Apple MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017) vs Apple MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017) compared with MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)
AppleMacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)AppleMacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)
Overview
ReleasedJune 2017January 2009
Display
Screen size12″13.3″
Resolution2304 × 1440 (better)1280 × 800
PanelIPS LCD–
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeRetina display; LED-backlit IPS; 16:10 aspect ratio; millions of coloursGlossy TFT widescreen display with millions of colours; exact panel technology and refresh rate unpublished by Apple.
Pixel density226 ppi–
Display featuresSupported scaled resolutions of 1440 × 900, 1280 × 800 or 1024 × 640–
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core m3-7Y32, Intel Core i5-7Y54 or Intel Core i7-7Y75Intel Core 2 Duo P7350
CPU cores22
CPU threads4–
GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 615NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Memory8 GB or 16 GB (better)2 GB or 4 GB
Storage256 GB to 512 GB (better)120 GB to 320 GB
CPUDual-core seventh-generation Intel Core m3 at Apple's specified 1.2 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.0 GHz, Core i5 at 1.3 GHz with up to 3.2 GHz, or Core i7 at 1.4 GHz with up to 3.6 GHz; all with 4 MB shared L3 cache. Exact m3-7Y32, i5-7Y54 and i7-7Y75 identifiers confirmed by TechRadar. Apple's configured clocks differ from Intel's nominal base frequencies of 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 GHz respectively.2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 with 3 MB shared L2 cache and 1066 MHz front-side bus. Notebookcheck’s aluminium MacBook review identifies the P7350 and explicitly notes that this white MacBook uses the same processor and graphics combination.
GPUIntel HD Graphics 615NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Memory type8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory; configurable to 16 GBTwo SO-DIMM slots for 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300); 2 GB standard, configurable to 4 GB.
Storage typePCIe-based onboard SSD; 256 GB with the 1.2 GHz Core m3 base or 512 GB with the 1.3 GHz Core i5 base. The 256 GB base can be configured with Core i5 or i7; the 512 GB base can be configured with Core i7.120 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 160 GB, 250 GB or 320 GB; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive.
CoolingFanless design (TechRadar)–
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 12 hours–
Battery capacity41.4 Wh55 Wh (better)
Weight0.92 kg (better)2.27 kg
Thickness13.1 mm (better)27.5 mm
Width × depth280.5 × 196.5 mm325 × 227 mm
Battery life detailLithium-polymer battery; up to 10 hours wireless web, 12 hours iTunes movie playback or 30 days standby. Apple's tests used the 1.3 GHz Core i5, 8 GB memory and 512 GB storage. Chassis tapers from 3.5 to 13.1 mm; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.Removable 55 Wh lithium-polymer battery. Maker reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process. Battery-life hours omitted because the archived maker specification does not publish them.
Charger30 W USB-C Power Adapter, as listed in Apple's current technical specifications60 W MagSafe Power Adapter
MaterialsAluminium enclosurePolycarbonate enclosure
ColoursSilver, Gold, Space Grey, Rose GoldWhite
Connections
PortsUSB-C, headphone jack2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack, MagSafe
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5AirPort Extreme draft 802.11n; compatible with 802.11a/b/g
Bluetooth4.22.1 + EDR
Webcam480p FaceTimeiSight camera
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailOne USB-C port supporting charging, USB 3.1 Gen 1 up to 5 Gb/s and native DisplayPort 1.2; VGA and HDMI through separate USB-C multiport adaptors. 3.5 mm headphone jack.Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port, Gigabit Ethernet, MagSafe, Mini-DVI, separate combined optical digital audio input/line input and combined optical digital audio output/headphone output. Display adapters sold separately.
External displaysOne external display up to 4096 × 2304 at 60 Hz alongside the built-in screen, at millions of coloursOne external display up to 1920 × 1200 alongside the built-in screen; Mini-DVI adapters support DVI and VGA.
KeyboardSecond-generation butterfly switches (TechRadar); full-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, individual LED backlighting, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and ambient light sensorFull-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function/media keys and four arrow keys
TrackpadForce Touch trackpad with pressure sensing, Force clicks and Multi-Touch gesturesScrolling trackpad with a separate button; supports two-finger scrolling, tap, double-tap and drag.
SpeakersStereo speakersBuilt-in stereo speakers
MicrophonesDual microphonesBuilt-in omnidirectional microphone
In the boxMacBook; 30 W USB-C Power Adapter; USB-C Charge Cable (2 m), as listed in Apple's current technical specificationsMacBook, display cleaning cloth, removable battery, 60 W MagSafe Power Adapter with AC wall plug and power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Archived specification lists Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and iLife ’09; this describes the archived bundle rather than confirming software shipped on the first sale day. January 2009 availability is confirmed by contemporary Macworld and The Register reviews; an exact maker first-sale date was not found..

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