 Previous generation MacBook |
|
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Type | Laptop |
| Release date | October 20, 2009 (current model) May 16, 2006 (original release) |
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo (current model) Intel Core Duo (original release) |
| Website | Apple — MacBook |
The MacBook is a brand of Macintosh notebook computers by Apple Inc. First introduced in May 2006, it replaced the iBook and 12" PowerBook series of notebooks as a part of the Apple Intel transition. Part of the MacBook family, the MacBook is aimed at the consumer and education markets.[1] It is the best-selling Macintosh in history, and according to the sales-research organization NPD Group in October 2008, the mid-range model of the MacBook was the single best-selling laptop of any brand in U.S. retail stores for the preceding five months.[2]
There have been three separate designs of the MacBook: the original model uses a polycarbonate casing that was modeled after the iBook G4. The second type, introduced in October 2008 alongside the 15" MacBook Pro, used a similar unibody aluminum casing to the 15" Pro, and was updated and rebranded as the 13" MacBook Pro at the 2009 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2009.[3] A third design introduced in October 2009 introduced a unibody polycarbonate shell.
Contents |
Polycarbonate unibody model
On October 20, 2009, Apple released a MacBook that introduced a new polycarbonate unibody, 1066 MHz DDR3 SO-DIMM SDRAM memory, a multi-touch trackpad, an LED-backlit display, and a built-in seven-hour battery. The polycarbonate unibody MacBook, like its aluminum predecessor, lacks FireWire and, like the 13" MacBook Pro, has a combined audio in/out port.
Design
Like the MacBook Pro, the MacBook follows the same tapered design first seen in the MacBook Air; however, it is rounder on the edges than other laptops in the MacBook line. This model has a glossy palm rest that is fingerprint-friendly and also uses a multi-touch glass trackpad like the one found on the MacBook Pro. The bottom of the MacBook features a rubberized non-slip finish. The battery, now built in like in the MacBook Pros, lasts seven hours as compared to five hours in the older models.
Specifications
| Model | Late 2009[4] |
|---|---|
| Release date |
October 20, 2009 |
| Model Numbers | MC207*/A |
| Display | 13.3" LED backlit glossy widescreen LCD, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution |
| Front side bus | 1066 MHz |
| Processor | 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (P7550) |
| Memory Two slots for PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM (1066 MHz) |
2 GB (two 1 GB) Expandable to 4 GB |
| Graphics | Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB shared with main memory (up to 512 MB available in Windows through Boot Camp) |
| Hard drive1 Serial ATA 5400-rpm |
250 GB 5400-rpm Optional 320 GB or 500 GB HDD |
| AirPort Extreme | Integrated 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Internal Slot-Loading SuperDrive2 | Maximum write: 8× DVD±R, 4× DVD±R DL, 4× DVD±RW, 24× CD-R, 10× CD-RW Maximum read: 8× DVD±R, DVD-ROM, 6× DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD±R DL, DVD±RW, 24× CD |
| Minimum operating system required | Mac OS X v10.6.1[5] |
| Weight | 4.7 lb/2.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 1.09 x 13.00 x 9.12 in/27.4 x 330.3 x 231.7 mm |
Notes:
1 Hard drives noted are options available from Apple. As the hard drive is a user-replaceable part, there are custom configurations available, including use of 7200-rpm drives and SSDs.
2 Given optical drive speed is its maximum.
Aluminium unibody model
On October 14, 2008, Apple announced a MacBook featuring a new Nvidia chipset at a Cupertino press conference entitled "The Spotlight Turns To Notebooks".
