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White & Black MacBook Q&A - Published May 31, 2009
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What are the differences between the White "Mid-2009" MacBook Core 2 Duo and the White "Early 2009" MacBook that it replaced?
Please note that all models mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The "Mid-2009" MacBook was replaced by the "Late 2009/Unibody" MacBook on October 20, 2009.
Externally, the quietly released "Mid-2009" and "Early 2009" MacBook models -- the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.13 13-Inch (White - Mid-2009) and MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13-Inch (White - Early 2009), respectively -- essentially are identical.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.
The "Mid-2009" MacBook Core 2 Duo uses the exact same relatively compact and easy to upgrade white polycarbonate case as previous MacBook models, and has the same 13.3-inch "glossy" widescreen display with a 1280x800 native resolution, "flush against the bed" keyboard design, and "catchless" magnetic latch. All of the "White and Black" MacBook systems share the same "scrolling Trackpad" with "two-finger click" capability, integrated iSight video camera, and "MagSafe" power connector.
Connectivity is identical -- AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire "400" port, mini-DVI out (supports an external display up to 1920x1200 pixels), and optical digital audio in/out.
Internally, the "Mid-2009" model has modest improvements -- a faster processor, faster RAM, and a larger hard drive. The "Mid-2009" model has a 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo (P7450) processor (up from a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo, P7350), 2 GB of 800 MHz PC2-6400 DDR2 SDRAM (up from 2 GB of 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM), and a 160 GB hard drive (up from a 120 GB hard drive).
Apple also officially claims that battery life for the "Mid-2009" MacBook has increased to 5 hours, up from 4.5 hours for the "Early 2009" model.
These differences are summarized below:
| MacBook: | "Early 2009" 2.0 13" | "Mid-2009" 2.13 13" |
|---|---|---|
| Processor: | 2.0 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (P7350) | 2.13 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (P7450) |
| System Bus: | 1066 MHz | 1066 MHz |
| Level 2 Cache: | 3 MB | 3 MB |
| Standard RAM: | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| RAM Type: | 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 | 800 MHz PC2-6400 DDR2 |
| Int. Graphics: | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M |
| Shared VRAM: | 256 MB* | 256 MB* |
| Hard Drive: | 120 GB | 160 GB |
| Optical Drive: | 8X DL "SuperDrive" | 8X DL "SuperDrive" |
| Battery Life: | 4.5 Hours† | 5 Hours† |
| Apple Part No: | MB881LL/A | MC240LL/A |
| Original Price: | US$999 | US$999 |
* Both models "borrow" memory from the system for video functionality. Minimum graphics usage is 256 MB.
† Battery life as officially reported by Apple using a "wireless productivity" test.
Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook model to any other G3 or later Mac.
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