Apple MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13" (Unibody) Specs

Identifiers: Late 2008 Aluminum - MB466LL/A - MacBook5,1 - A1278 - 2254

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With a black and silver design reminiscent of the Aluminum iMac models, the "Unibody" MacBook "Core 2 Duo" (Late 2008/Aluminum) models introduced an all new case design milled from a single block of aluminum providing greater strength, reduced weight, and a superior finish than previous systems.

The Apple MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13-Inch (Unibody - Late 2008/Aluminum) features a 45 nm "Penryn" 2.0 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (P7350), with two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 3 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, 2 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) installed in pairs (two 1 GB modules), a 160 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive", a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M "graphics processor with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory", integrated iSight, and an LED-backlit 13.3" widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display (1280x800 native resolution).

Connectivity includes AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, optical digital/analog audio in/out, and a new "Mini DisplayPort" that supports an external display at 2560x1600. It does not include a Firewire "400" port.

In addition to the new case design, compared to the "Early 2008/Penryn" models that these replaced, the "Unibody" line offers a new "no button" glass "multi-touch" trackpad with support for new "four finger" gestures and programmable "zones", a faster architecture with a faster system bus, faster memory, and a faster graphics processor, as well as an LED-backlit display. The higher-end model -- the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (Unibody) -- also has a backlit keyboard, but this model does not.

Also see:

• What are the differences between the "Unibody" MacBook Core 2 Duo models?
• What are the differences between the "Unibody" MacBook Core 2 Duo models and the "Early 2008/Penryn" MacBook notebooks that they replaced?

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• Tech Specs
• Ports
• Global Original Prices
• Popular Q&As

Tech Specs

Click on a category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. Asterisks (*) reference data in details fields.

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Introduction Date:

October 14, 2008

Discontinued Date:

June 8, 2009

Details:

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. Also see: All Macs introduced in 2008.

Processors:

1 (2 Cores)

Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort.

Geekbench 2 (32):

2804

Geekbench 2 (64):

3124

Details:

Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the MacBook5,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (32):

1110

Geekbench 3 (32):

1904

Details:

These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 32-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the MacBook5,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (64):

1196

Geekbench 3 (64):

2050

Details:

These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 64-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the MacBook5,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 4 (SC):

1338

Geekbench 4 (MC):

2190

Details:

These Geekbench 4 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 4 benchmarks are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 4 user submissions for Macs with the MacBook5,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 4 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 5 (SC):

270

Geekbench 5 (MC):

469

Details:

These Geekbench 5 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 5 benchmarks for the Mac are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 5 user submissions for Macs with the MacBook5,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 5 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Processor Speed:

2.0 GHz

Processor Type:

Core 2 Duo (P7350)

Details:

*The Intel "Core 2 Duo" 45 nm "Penryn" (P7350) processor includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Also see: How much faster is the "Unibody" MacBook Core 2 Duo compared to the "Early 2008 Penryn" MacBook Core 2 Duo?

Turbo Boost:

N/A

Custom Speeds:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

Also see: Can you upgrade the processor in the "Unibody" MacBook?

System Bus Speed:

1066 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

2.0 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

1066 MHz frontside bus.

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI

EFI Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

N/A

L1 Cache:

32k/32k

L2/L3 Cache:

3 MB (on chip)

Details:

Includes a 3 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed.

RAM Type:

PC3-8500 DDR3

Min. RAM Speed:

1066 MHz

Details:

Supports 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM. Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Unibody" MacBook? How much RAM of what type does it support?

Standard RAM:

2 GB

Maximum RAM:

8 GB*

Details:

2 GB of RAM is installed as two 1 GB modules, no slots free. *Apple officially supports a maximum of 4 GB of RAM. Originally, this model was only unofficially capable of stably supporting 6 GB of RAM, but as confirmed by site sponsor OWC, it is capable of supporting 8 GB of RAM if updated to Boot ROM Version MB51.007D.B03 and running MacOS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" or higher. In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this MacBook. In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells memory and other upgrades for this MacBook. In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this MacBook. In Australia, site sponsor Upgradeable sells memory and other upgrades for this MacBook. Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

2

Details:

Apple recommends that one install RAM in matched pairs for optimum performance.

