Apple MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016) vs Apple MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016) compared with MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)
AppleMacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)AppleMacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)
Overview
ReleasedApril 2016October 2008
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of coloursGlossy TFT widescreen display with millions of colours; exact panel technology, brightness and refresh rate unpublished by Apple.
Pixel density226 ppi–
Display featuresScaled resolutions of 1440 × 900, 1280 × 800 or 1024 × 640–
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core m3-6Y30, Intel Core m5-6Y54 or Intel Core m7-6Y75Intel Core 2 Duo 2.1 GHz (MacBook Late 2008)
CPU cores22
CPU threads4–
GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 515Intel GMA X3100 (144 MB shared DDR2)
Memory8 GB (better)1 GB, 2 GB or 4 GB
Storage256 GB to 512 GB (better)120 GB to 250 GB
CPUDual-core Intel Core m3 at Apple's configured 1.1 GHz, up to 2.2 GHz; Core m5 at 1.2 GHz, up to 2.7 GHz; or Core m7 at 1.3 GHz, up to 3.1 GHz. All have 4 MB L3 cache. Exact m3-6Y30, m5-6Y54 and m7-6Y75 identifiers confirmed by Notebookcheck; Apple's configured base clocks differ from Intel's nominal frequencies.2.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo with 3 MB shared L2 cache and 800 MHz frontside bus. The chip record retains the maker’s clock and model without selecting an unverified Intel SKU.
GPUIntel HD Graphics 515Intel GMA X3100 with 144 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
Memory type8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM in two SO-DIMM slots; 1 GB standard, configurable to 2 GB or 4 GB.
Storage typePCIe-based onboard flash storage; 256 GB with the Core m3 base or 512 GB with Core m5; either can be ordered with Core m7120 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 160 GB or 250 GB. The Late 2008 launch notice confirms an 8× SuperDrive rather than the Early 2008 base model’s Combo drive on the combined archived sheet.
CoolingFanless design with no moving parts or vents–
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 11 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 detailUp to 10 hours wireless web, 11 hours iTunes movie playback or 30 days standby; lithium-polymer. Maker specification sheet says 41.4 Wh; TechRadar's spec table says 39.4 Wh. 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 sheet does not publish them.
Charger29 W USB-C Power Adapter60 W MagSafe Power Adapter
MaterialsAluminium unibody enclosurePolycarbonate enclosure
ColoursRose Gold, Space Grey, Gold, SilverWhite
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
Bluetooth4.02.0 + EDR
Webcam480p FaceTimeBuilt-in iSight camera
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailUSB-C supports charging, USB 3.1 Gen 1 up to 5 Gb/s and native DisplayPort 1.2; VGA and HDMI through separate multiport adaptors. The 3.5 mm jack supports iPhone headsets with remote and microphone. No Thunderbolt support (Macworld).Two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400, 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 display up to 3840 × 2160 at 30 Hz alongside the built-in display, at millions of coloursOne external display up to 1920 × 1200 alongside the built-in screen; Mini-DVI adapters support DVI, VGA, composite video and S-video.
KeyboardFull-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO individually backlit keys, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and an ambient light sensor; shallow butterfly mechanism (Macworld)Full-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function/media keys and four arrow keys
TrackpadForce Touch with pressure sensing, Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing and Multi-Touch gesturesScrolling trackpad with separate button; 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, 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 ’08; Apple Remote sold separately.

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