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White & Black MacBook Q&A - Published November 9, 2007
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What are the differences between the "Late 2007 Santa Rosa" MacBook Core 2 Duo models?
Please note that all models mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The "Late 2007" MacBook Core 2 Duo models were replaced on February 26, 2008 by the "Early 2008/Penryn" MacBook Core 2 Duo models.
The "Late 2007 Santa Rosa" MacBook Core 2 Duo systems -- the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13" (White - Santa Rosa), "Core 2 Duo" 2.2 13" (White - Santa Rosa), "Core 2 Duo" 2.2 13" (Black - Santa Rosa) -- have a great deal in common with each other as well as much in common with the "Mid-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 the "Late 2007" models 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, bundled Apple Remote, and "MagSafe" power connector.
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 "Late 2007 Santa Rosa" MacBook notebooks are quite a bit different -- with faster "Santa Rosa" based motherboards with 800 MHz frontside buses (up from 667 MHz), Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics (up from the Intel GMA 950), and official support for 4 GB of RAM. The "Late 2007 Santa Rosa" line continues to use 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300) RAM and the hard drives still are equipped with "Sudden Motion Sensor" technology that stops the hard drive heads from moving if the notebook is dropped.
Apple quotes a maximum battery life of six hours for all MacBook notebooks 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 modest differences between the "Late 2007 Santa Rosa" models -- configuration, color, and price -- are summarized in this handy chart:
| MacBook "Late 2007" | 2.0 | 2.2 (White) | 2.2 (Black) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Processor: | T7300 | T7500 | T7500 |
| Processor Speed: | 2.0 GHz | 2.2 GHz | 2.2 GHz |
| Hard Drive Size: | 80 GB† | 120 GB† | 160 GB† |
| Standard RAM: | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Optical Capabilities: | 8X "Combo" | 8X DL "SuperDrive" | 8X DL "SuperDrive" |
| Case Color: | White | White | Black |
| Apple Part No: | MB061LL/B | MB062LL/B | MB063LL/B |
| Price: | US$1099 | US$1299 | US$1499 |
†The "Late 2007 Santa Rosa" MacBook models also could be upgraded at the time of purchase with a 250 GB (5400 RPM) hard drive. The 120 GB hard drive in the 2.2 (White) configuration could be upgraded to a 160 GB hard drive for US$75, so the black color alone commanded a US$125 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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