Dan Ackerman, Senior Editor October 29, 2009
Editor's Note: We've updated this post to include the fall 2009 version of Apple's white MacBook.
With systems sometimes changing names, others changing specs, or sometimes both, it can be a little confusing to get a clear picture of the current MacBook family.
First is Apple's basic white plastic MacBook, and the last one left to carry the standalone MacBook name. It's always been a good deal for under $1,000, and the newest version adds the Pro's large touchpad, LED display, and unibody construction (but still no SD card slot).
Previously known as the MacBook, the basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, and with good cause--the line between these and the 15-inch Pro models has been very thin since they moved to the all-metal construction and added GeForce 9400M graphics.
More importantly, the 13-inch unibody systems have regained their FireWire ports, and have added (drum roll, please...) an SD card slot. We've been bugging Apple for years to add this basic feature, and digital photographers everywhere are no doubt celebrating.
The standard 15-inch MacBook Pro remains largely unchanged. The ExpressCard slot is being replaced with an SD card slot, also featured on the new 13-inch Pro. It also has the same non-removable battery, which promises up to 7 hours of use. The least expensive Pro has the same GeForce 9400 integrated graphics as the 13-inch models, and the 2.66GHz and 2.8GHz versions add an additional GeForce 9600M GPU--but that's no different from the existing 15-inch Pro lineup.
If you're looking for the new SD card slot, be warned, the 17-inch MacBook Pro is keeping the ExpressCard, and won't be adding an SD card support. The new 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, however, is available as a $300 add-on.
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| Product name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
Available direct from Apple. Starting price $999.00 | $1,499.90 |
As Reviewed: $2,299.00 Similar Model Starting at: $1649.95 | $2,150.00 |
| CNET editors' rating | ||||
| Average user rating | ||||
| Review date | October 22, 2009 | June 10, 2009 | June 11, 2009 | |
| The Bottom Line | Apple's latest version of the popular $999 white MacBook gets an upscale makeover, while keeping the price the same. It's a strong alternative to the more expensive Pro line, if you can live without extras such as an SD card slot. | Previously known as the MacBook, Apple's basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, all while adding features and cutting the base price. | Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro makes only minor tweaks to the previous version, but cutting prices and swapping the ExpressCard slot for an SD card slot are enough to make it a solid improvement over its predecessor. | |
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| Features | ||||
| System Type | Notebook | Notebook | Notebook | Notebook |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 13 in x 9.1 in x 1.1 in | 12.8 in x 8.9 in x 0.9 in | 14.3 in x 9.8 in x 0.9 in | 15.5 in x 10.5 in x 1 in |
| Operating System | Apple MacOS X 10.6 | Apple MacOS X 10.6 | Apple MacOS X 10.6 | Apple MacOS X 10.6 |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz / 3 MB Cache | Intel 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo / 3 MB Cache | Intel 2800 MHz Core 2 Duo / 6 MB Cache | Intel 2800 MHz Core 2 Duo / 6 MB Cache |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs | 4.4 lbs | 5.5 lbs | 6.6 lbs |
| Memory | 2048 MB DDR3 SDRAM | 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM | 4096 MB DDR3 SDRAM | 4096 MB DDR3 SDRAM |
| Storage | 250 GB HDD / 5400 rpm | 160 GB / 5400 rpm HDD | 500 GB / 5400 rpm HDD | 500 GB / 5400 rpm HDD |
| Optical Drive | DVD-Writer DL | DVD-Writer DL | DVD-Writer DL | DVD-Writer DL |
| Display | 13.3 in 1280 x 800 / WXGA | 13.3 in LED backlight 1280 x 800 / WXGA | 15.0 in LED backlight 1440 x 900 / WXGA+ | 17 in LED backlight 1920 x 1200 / WUXGA |
| Graphics | - 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M | NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT / GeForce 9400M - 512 MB GDDR3 SDRAM | NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT / GeForce 9400M - 512 MB GDDR3 SDRAM |
| Networking | Bluetooth 2.1 EDR , Gigabit Ethernet , None 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft) , Gigabit Ethernet , None Bluetooth 2.1 EDR | 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft) , Gigabit Ethernet , None Bluetooth 2.1 EDR | 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft) , Gigabit Ethernet , None Bluetooth 2.1 EDR |
| Battery | up to 7 hour(s) | up to 7 hour(s) | up to 7 hour(s) | up to 8 hour(s) |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | Available direct from Apple. Starting price $999.00 | | Pricing not available | |