The chipset brought a 1066 MHz system bus, use of DDR3 system memory, and integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics up to five times faster than the original MacBooks' Intel chipset.[6] Other changes include an LED backlit display, a new Mini DisplayPort (replacing the polycarbonate MacBook's mini-DVI port), a multi-touch glass trackpad which also acts as the mouse button, removal of toxins such as mercury, and the removal of the FireWire 400 port (thus it doesn't support Target Disk Mode, used for data transfers or operating system repairs without booting the system).[7] An updated line of the unibody MacBooks were rebranded as the 13-inch MacBook Pro on June 8, 2009 at Apple's WWDC 2009[3] and Firewire was restored in the form of a FireWire 800 port.
Design
The design was modeled on the unibody MacBook Pro, which itself was modeled on the MacBook Air. This model was thinner than the original polycarbonate MacBooks, and it made use of a unibody aluminum case with tapered edges. The keyboard of only the higher-end model was offered with a backlight.
Reviews
Although Gizmodo concluded it to be "our favorite MacBook to date," they did claim that at the time its display was inferior to that found on the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, alleging a smaller viewing angle, washed-out colors, and dimmer backlighting.[8] Similarly AppleInsider and Engadget concluded that it "may well be Apple's best MacBook to date" and "these are terrific choices—not only from an industrial design standpoint, but in specs as well" respectively, while also drawing attention to a lower quality display as compared with the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.[9][10] Charlie Sorrel of Wired News reached an identical conclusion about the MacBook display, citing its poor contrast and lack of vertical angle in comparison with the MacBook Pro and even the older white MacBook.[11] Peter Cohen wrote an article discussing the loss of the FireWire port for Macworld, said "The absence of FireWire ports is certainly an inconvenience for some users. But it shouldn’t be considered a deal-breaker for most of us, anyway."[12]
Model specifications
| Model | Late 2008[13] |
|---|---|
| Release date |
October 14, 2008 |
| Model Numbers | MB466*/A; MB467*/A |
| Display | 13.3" LED backlit glossy widescreen LCD, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution |
| Front side bus | 1066 MHz |
| Processor | 2.0 GHz or 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (P7350/P8600) |
| Memory Two slots for PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM (1066 MHz) |
2 GB (two 1 GB) Expandable to 4GB |
| Graphics | Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB shared with main memory (up to 512 MB available in Windows through Boot Camp) |
| Hard drive1 Serial ATA 5400-rpm |
160 GB or 250 GB 5400-rpm Optional 320 GB HDD; 128 GB or 256 GB Solid-state drive (SSD) |
| AirPort Extreme | Integrated 802.11a/b/g/draft-n (BCM4322 chipset) |
| Internal Slot-Loading SuperDrive2 | Maximum write: 8× DVD±R, 4× DVD±R DL, 4× DVD±RW, 24× CD-R, 10× CD-RW Maximum read: 8× DVD±R, DVD-ROM, 6× DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD±R DL, DVD±RW, 24× CD |
| Minimum operating system required | Mac OS X v10.5.5[5] |
| Weight | 4.5 lb/2.0 kg |
| Dimensions | 0.95 x 12.78 x 8.94 in/24.1 x 325 x 227 mm |
Notes:
1 Hard drives noted are options available from Apple. As the hard drive is a user-replaceable part, there are custom configurations available, including use of 7200-rpm drives and SSDs.
