Apple MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008) vs Apple MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008) compared with MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009)
AppleMacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)AppleMacBook (13-inch, Late 2009)
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2008October 2009
Display
Screen size13.3″13.3″
Resolution1280 × 8001280 × 800
Panel–TN LCD
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeGlossy TFT widescreen display with millions of colours; exact panel technology, brightness and refresh rate unpublished by Apple.Glossy LED-backlit widescreen display, millions of colours; TN panel identified by Notebookcheck's exact-model review. Refresh rate and brightness unpublished by Apple.
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core 2 Duo 2.1 GHz (MacBook Late 2008)Intel Core 2 Duo P7550
CPU cores22
GraphicsIntel GMA X3100 (144 MB shared DDR2)NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR3)
Memory1 GB, 2 GB or 4 GB2 GB or 4 GB
Storage120 GB to 250 GB250 GB to 500 GB (better)
CPU2.1 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.2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7550, with 3 MB shared L2 cache and 1066 MHz front-side bus; exact processor identity confirmed by Notebookcheck
GPUIntel GMA X3100 with 144 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memoryNVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB DDR3 shared with main memory
Memory type667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM in two SO-DIMM slots; 1 GB standard, configurable to 2 GB or 4 GB.Two SO-DIMM slots for 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM; 2 GB standard as two 1 GB modules, configurable to 4 GB. Larger aftermarket upgrades excluded from the maker-supported configurations.
Storage type120 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.250 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 320 GB or 500 GB; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer DVD burning
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)–Up to 7 hours
Battery capacity55 Wh60 Wh (better)
Weight2.27 kg2.13 kg (better)
Thickness27.5 mm27.4 mm (better)
Width × depth325 × 227 mm330.3 × 231.7 mm
Battery life detailRemovable 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.Built-in 60 Wh lithium-polymer battery; up to 7 hours wireless productivity under Apple's test conditions. Maker reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
Charger60 W MagSafe Power Adapter60 W MagSafe Power Adapter
MaterialsPolycarbonate enclosureWhite polycarbonate unibody enclosure
ColoursWhiteWhite
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack, MagSafe2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack, MagSafe
Wi-FiAirPort Extreme draft 802.11n; compatible with 802.11a/b/g802.11n AirPort Extreme; compatible with 802.11a/b/g
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR2.1 + EDR
WebcamBuilt-in iSight cameraiSight camera
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo 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.Two USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, MagSafe, Mini DisplayPort and combined optical digital output/headphone output with user-selectable analogue line input; audio jack also supports the Apple Stereo Headset microphone. No FireWire or SD card slot.
External displaysOne external display up to 1920 × 1200 alongside the built-in screen; Mini-DVI adapters support DVI, VGA, composite video and S-video.One external display up to 2560 × 1600 alongside the built-in screen; Mini DisplayPort to DVI, dual-link DVI and VGA adapters sold separately
KeyboardFull-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function/media keys and four arrow keysFull-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys and four arrow keys; no backlighting
TrackpadScrolling trackpad with separate button; two-finger scrolling, tap, double-tap and dragGlass Multi-Touch trackpad supports scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe and four-finger swipe
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakersBuilt-in stereo speakers
MicrophonesBuilt-in omnidirectional microphoneBuilt-in omnidirectional microphone
In the boxMacBook, 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.MacBook, 60 W MagSafe Power Adapter with AC wall plug and power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation; Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and iLife '09

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