So, what's the big deal? Consider some synonyms for the word "glossy." Gleaming. Shiny. Reflective. Now you're getting it."
• The black tax, Derik DeLong, MacUser.com, 2006.05.16. "Surely, I'm missing something that makes the black version worth $200 [more]."
• Computer benchmarks and other baloney: Don't expect 2-4x performance from Intel Macs, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.02.06. The Intel Macs are faster than the models they replace, but only with software written for them. With older software, they're actually slower than last year's Macs.
• Booting an Intel iMac from an external drive, Jonathan Rentzsch, TidBITS, 2006.01.30. Intel Macs use a different partitioning scheme (GPT) than older Macs (APM), so you can't simply update an existing drive - your must repartition it with GPT.
• Comparing Apples to Apples: When is Macintel faster? When does PowerPC make more sense?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.01.29. Benchmarks show the Intel Core Duo flies through native code but plods through PowerPC programs. Will PowerPC or Intel give you the more productive workflow?
• Macintel stumbling block: Sometimes you need Classic, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 2006.01.25. As nice as the new Intel Macs seem to be, the lack of any Classic environment makes it impossible for some people to upgrade.
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