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White Unibody MacBook Q&A - Published October 22, 2009
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What are the differences between the White "Polycarbonate Unibody/Late 2009" MacBook Core 2 Duo and the White "Mid-2009" MacBook that it replaced?
Please note that all systems mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The "Late 2009" MacBook was replaced by the "Mid-2010" MacBook on May 18, 2010.
Although both models look similar upon a quick glance, there are substantial external and internal differences between the "Late 2009" MacBook -- the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 13" (White Polycarbonate Unibody/Late 2009) -- and the "Mid-2009" MacBook -- the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.13 13-Inch (White - Mid-2009).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Left - Late 2009/Unibody, Right - Mid-2009).
Externally, one first will notice that the "Unibody" construction of the "Late 2009" MacBook -- molded as a single piece of white polycarbonate (with a removable aluminum bottom panel coated in a "non-skid" rubber surface) -- has no seams or screws along its edges, which contributes to a generally sleeker look. It also has a more rounded, less angular design. Both models are 1.08 inches thick, but the "footprint" of the "Late 2009" model is a bit larger than the "Mid-2009". Despite its small increase in size, the "Late 2009" model weighs nearly a third of a pound less (4.7 pounds compared to 5 pounds).
The display is considerably improved in the "Late 2009" MacBook. Both models have 13.3" widescreen displays with a 1280x800 native resolution, but the "Late 2009" display is LED-backlit for substantially enhanced brightness. Apple also reports that the "Late 2009" system has the same "wide angle viewing technology" as the MacBook Pro line.
Both models essentially have the same "flush against the bed" keyboard design -- although the "Late 2009" model is more rigid due to the construction of the housing -- the same "catchless" magnetic latch, and the same "MagSafe" power connector. Both models have an integrated "iSight" video camera, but a careful observer will notice that the camera on the "Late 2009" MacBook has a round opening, like the Aluminum "Unibody" MacBook and MacBook Pro models, rather than square like the previous MacBook.
The trackpads are completely different. The "Mid-2009" system has a "scrolling trackpad" with "two-finger click" capability and the "Late 2009" system has a considerably more advanced glass four finger "multi-touch" trackpad -- also borrowed from the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro models -- that supports a variety of gestures.
Connectivity is considerably different -- and depending on your needs, possibly inferior on the "Late 2009" model when compared to the model it replaced. Both models have AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and Gigabit Ethernet, as well as two USB 2.0 ports.
However, the "Mid-2009" model has a FireWire "400" port, mini-DVI out (supports an external display up to 1920x1200 pixels), and optical digital audio in/out. The "Late 2009" model, on the other hand, lacks a Firewire port altogether and lacks optical audio in and instead has the same "combined optical digital output/headphone out (user-selectable analog audio line in)" port used by the iPhone. Rather than a mini-DVI out port, the "Late 2009" model has a Mini DisplayPort that can support an external display up to 2560x1600.
Curiously for a consumer system, the "Late 2009" model also lacks an IR receiver, so it does not support an Apple remote. The earlier "Mid-2009" model supported an Apple remote as a US$19 option, and prior to the "Early 2008" MacBook models, the remote was included with the system. One can only surmise that Apple's market research indicated that consumers purchasing the least expensive Apple notebook were not interested in using a remote (or at least were not willing to pay a premium for one), which seems entirely plausible.
The battery design is different as well. The "Mid-2009" model has a 55 W/Hr "swappable" battery design that Apple reports provides 5 hours of runtime, whereas the "Late 2009" model has a 60 W/Hr integrated battery -- reported to provide 7 hours of runtime -- that is not intended to be replaced by the end user.
Internally, the "Late 2009" model has modest improvements -- a faster processor, faster RAM, and a larger hard drive. The "Late 2009" model has a 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo (P7550) processor (up from a 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo, P7450), 2 GB of 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM, (up from 2 GB of 800 MHz PC2-6400 DDR2 SDRAM), and a 250 GB hard drive (up from a 160 GB hard drive). Both models have the same 1066 MHz system bus, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics with 256 MB of RAM shared with the system, and the same 8X dual-layer SuperDrive.
Officially, the "Mid-2009" and "Late 2009" models each support 4 GB of RAM, but site sponsor OWC has discovered that the "Mid-2009" models actually are capable of using 6 GB of RAM and the "Late 2009" models 8 GB of RAM.
These differences are summarized below:
| MacBook: | "Mid-2009" 2.13 13" | "Late 2009" 2.26 13" |
|---|---|---|
| Processor: | 2.13 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (P7450) | 2.26 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (P7550) |
| System Bus: | 1066 MHz | 1066 MHz |
| Level 2 Cache: | 3 MB | 3 MB |
| Standard RAM: | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Maximum RAM: | 6 GB* | 8 GB* |
| RAM Type: | 800 MHz PC2-6400 DDR2 | 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 |
| Int. Graphics: | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M |
| Shared VRAM: | 256 MB† | 256 MB† |
| Display Size: | 13.3" | 13.3" |
| Native Resolution: | 1280x800 | 1280x800 |
| External Display: | 1920x1200 | 2560x1600 |
| LED-Backlit: | No | Yes |
| Hard Drive: | 160 GB | 250 GB |
| Optical Drive: | 8X DL "SuperDrive" | 8X DL "SuperDrive" |
| Firewire: | 400 (1) | None |
| Optical Audio In: | Yes | No |
| Video Out: | mini DVI | Mini DisplayPort |
| Remote Support: | Yes | No |
| Trackpad: | 2 Finger | 4 Finger (Multitouch) |
| Battery Type: | Swappable | Integrated |
| Battery Life: | 5 Hours†† | 7 Hours†† |
| Unibody Design: | No | Yes |
| Apple Order No: | MC240LL/A | MC207LL/A |
| Dimensions (In): | 1.08 x 12.78 x 8.92 | 1.08 x 13.00 x 9.12 |
| Weight: | 5.0 lbs (2.27 kg) | 4.7 lbs (2.13 kg) |
| Original Price: | US$999 | US$999 |
* Officially, Apple supports a maximum of 4 GB of RAM in both models, but the actual capacities are 6 GB and 8 GB, respectively.
† 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.
Ultimately, the "Late 2009" MacBook provides a superior case design, higher-quality display, more advanced trackpad, longer battery life, lighter weight, larger external display support, higher unofficial maximum RAM capacity, additional features, and modestly improved performance at the same price point. For most users, this represents an excellent value, but for those who need a "swappable" battery, a Firewire "400" port, or optical audio in, the "Mid-2009" MacBook remains well worth consideration, particularly given discount prices on the used market.
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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