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White & Black MacBook Q&A - Revised May 17, 2007
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What are the differences between the "Late 2006" MacBook Core 2 Duo models and the original MacBook notebooks that they replaced?
Please note that all systems mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The "Late 2006" MacBook Core 2 Duo models were replaced on May 15, 2007 by the "Mid 2007" MacBook Core 2 Duo models.
The "Late 2006" MacBook Core 2 Duo models -- the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 1.83 13-Inch, MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13-Inch (White - Late 2006), and MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13-Inch (Black) -- are quite similar to the original MacBook Core Duo models that they replaced.
Photo Credit: Apple Computer
The "Late 2006" MacBook Core 2 Duo models use the exact same relatively compact and easy to upgrade polycarbonate case as the original MacBook models, and have the same 13.3-inch "glossy" widescreen display with a 1280x800 native resolution, "flush against the bed" keyboard design, and "catchless" magnetic latch. All MacBooks share the same "scrolling Trackpad" with "two-finger click" capability, integrated iSight video camera, bundled Apple Remote, and "MagSafe" power connector.
Each additionally officially share the same connectivity -- AirPort Extreme (although the "Late 2006" models also can be upgraded to support 802.11n, as well as 802.11g, with a firmware update), Bluetooth 2.0+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. None support an internal modem, although an external Apple USB Modem was available for US$49.
Apple quotes the same maximum battery life of six hours for all of these MacBook notebooks -- regardless of processor -- with the provided 55-watt-hour battery, although the company estimates 3.5 hours while using wi-fi and 2.5 hours of DVD playback.
The original MacBook Core Duo and "Late 2006" MacBook Core 2 Duo use a similar logic board design -- the "Core Duo" and "Core 2 Duo" processors are pin-compatible -- with a 667 MHz frontside bus, support for 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300) RAM, and integrated graphics -- "the Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory". All MacBook models have hard drives with "Sudden Motion Sensor" technology that stops the hard drive heads from moving if the notebook is dropped as well.
The primary differences between the "Late 2006" MacBook Core 2 Duo models and the MacBook Core Duo model that each respectively replaced is the processor and configuration. These modest differences are summarized below for your convenience.
The only substantial difference between the entry-level models is the processor:
| MacBook: | "Core Duo" 1.83 13" | "Core 2 Duo" 1.83 13" |
|---|---|---|
| Processor Type: | 1.83 GHz "Core Duo" (T2400) | 1.83 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (T5600) |
| Level 2 Cache: | 2 MB | 2 MB |
| Standard RAM: | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Hard Drive: | 60 GB | 60 GB |
| Optical Drive: | 8X "Combo" | 8X "Combo" |
| Apple Part No: | MA254LL/A | MA699LL/A |
| Original Price: | US$1099 | US$1099 |
The mid-level configuration was upgraded with a faster processor with twice the level 2 cache, twice the RAM, a larger hard drive, and a dual-layer write SuperDrive:
| MacBook: | "Core Duo" 2.0 13" (White) | "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13" (White) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor Type: | 2.0 GHz "Core Duo" (T2500) | 2.0 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (T7200) |
| Level 2 Cache: | 2 MB | 4 MB |
| Standard RAM: | 512 MB | 1 GB |
| Hard Drive: | 60 GB | 80 GB |
| Optical Drive: | 4X DL Read "SuperDrive" | 6X DL Write "SuperDrive" |
| Apple Part No: | MA255LL/A | MA700LL/A |
| Original Price: | US$1299 | US$1299 |
Like the mid-level configuration, the high-end black configuration was upgraded with a faster processor with twice the level 2 cache, twice the RAM, a larger hard drive and a dual-layer write SuperDrive:
| MacBook: | "Core Duo" 2.0 13" (Black) | "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13" (Black) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor Type: | 2.0 GHz "Core Duo" (T2500) | 2.0 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (T7200) |
| Level 2 Cache: | 2 MB | 4 MB |
| Standard RAM: | 512 MB | 1 GB |
| Hard Drive: | 80 GB | 120 GB |
| Optical Drive: | 4X DL Read "SuperDrive" | 6X DL Write "SuperDrive" |
| Apple Part No: | MA472LL/A | MA701LL/A |
| Original Price: | US$1499 | US$1499 |
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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