2 Given optical drive speed is its maximum.
Original discrete polycarbonate model
The original MacBook, available in black and white cases, was released on May 16, 2006, and used the Intel Core Duo processor and 945GM chipset, with Intel's GMA 950 integrated graphics on a 667 MHz front side bus. Later revisions of the MacBook moved to the Core 2 Duo processor and the GM965 chipset, with Intel's GMA X3100 integrated graphics on an 800 MHz system bus.[14] MacBooks now only come in white. The current MacBook uses an NVIDIA chipset with integrated GeForce 9400M graphics on a 1066 MHz bus.[15]
While thinner than the iBook G4 that it replaced, the MacBook was wider than the 12-inch model due to its widescreen display. In addition, the MacBook was one of the first (the first being the MacBook Pro) to adopt Apple's MagSafe power connector and it replaced the iBook's mini-VGA display port with a mini-DVI display port. The iBook's discrete graphics chip was initially replaced by an integrated Intel GMA solution, though the latest MacBooks now use the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M.[15]
Design of polycarbonate discrete model
While the MacBook largely followed the industrial design standard set by the PowerBook G4, the MacBook was Apple's first notebook to use features now standard in its notebooks: the glossy display, the sunken keyboard design, and the non-mechanical magnetic latch. With the late 2007 revision, the keyboard received several changes to closely mirror the one that shipped with the iMac, by adding the same keyboard shortcut to control multimedia, and removing the embedded virtual numeric keypad and the Apple logo from the command keys.[16]
Also offered in a more expensive black model until the introduction of the later unibody aluminum MacBook, the polycarbonate MacBook was the only Macintosh notebook to be offered in more than one color since the iBook G3 (Clamshell).
Ports
The ports are all on the left edge; on early models, from front to back, they are: Kensington Security Slot, headphone (audio out) jack, microphone (audio in) jack, two USB ports, Firewire, mini-DVI, Ethernet, MagSafe power connector.
The front edge features a pill-shaped power light and a round black infrared receiver, for the remote; the right edge features only the disc slot.
User serviceability
The polycarbonate Intel MacBook is easier for users to fix or upgrade than its predecessor. Where the iBook required substantial disassembly to access most internal components, including removal of the keyboard and RAM[17], users need only remove the polycarbonate MacBook's outer shell to access almost any interior component. Replacing the hard drive and memory requires merely the removal of the battery, and Apple provides do-it-yourself manuals for these tasks.[18]
Quality problems
Some early polycarbonate MacBook models suffered from random shutdowns, occurring to owners who have owned their MacBooks for some amount of time.[19] They were resolved through replacement of the CPU heatsink and firmware updates.[20]
There were also cases reported of discolored or chipping palmrests. In such cases, Apple asked affected owners to contact AppleCare.[21]
Model specifications
| Component | Intel Core Duo | Intel Core 2 Duo | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Early 2006[22] | Late 2006[23] | Mid 2007[24] | Late 2007[25] | Early 2008[26] | Late 2008 (White)[27] |
Early 2009 (White)[28] | Mid 2009[29] |
| Release date |
May 16, 2006 | November 8, 2006 | May 15, 2007 | November 1, 2007 | February 26, 2008 | October 14, 2008 | January 21, 2009 | May 27, 2009 |
| Model Numbers | MA254*/A MA255*/A MA472*/A | MA699*/A MA700*/A MA701*/A | MB061*/A MB062*/A MB063*/A | MB061*/B MB062*/B MB063*/B | MB402*/A MB403*/A MB404*/A | MB402*/B | MB881*/A | MC240*/A |
| Machine Model | MacBook1,1 | MacBook2,1 | MacBook3,1 | MacBook4,1 | MacBook4,2 | MacBook5,1 | MacBook5,2 | |
| Display | 13.3" glossy widescreen LCD, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution | |||||||
| Front side bus | 667 MHz | 800 MHz | 1066 MHz | |||||
| Processor | 1.83 GHz or 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo (T2400/T2500) |