Video Card:

GeForce 9400M

VRAM Type:

Integrated

Details:

This model has a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M that shares memory with the system. Also see: How much faster is the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor in the "Unibody" MacBook models compared to the Intel GMA X3100 and GMA 950 in earlier models? Is gaming performance improved?

Standard VRAM:

256 MB

Maximum VRAM:

256 MB

Details:

Apple reports that "memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 256 MB".

Built-in Display:

13.3" Widescreen

Native Resolution:

1280x800

Details:

13.3" color widescreen LED-backlit TFT active-matrix "glossy" display with a 1280 by 800 native resolution. Apple reports that it also supports "1152 by 720, 1024 by 768, 1024 by 640, 800 by 600, 800 by 500, 720 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; [and] 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio". In the UK, site sponsor ALB Repair offers component-level logic board repair, display repair, and other repair services for this MacBook. No fix, no fee! In Spain, site sponsor iRepairs provides affordable repair and data recovery services. In-person and by mail repair services include the display, battery, keyboard, motherboard, and more for this MacBook. In Hong Kong, site sponsor iCertified provides well-reviewed repair services for the display, logic board, battery, water damage, and more, all with a 180-day warranty; free diagnostics and estimates; and optional pickup and delivery for this MacBook.

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring

2nd Max. Resolution:

2560x1600

Details:

The maximum resolution supported on an external display is 2560x1600.

Standard Storage:

160 GB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

5400 RPM

Details:

Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the "Unibody" MacBook? In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this MacBook. In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells storage upgrades for this MacBook. In Australia, site sponsor Upgradeable sells storage upgrades for this MacBook. Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

Storage Dimensions:

2.5" (9.5 mm)

Storage Interface:

Serial ATA (3 Gb/s)

Details:

This model supports a single SATA II (3 Gb/s) 2.5" hard drive or SSD that is up to 9.5 mm thick.

Standard Optical:

8X DL "SuperDrive"

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

Apple reports that this slot-loading "SuperDrive" (DVD�R DL/DVD�RW/CD-RW) has a maxium write speed of "8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW" and a maximum read speed of "8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, and DVD+RW; 24x CD". Site sponsor Other World Computing offers a "Data Doubler" mounting kit that may be of interest. It makes it simple to install a second hard drive or SSD in the optical drive bay of this MacBook. Also see: How do you use the Data Doubler to replace the optical drive with a second hard drive or SSD?

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

10/100/1000Base-T

Details:

External Apple USB Modem (56.6k v.92) available for US$49.

Standard AirPort:

802.11a/b/g/n

Standard Bluetooth:

2.1+EDR

Details:

AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard. Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?

USB Ports:

2 (2.0)

Firewire Ports:

None

Details:

Two 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports.

Expansion Slots:

None

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

No expansion slots or bays provided. In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a wide variety of external expansion options and accessories, including docks, cables, adapters, input devices, cases, and more for this MacBook.

Incl. Keyboard:

Full-size

Incl. Input:

Trackpad (4 Finger)

Details:

Apple reports that the integrated keyboard has "78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement)." It does not have an embedded numeric keypad. This keyboard is not backlit. The glass "multi-touch" trackpad "supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities".

Case Type:

Notebook

Form Factor:

MacBook (Unibody)

Details:

This MacBook uses a black and silver "unibody" case design milled from a single piece of aluminum with a "catchless" magnetic latch.

Apple Order No:

MB466LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

Late 2008 Aluminum

Details:

The Apple order number should be unique to this system.

