MacBook
From Mac Guides
The MacBook is Apple's consumer notebook line. It was first released on May 16th 2006, and replaced Apple's previous low-end laptop line, the iBook, and also the 12" PowerBook G4. The MacBook was the Apple's first consumer notebook to use Intel processors.
The MacBooks come in three models; the two cheaper ones are white, while the high end MacBook comes in a black enclosure.
Contents |
Rev. E
Overview
Released on February 26, 2008 the Rev E Macbook was released. 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) | |||
| 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) | |||
| 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 2 GB (2x1 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.
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 | ||
Notes
- The MacBook was the first portable Mac to use an integrated graphics processor, following its use in the Intel based Mac mini. Integrated Graphics can often lead to less performance when compared to the dedicated graphics cards found on the MacBook Pro. The Macbook does, however, now support desktop spanning, and supports an external display of up to 1920 x 1200 using an optional Mini-DVI to DVI or Mini-DVI to VGA adapter. The Macbook also still supports mirroring, but only at up to 1280 x 800.
- Performance:
- Issues:
- Some MacBooks reportedly shipped with their rear vent blocked by a piece of plastic. Removing the plastic dramatically lowers operating temperature.[1]
- Some MacBooks experienced a 'mooing' sound when the processor reached a certain temperature range. This was fixed in a firmware update.
- Some MacBooks experienced random shutdown problems. This was fixed in a later firmware update. [2]
- If you equip a white 2.0 GHz MacBook with the same 80 GB hard drive as the black model, you can get it for $150 USD less. If color is irrelevant to you, a fully equipped white MacBook is better value.
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.
See Also
Links
| Models with Intel processors | |
|---|---|
|
iMac | Mac Pro | Mac mini | MacBook | MacBook Air | MacBook Pro | Xserve | |
