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White & Black MacBook Q&A - Published March 3, 2008
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What are the differences between the "Early 2008 Penryn" MacBook Core 2 Duo models?
Please note that the "Early 2008 Penryn" MacBook Core 2 Duo models have been discontinued.
The "Early 2008 Penryn" MacBook Core 2 Duo systems -- the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.1 13" (White), "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (White), and "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (Black) -- have a great deal in common with each other as well as much in common with the "Late 2007" series that this line replaced.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.
All use the same relatively compact and easy to upgrade polycarbonate case introduced by the original MacBook models with the same 13.3-inch "glossy" widescreen display with a 1280x800 native resolution, "flush against the bed" keyboard design (although models starting with the "Late 2007" series do not have an embedded numeric keypad), and "catchless" magnetic latch. Each has a "scrolling Trackpad" with "two-finger click" capability, integrated iSight video camera, and "MagSafe" power connector. For the "Early 2008" models, Apple decided to make the Apple Remote -- previously bundled for free -- a US$19 extra.
Each additionally has the same connectivity -- AirPort Extreme (although the original models only support 802.11g, the "Late 2006" models support 802.11n with a firmware update, and "Mid-2007" and later systems support 802.11n "out of the box"), 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 is available for US$49.
Internally, however, the "Early 2008 Penryn" MacBook notebooks are equipped with the modestly faster and more energy-efficient 45 nm "Penryn" processor -- compared to 65 nm "Merom" processors in the "Late 2007" series -- albeit with smaller 3 MB level 2 caches (compared to 4 MB). Although the "Early 2008" models are equipped with larger hard drives and some configurations have more default RAM, internal components are effectively the same as the "Late 2007" models -- 800 MHz frontside bus, Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics, and support for 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300) RAM.
The modest differences between the "Early 2008 Penryn" models -- configuration, color, and price -- are summarized in this handy chart:
| MacBook "Early 2008" | 2.1 | 2.4 (White) | 2.4 (Black) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Processor: | T8100 | T8300 | T8300 |
| Processor Speed: | 2.1 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Hard Drive Size: | 120 GB | 160 GB† | 250 GB |
| Standard RAM: | 1 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Optical Capabilities: | 8X "Combo" | 8X DL "SuperDrive" | 8X DL "SuperDrive" |
| Case Color: | White | White | Black |
| Apple Part No: | MB402LL/A | MB403LL/A | MB404LL/A |
| Price: | US$1099 | US$1299 | US$1499 |
†The MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (White) could be upgraded at the time of purchase with a 250 GB (5400 RPM) hard drive for US$100, so the black color alone commanded a US$100 premium.
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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