1.83 GHz or 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T5600/T7200) |
2.0 GHz or 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T7200/T7400) |
2.0 GHz or 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T7300/T7500) |
2.1 GHz or 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T8100/T8300) |
2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T8100) |
2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (P7350) |
2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (P7450) |
| Memory Two slots for DDR2 SDRAM |
512 MB (two 256 MB) 667 MHz PC2-5300 Expandable to 2 GB |
512 MB (two 256 MB) or 1GB (two 512MB) 667 MHz PC2-5300 Expandable to 4 GB5 |
1 GB (two 512 MB) 667 MHz PC2-5300 Expandable to 4 GB5 |
1GB (two 512MB) or 2GB (two 1GB) 667 MHz PC2-5300 Expandable to 4 GB |
1 GB (two 512 MB) 667 MHz PC2-5300 Expandable to 4 GB |
2 GB (two 1 GB) 667 MHz PC2-5300 Expandable to 4 GB |
2 GB (two 1 GB) 800 MHz PC2-6400 Expandable to 4 GB |
|
| Graphics Shared with system memory |
Intel GMA 950 using 64 MB RAM (up to 224 MB in Windows through Boot Camp).[30] | Intel GMA X3100 using 144 MB RAM | nVidia GeForce 9400M using 256 MB RAM | |||||
| Hard drive2 5400-rpm unless specified |
60 GB or 80 GB Optional 100 GB or 120 GB |
60 GB, 80 GB or 120 GB Optional 160 GB or 200 GB, 4200-rpm |
80 GB, 120 GB or 160 GB Optional 200 GB, 4200-rpm |
80 GB, 120 GB or 160 GB Optional 250 GB |
120 GB, 160 GB, or 250 GB | 120 GB Optional 160 GB or 250 GB |
120 GB Optional 160 GB, 250 GB, or 320 GB |
160 GB Optional 250 GB, 320 GB, or 500 GB |
| AirPort Extreme | Integrated 802.11a/b/g | Integrated 802.11a/b/g and draft-n (n disabled by default)1 |
Integrated 802.11a/b/g and draft-n (n enabled) | |||||
| Combo drive3 Base model only |
8× DVD read, 24× CD-R and 10× CD-RW recording | 8× DVD read, 24× CD-R and 16× CD-RW recording | N/A | |||||
| Internal slot-loading SuperDrive3 | 8× double-layer discs reads. 4× DVD±R & RW recording. 24× CD-R and 10× CD-RW recording | 2.4× DVD+R DL writes, 6× DVD±R read, 4× DVD±RW writes, 24× CD-R, and 10× CD-RW recording | 4× DVD+R DL writes, 8× DVD±R read, 4× DVD±RW writes, 24× CD-R, and 10x CD-RW recording | |||||
| Original installed operating system[5] | Mac OS X v10.4.6 | Mac OS X v10.4.8 | Mac OS X v10.4.9 | Mac OS X v10.5 | Mac OS X v10.5.2 | Mac OS X v10.5.4 | Mac OS X v10.5.6 | |
| Weight | 5.2 lb/2.4 kg | 5.1 lb/2.3 kg | 5.0 lb/2.3 kg | |||||
| Dimensions | 1.08 x 12.78 x 8.92 in/27.5 x 325 x 227 mm | |||||||
Notes:
1 Requires the purchase of a wireless-N enabler software from Apple in order to enable the functionality.[31]
2 Hard drives noted are options available from Apple. As the hard drive is a user-replaceable part, there are custom configurations available, including use of 7200-rpm drives.
3 Given optical drive speed is its maximum.
4 Commencing with the Early 2008 revision, the Apple Remote became an optional add-on.
5 Expandable to 4GB, with 3GB usable.[32]
Timeline of the MacBook family
See also
References
- ^ "Apple Updates MacBook With LED-Backlit Display, Multi-Touch Trackpad & Built-in Seven-Hour Battery". Apple Inc.. 2009-10-20. http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/10/20macbook.html.
- ^ Mossberg, Walter (2008-10-28). "Apple Polishes Popular MacBook for a Higher Price". All Things Digital. The Wall Street Journal. http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20081022/apple-polishes-popular-macbook-for-a-higher-price/?sr=hotnews. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
- ^ a b "Apple - MacBook Pro - 13 inch Technical Specifications". Apple. 08 June 2009. http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs-13inch.html. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
- ^ "MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) - Technical Specifications". Apple.com. 2009-10-20. http://support.apple.com/kb/SP579. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ a b c "Mac OS X versions (builds) included with Intel-based Macs". Apple.com. 2009-02-19. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159. Retrieved 2009-02-24.
