Apple MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) vs Apple MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) compared with MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)
AppleMacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)AppleMacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)
Overview
ReleasedApril 2015May 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millions of coloursGlossy TFT widescreen display with millions of colours; exact panel technology and refresh rate unpublished by Apple.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 M-5Y31, Intel Core M-5Y51 or Intel Core M-5Y71Intel Core 2 Duo P7450
CPU cores22
CPU threads4–
GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 5300NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Memory8 GB (better)2 GB or 4 GB
Storage256 GB to 512 GB (better)160 GB to 500 GB
CPUDual-core Intel Core M at Apple's specified 1.1 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.4 GHz, 1.2 GHz with up to 2.6 GHz, or 1.3 GHz with up to 2.9 GHz; all with 4 MB shared L3 cache. Exact M-5Y31, M-5Y51 and M-5Y71 identifiers confirmed by Macworld. Apple's configured clocks differ from Intel's nominal base frequencies; the M-5Y31 supports a configurable TDP-up frequency of 1.1 GHz.2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7450, with 3 MB shared L2 cache and 1066 MHz front-side bus; exact processor identity confirmed by Notebookcheck. Apple’s MC240 environmental report identifies introduction on 27 May 2009; month precision is retained because an exact first-delivery day is unestablished.
GPUIntel HD Graphics 5300NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Memory type8 GB of 1600 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memoryTwo SO-DIMM slots for 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-6400); 2 GB standard, configurable to 4 GB.
Storage typePCIe-based onboard flash storage; 256 GB with the 1.1 GHz base or 512 GB with the 1.2 GHz base; either can be ordered with the 1.3 GHz processor160 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 250 GB, 320 GB or 500 GB; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive.
CoolingFanless design with no moving parts or vents–
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hours–
Battery capacity39.7 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 detailTerraced lithium-polymer battery; up to 9 hours wireless web, 10 hours iTunes movie playback or 30 days standby. Apple's web and video tests used the 1.2 GHz Core M, 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.
Charger29 W USB-C Power Adapter60 W MagSafe Power Adapter
MaterialsPrecision-milled aluminium unibody; polished stainless steel Apple logoPolycarbonate enclosure
ColoursSilver, Gold, Space GreyWhite
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
Bluetooth4.02.1 + 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 supports iPhone headsets with remote and microphone. USB-C does not support Thunderbolt (Macworld).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 3840 × 2160 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.
KeyboardFirst-generation butterfly mechanism; 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; 29 W USB-C Power Adapter; USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)MacBook, display cleaning cloth, removable battery, 60 W MagSafe Power Adapter with AC wall plug and power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and iLife ’09.

More comparisons