13" MacBook Core 2 (May 2007)

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• Tiger List is for those using Mac OS X 10.4.
• Leopard List is for those using Mac OS X 10.5.

Overview

Details

• introduced 2007.05.15 at US$1,099 (2.0 GHz white), US$1,299 (2.16 GHz white), and US$1,499 (2.16 GHz black); replaced by 2.0/2.2 GHz Santa Rosa model 2007.10.31.
• requires Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later
• CPU: 2.0/2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Merom), soldered in place, no upgrade options
• bus: 667 MHz
• performance:
• Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 2746 (2.16 GHz), 2659 (2.0 GHz)
• RAM: 1 GB (2 x 512 MB), expandable to 3 GB using PC2-5300 DDR2 RAM
• Level 2 cache: 4 MB shared cache
• Graphics: Intel GMA950 with resolution to 1920 x 1200 on external display (mini-DVI port), supports extended desktop.
• VRAM: 64 MB DDR2 SDRAM (shared with main memory, and according to Apple actually uses 80 MB of system RAM)
• video out: DVI standard, VGA and S-video with optional adapter
• display: 13.3" glossy 1280 x 800 18-bit color active matrix
• supports 1280 x 800, 1152 x 720, 1024 x 768, 1024 x 640, 800 x 600, 800 x 500, 720 x 480, and 640 x 480 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, and 640 x 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 720 x 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio
• allows mirroring to external display and extended desktop mode

hard drive: 80 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA on 2.0 GHz model, 120/160 GB 5400 rpm drive on 2.16 GHz, 120-200 GB optional

Combo drive: reads DVDs at 8x, writes CD-R at 24x, writes CD-RW at 16x, reads CDs at 24x

SuperDrive: writes DVD±R at up to 8x, DVD±RW and DVD+R DL at 4x, reads DVDs at 8x, writes CD-R at 24x, writes CD-RW at 10x, reads CDs at 24x

floppy drive: external USB only

expansions bays: none

USB: 2 USB 2.0 ports

FireWire: 1 FW 400 port

IR port: none

IR receiver: supports Apple Remote

ethernet: 10/100/gigabit

modem: optional v.92 56k external USB modem

WiFi: 802.11n AirPort Extreme built in

Bluetooth: BT 2.0 built in

ExpressCard/34 slots: none

size: 8.92 x 12.78 x 1.08" (227 x 325 x 27.5 mm)

weight: 5.2 pounds (2.36 kg)

Part no.: MB061 (2.0 GHz), MB062 (2.16 GHz, white), MB063 (black)

Online Resources

• Best online MacBook deals, updated biweekly.
• Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
• Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.5.
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• More ways to add OS 9 features to OS X, modem problems with MacBook and USB modem, Opera problem, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.17. Also potential problems using Target Disk Mode to install the OS, using Classic on Intel Macs, value of Pismo G4 upgrades, "Tiger" on a G3 iMac, better laptop ergonomics, and more.
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• The amazing auto-muting headphone jack, Dan Moren, MacUser, 2006.07.01. If you have your MacBook's volume muted and plug in headphones, it turns on the sound - and mutes it when you unplug the headphones.
• MacBook replaces Dell laptop, can outperform Power Mac G5/2.7 GHz dual, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2006.06.30. After two years, the Dell was on its last legs, and Apple's bundled apps made the MacBook a compelling choice. But what's really impressive is the performance of universal apps.
• Drive matters, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.06.14. There's more to picking the right hard drive than size, spindle speed, buffer size, and price. But how can a 5400 rpm drive ever outperform a 7200 rpm drive?
• Upgraded PowerBook vs. new MacBook: Which makes more sense?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.12. Especially for serious gamers, the older PowerBooks with their graphics processors and dedicated memory run circles around the low-end Intel GMA950 graphics of the MacBook.
• Power strategies for using your 'Book in the field: Batteries and AC adapters, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.05. One or two extra batteries and at least one spare AC adapter can be essential when you're traveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your 'Book.
• Matte vs. glossy screens, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.06.05. Also how DiskWarrior can save the day even when it 'fails', thoughts on keyboards for those with neuropathy in their hands, Norton SystemWorks for Mac, and more on OS X browsers.
• MacBook a sign of things to come to MacBook Pro line, Jake Goodridge, Fresh Picked Apples, 2006.05.26. The MacBook isn't just an incredible value compared to the MacBook Pro, it also introduces some features sure to migrate to the pro line.
• Apple nailed it: All you need to know about the MacBook, The 'Book Review, 2006.05.26. Reviewers find Apple's new MacBook nearly perfect, the clever upgrade bay, a matte screen petition, and more.
• What's the best 'Book for my needs: MacBook, MacBook Pro, iBook, or PowerBook?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.05.25. You need to balance size, weight, price, power, and processor to find just the right 'Book for your own needs.
• Smart design and easy drive replacement will make the MacBook a winner, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2006.05.19. Although the graphics processor is far from state-of-the-art and the screen is very reflective, everything else about MacBook points to it becoming a huge success.
• And we all shine on, John Siracusa, ars technica, 2006.05.16. "So, what's the big deal? Consider some synonyms for the word "glossy." Gleaming. Shiny. Reflective. Now you're getting it."
• The black tax, Derik DeLong, MacUser.com, 2006.05.16. "Surely, I'm missing something that makes the black version worth $200 [more]."
• Computer benchmarks and other baloney: Don't expect 2-4x performance from Intel Macs, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.02.06. The Intel Macs are faster than the models they replace, but only with software written for them. With older software, they're actually slower than last year's Macs.
• Booting an Intel iMac from an external drive, Jonathan Rentzsch, TidBITS, 2006.01.30. Intel Macs use a different partitioning scheme (GPT) than older Macs (APM), so you can't simply update an existing drive - your must repartition it with GPT.
• Comparing Apples to Apples: When is Macintel faster? When does PowerPC make more sense?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.01.29. Benchmarks show the Intel Core Duo flies through native code but plods through PowerPC programs. Will PowerPC or Intel give you the more productive workflow?
• Macintel stumbling block: Sometimes you need Classic, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 2006.01.25. As nice as the new Intel Macs seem to be, the lack of any Classic environment makes it impossible for some people to upgrade.
• Apple Profile

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