- ^ Apple. "Apple MacBook Graphics". http://www.apple.com/macbook/graphics.html. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- ^ "Apple Announces New Aluminum MacBooks - Mac Rumors". Macrumors.com. 2008-10-14. http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/14/apple-announces-new-aluminum-macbooks/. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- ^ "Review: MacBook and MacBook Pro Dual Review". Gizmodo. 2008-10-16. http://gizmodo.com/5063492/macbook-and-macbook-pro-dual-review. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Apple's unibody MacBook Review". AppleInsider. 2008-11-02. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/11/02/apples_unibody_macbook_the_review.html. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ^ "MacBook and MacBook Pro Review". Engadget. 2008-10-21. http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/21/macbook-and-macbook-pro-review/2. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ Sorrel, Charlie (2009-02-19). "Hands On: Old MacBook Pro vs New MacBook". Wired News. http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/02/hands-on-old-ma.html. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
- ^ Cohen, Peter (2008-10-07). "FireWire’s MacBook absence—inconvenience or fatal flaw?". Macworld.com. http://www.macworld.com/article/136200/2008/10/macbook_firewire.html. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) - Technical Specifications". Apple.com. 2008-10-14. http://support.apple.com/kb/SP500. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "White & Black MacBook Q&A - Revised March 1, 2008". EveryMac.com. http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook/faq/macbook-gma-x3100-graphics-performance-compared-to-gma-950-gaming.html. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ a b "Apple - MacBook - Technical Specifications". Apple. 27 May 2009. http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
- ^ Booker, Zac (2008-01-09). "The Vanishing Numeric Keypad". New York Times blog. New York Times. http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/09/the-vanishing-numeric-keypad/. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
- ^ "iBook G4 Hard Disk replacement". faqintosh.com. http://www.faqintosh.com/risorse/en/guides/hw/ibook/g4hd/. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ Apple (2008-10-14). "MacBook Manuals". http://support.apple.com/manuals/#macbook. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- ^ "Random Shutdown" (in en). December 15, 2008. http://www.macbookrandomshutdown.com/category/random-shutdown/. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ "MacBook: Shuts down intermittently". Apple Inc.. 2008-09-08. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304308. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
- ^ "About white MacBook palmrest area". Apple Computer. http://web.archive.org/web/20080209225725/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304058.
- ^ "MacBook - Technical Specifications". Support.apple.com. 2008-10-13. http://support.apple.com/kb/SP31. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "MacBook (Late 2006) - Technical Specifications". Support.apple.com. 2008-10-13. http://support.apple.com/kb/SP23. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "MacBook (Mid 2007) - Technical Specifications". Support.apple.com. 2008-10-13. http://support.apple.com/kb/SP18. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "MacBook (Late 2007) - Technical Specifications". Support.apple.com. 2008-10-13. http://support.apple.com/kb/SP12. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "MacBook (Early 2008) - Technical Specifications". Support.apple.com. 2008-10-13. http://support.apple.com/kb/SP5. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "Apple MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.1 13" (White-08) Specs (MB402LL/A*)". EveryMac.com. http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook/stats/macbook-core-2-duo-2.1-white-13-early-2008-penryn-specs.html. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- ^ "MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009) - Technical Specifications". Apple.com. 2009-01-22. http://support.apple.com/kb/SP504. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009) - Technical Specifications". Apple.com. 2009-05-27. http://support.apple.com/kb/SP512. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset Family Datasheet". Intel. 2007-04-12. http://www.intel.com/design/mobile/datashts/309219.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
- ^ "AirPort Extreme 802.11n Enabler for Mac". Apple, Inc.. http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=6C04E07A&nplm=D4141ZM%2FA. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
- ^ "3GB MacBook". OtherWorldComputing. 2008-10-24. http://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/Framework.cfm?page=/Tips/macbookcore23gb/macbookcore23gb.html. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: MacBook |
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