Apple Model No:

A1278 (EMC 2254)

Model ID:

MacBook5,1

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. Also see: All Macs with the A1278 Model Number, the 2254 EMC Number, and the MacBook5,1 Model Identifier. For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

45 W h Li-Poly

Battery Life:

5 Hours

Details:

Apple reports that this model has a "45-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery" that provides "5 hours of wireless productivity". Also see: What is the "Unibody" MacBook battery life in "real-world" tests? In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells quality batteries for this MacBook.

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X 10.5.5 (9F2114)

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.11.6*

Details:

*This system can run the last version of OS X 10.10 "Yosemite" and OS X 10.11 "El Capitan," although advanced feature support is minimal (Mac-to-Mac AirDrop is supported). When running Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" it is not supported booting in 64-bit mode. It is not capable of running macOS Sierra (10.12) or subsequent versions of the macOS at all. Please note that OS X "Lion" 10.7 and subsequent versions of OS X are not capable of running Mac OS X apps originally written for the PowerPC processor as these operating systems do not support the "Rosetta" environment. To run PowerPC applications on this Mac, it will be necessary to use Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" or earlier. Also see: Which Macs are compatible with OS X El Capitan (10.11)? What are the system requirements? Which Macs support which features?

Minimum Windows:

XP SP2 (32-Bit)*

Maximum Windows:

7 (32-Bit)*

Details:

*Apple's Boot Camp 4 formally supports the 32-bit versions of Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. However, the system does meet Microsoft's minimum requirements for Windows 8 and readers have reported successfully running the 32-bit version of this operating system with appropriate drivers.

MacOS 9 Support:

None

Windows Support:

Boot/Virtualization

Details:

Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs? For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A.

Dimensions:

0.95 x 12.78 x 8.94

Avg. Weight:

4.5 lbs (2.04 kg)

Details:

In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (2.41 cm, 32.5 cm, 22.7 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$1299

Est. Current Retail:

US$100-US$150

Details:

Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated). Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.

Ports

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

Expand All Details | Contract All Details

Video (Monitor):

1 (Mini DisplayPort)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

Supports external display in dual display and mirroring modes. DVI, Dual-Link DVI, and VGA supported by optional Apple adapters (sold separately).

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

2 (2.0)

Firewire:

None

Details:

Two 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports.

Modem:

None

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

No internal modem. External Apple USB modem offered for US$49. Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme (802.11g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

1 (Internal)

Sound In:

1

Details:

Internal omnidirectional microphone. Optical digital audio input/analog line in (minijack).

Sound Out:

1

Headphone:

1

Details:

Single Optical digital audio output/analog line out (minijack) port doubles as a headphone jack.

Security (Lock):

1

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

N/A

Power Adapter:

1

Details:

100V-240V AC, 60W "MagSafe" power adapter. Also see: How does the MagSafe power connector on the MacBook work?

Global Original Prices

Global original prices for the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13" (Unibody) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.

For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.

Original Prices - North & South America

Canada:

C$1399

Brazil:

N/A

Mexico:

N/A

United States:

US$1299

Original Prices - Europe

Austria:

€1199

Belgium:

€1199

Denmark:

DKK 9,299

Finland:

€1199

France:

€1199

Germany:

€1199

Ireland:

€1199

Italy:

€1199

Luxembourg:

N/A

Netherlands:

€1199

Norway:

NOK 10.990

Portugal:

€1199

Spain:

€1149

Sweden:

SEK 11.995

Switzerland:

CHF 1'699

United Kingdom:

£949

Original Prices - Asia

China:

RMB 10,898

Hong Kong:

HK$10,200

India:

N/A

Indonesia:

N/A

Japan:

¥148,800

Korea:

N/A

Malaysia:

N/A

The Philippines:

N/A

Singapore:

N/A

Taiwan:

NT$45,900

Thailand:

N/A

Vietnam:

N/A

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

Australia:

A$2099

New Zealand:

NZ$2399

If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.

Popular Q&As

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the MacBook models follow.

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