MacBook

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A Rev. A black MacBook
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A Rev. A black MacBook

The MacBook is Apple's consumer notebook line. It was first released on May 16, 2006. The MacBook replaced Apple's previous low-end laptop line, the iBook, and also the 12" PowerBook G4. The original Rev. A MacBook was Apple's first consumer notebook to use Intel processors.

In October, 2008, Apple introduced a unibody version of the MacBook but retained a low-end polycarbonate version. At WWDC 2009, an improved unibody version was merged into the MacBook Pro line. Now Apple offers only a single MacBook model, and it has a polycarbonate enclosure.

Contents

Rev. H

Overview

On May 27, 2009, Apple quietly tweaked the polycarbonate MacBook once again. CPU speed increased to 2.13 GHz. RAM speed increased to 800 MHz DDR2. The standard hard disk was increased to 160GB. The unibody MacBooks remained unchanged, but less than two weeks later Apple upgraded all the unibody MacBooks and rebranded them to join the MacBook Pro line. That leaves only a single MacBook model.

Rev. F (Late 2008) PolycarbonateRev. G (Early 2009) Polycarbonate Rev. H (Mid 2009) Polycarbonate
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.13 GHz
800 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 cache1066 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 cache
Memory 1 GB (2x 512 MB) 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM2 GB (2x 1GB) 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM2 GB (2x 1GB) 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Storage 120 GB with BTO options for up to 250 GB at 5,400 rpm120 GB with BTO options for up to 320 GB at 5,400 rpm160 GB with BTO options for up to 500 GB at 5,400 rpm
Graphics Intel GMA X3100 NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
144 MB shared memory256 MB shared memory
Battery Life 4.5 hours5 hours
Wireless Bluetooth 2.0Bluetooth 2.1

Rev. G

Overview

On January 20, 2009, Apple quietly tweaked the polycarbonate MacBook. The FSB speed increased to 1066 MHz, and Apple replaced the Intel GMA X3100 graphics chipset with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M. Both these changes matched the low-end unibody MacBook. In addition, Apple slightly reduced CPU speed to 2.0 GHz (matching the low-end unibody) but kept the 667 MHz DDR2 RAM while increasing standard RAM to 2GB. The unibody MacBooks remained unchanged.

Rev. F

Overview

After several months of rumors, accurate predictions and real photographs, the Rev. F MacBook was finally released at Apple's notebook event on October 14, 2008. Although Apple still sold the polycarbonate model, the new mid-range and high-end models included a new "unibody" aluminium enclosure. This design allowed Apple to produce a slightly slimmer and lighter notebook. Although a slower processor clock speed is used on the low-end unibody compared to the polycarbonate model, the faster FSB and RAM more than compensates for the difference.

After listening to the complaints about Intel's GMA X3100 being too slow, Apple decided to include the 9400M GT with 256 MB shared VRAM running on a NVIDIA chipset in the unibody MacBooks. According to Apple, the 9400M is up to 5x faster than the GMA X3100. DDR3 RAM was also included for the first time and RAM upgrades were made much more affordable through Apple than they have been in the past.

Controversially, Apple dropped the FireWire port in the unibody MacBooks, while the polycarbonate MacBook continued to offer FireWire 400. Also in the unibodies (only) Apple replaced the Mini-DVI port with a new Mini DisplayPort.

The single Revision F polycarbonate model is identical to the Revision E low-end white MacBook, but with a SuperDrive upgrade. Apple dropped the U.S. price for this polycarbonate model to $999, making it the lowest priced MacBook ever.

Specifications

PolycarbonateLow-end AluminiumHigh-end Aluminium
Price (USD) $999 $1,299 $1,599
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo at 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.4 GHz
800 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 cache1066 MHz, 3 MB L2 cache
Memory 1 GB (2x 512 MB) 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM2 GB (2x 1GB) 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Supports up to 4 GB (2x 2 GB) (Unofficially up to 6 GB)
Storage 120 GB Serial ATA at 5,400-rpm 160 GB Serial ATA at 5,400-rpm 250 GB Serial ATA at 5,400-rpm
BTO options for up to 250 GB at 5,400 rpmBTO options for up to 320 GB at 5,400 rpm or 128 GB SSD
Graphics Intel GMA X3100 NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
144 MB shared memory256 MB shared memory
Media 8x Double-layer SuperDrive
Wireless Airport Extreme (802.11n) and Bluetooth

Rev. E

Overview

The Rev. E MacBook was released on February 26, 2008. It was updated to the Penryn chip and the processor speed was increased by 100 to 200 Mhz across the board. Additionally larger hard drives were added as standard to all models, and the two high end models now come with 2 GB RAM as standard.

The L2 cache is now 3 MB (down from 4 MB), but higher clock speeds and more efficient architechture make sure performance is still improved over the previous revision.

Specifications

Low-end (White)High-end (White)High-end (Black)
Price (USD) $1,099 $1,299 $1,499
Color White Black
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.4 GHz
800 MHz system bus, 3 MB shared L2 cache
Memory 1 GB (2x 512 MB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM 2 GB (2x 1 GB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Supports up to 4 GB (2x2 GB) (Unofficially up to 6 GB)
Storage 120 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm 160 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm 250 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm
BTO option of up to 250 GB 5,400-rpm
Graphics Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
Media 24x Combo Drive 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Display 13.3" glossy widescreen TFT - 1280x800 resolution
Audio Optical digital input/line in and Optical digital output/headphone out
Ports One FireWire 400, two USB 2.0, 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet
Wireless Airport Extreme (802.11n) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Weight and Dimensions 5.0 lb (2.27 kg), 1.08 inches thick (2.75 cm)
Other Front Row and built in iSight

Rev. D

Overview

Released on November 1, 2007, the Rev D Macbook was a modest update. It was updated to the Santa Rosa architecture, the processor speed was increased slightly in the two high end models, and the Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor was added.

Specifications

Low-end (White)High-end (White)High-end (Black)
Price (USD) $1,099 $1,299 $1,499
Color White Black
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.2 GHz
800 MHz system bus, 4 MB shared L2 cache
Memory 1 GB (2x 512 MB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Supports up to 4 GB (2x2 GB) (Unofficially up to 6 GB)
Storage 80 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm 120 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm 160 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm
BTO option of up to 250 GB 5,400-rpm
Graphics Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
Media 24x Combo Drive 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Display 13.3" glossy widescreen TFT - 1280x800 resolution
Audio Optical digital input/line in and Optical digital output/headphone out
Ports One FireWire 400, two USB 2.0, 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet
Wireless Airport Extreme (802.11n) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Weight and Dimensions 5.0 lb (2.27 kg), 1.08 inches thick (2.75 cm)
Other Front Row, built in iSight and Apple remote

Rev. C

Overview

Released on May 15, 2007, the Rev. C MacBook was a modest update. The MacBook now came with faster processors, larger hard drives and more RAM as standard. However, it still included the GMA 950 which meant that despite the processor upgrade, a MacBook Pro would still be substantially better at graphic intensive applications.

Specification

Low-end (White)High-end (White)High-end (Black)
Price (USD) $1,099 $1,299 $1,499
Color White Black
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.16 GHz
667 MHz system bus, 4 MB shared L2 cache
Memory 1 GB (2x 512 MB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Supports up to 3 GB (1x2 GB, 1x1 GB)
Storage 80 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm 120 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm 160 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm
BTO option of up to 200 GB 4,200-rpm
Graphics Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
Media 24x Combo Drive 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Display 13.3" glossy widescreen TFT - 1280x800 resolution
Audio Optical digital input/line in and Optical digital output/headphone out
Ports One FireWire 400, two USB 2.0, 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet
Wireless Airport Extreme (802.11n) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Weight and Dimensions 5.2 lb (2.36 kg), 1.08 inches thick (2.75 cm)
Other Front Row, built in iSight and Apple remote

Notes

  • Most non-US countries received a price drop alongside this revision.

Rev. B

Overview

Released on November 8, 2006, the Rev. B MacBook included Core 2 Duo processors and featured larger hard disks in the two 2.0 GHz models.

Specifications

Low-end (White)High-end (White)High-end (Black)
Price (USD) $1,099 $1,299 $1,499
Color White Black
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo at 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.0 GHz
667 MHz system bus, 2 MB shared L2 cache 667 MHz system bus, 4 MB shared L2 cache
Memory 512 MB (2x 256 MB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM 1 GB (2x 512 MB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Supports up to 2 GB (2x1 GB)
Storage 60 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm 80 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm 120 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm
BTO option of up to 200 GB 4,200-rpm
Graphics Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
Media 24x Combo Drive 6x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Display 13.3" glossy widescreen TFT - 1280x800 resolution
Audio Optical digital input/line in and Optical digital output/headphone out
Ports One FireWire 400, two USB 2.0, 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet
Wireless Airport Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR

Airport upgradable to draft-N spec with firmware upgrade

Weight and Dimensions 5.2 lb (2.36 kg), 1.08 inches thick (2.75 cm)
Other Front Row, built in iSight and Apple remote

Rev. A

Overview

The original MacBook was released on May 16th, 2006. This revision sported an Intel Core Duo processor, which was touted as a major improvement over the G4 used in its predecessor, and came in a 13.3" widescreen enclosure. Front Row and an Apple remote were now included along with Apple's Photo Booth software.

The MacBook was the first portable Mac to use integrated graphics, following its use in the Intel based Mac mini. Integrated Graphics can often lead to less performance when compared to the dedicated graphics cards such as those found on the MacBook Pro. 3D performance was found to be worse than that of the last revision of iBook G4 which included a dedicated graphics card.

Being a first generation machine, it suffered from some issues such as fan and heat issues which were later fixed with firmware updates. Pieces of plastic were also found to be blocking the MacBook's rear vents on a few models which greatly increased operating temperature.

Specifications

Low-end (White)High-end (White)High-end (Black)
Price (USD) $1,099 $1,299 $1,499
Color White Black
Processor Intel Core Duo at 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo at 2.0 GHz
667 MHz system bus, 2 MB shared L2 cache
Memory 512 MB (2x256 MB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Supports up to 2 GB (2x1 GB)
Storage 60 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm 80 GB Serial ATA at 5400-rpm
BTO option of up to 120 GB
Graphics Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
Media Combo Drive 4x SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Display 13.3" glossy widescreen TFT - 1280x800 resolution
Audio Optical digital input/line in and Optical digital output/headphone out
Ports One FireWire 400, two USB 2.0, 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet
Wireless Airport Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Weight and Dimensions 5.2 lb (2.36 kg), 1.08 inches thick (2.75 cm)
Other Front Row, built in iSight and Apple remote

History

Main article: History of MacBook Rumors

On June 6th, 2005, Apple announced that they would be transitioning the Macintosh to Intel Processors. The news came as a surprise to many. In the months prior to Macworld San Francisco 2006, an Intel based iBook was expected to be announced at the expo, however it was not until May that the renamed line was released. The aluminum MacBook was replaced with a cheaper 13 inch MacBook Pro at WWDC 2009. ]

See Also

Links


Models with Intel processors

iMac | Mac Pro | Mac mini | MacBook | MacBook Air | MacBook Pro | Xserve