Request a product
Apple MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)

Apple · MacBook

MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)

Released January 2009

A polycarbonate 13-inch MacBook with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, integrated graphics and a built-in optical drive.

Model history · 19 models, 1999–2009
  1. 1999iBook (1999)Compare
  2. 2000iBook (Early 2000)Compare
  3. 2000iBook (FireWire)Compare
  4. 2001iBook (Dual USB)Compare
  5. 2001iBook (Late 2001)Compare
  6. 2002iBook 12-inch (Mid 2002)Compare
  7. 2002iBook 12-inch (Late 2002)Compare
  8. 2003iBook 12-inch (Early 2003)Compare
  9. 2003iBook G4 (12-inch, Late 2003)Compare
  10. 2004iBook G4 (12-inch, Early 2004)Compare
  11. 2004iBook G4 (12-inch, Late 2004)Compare
  12. 2005iBook G4 (12-inch, Mid 2005)Compare
  13. 2006MacBook (13-inch, Early 2006)Compare
  14. 2006MacBook (13-inch, Late 2006)Compare
  15. 2007MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2007)Compare
  16. 2007MacBook (13-inch, Late 2007)Compare
  17. 2008MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008)Compare
  18. 2008MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)Compare
  19. 2009MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)
Size
13.3″
Display
–
Processor
Intel Core 2
Memory
2 GB – 4 GB
Weight
2.27 kg
Battery
–

What reviewers say

Reviewers praised the improved graphics, useful standard memory and lower price than the aluminium MacBook. They found everyday performance sufficient and valued retained FireWire; Macworld noted that processor-heavy tasks could be slightly slower than on its predecessor and that display adapters and the remote cost extra.

From macworld.com and theregister.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Display

Screen size
13.3″
Resolution
1280 × 800
Touchscreen
No
Display type
Glossy TFT widescreen display with millions of colours; exact panel technology and refresh rate unpublished by Apple.

Performance

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo P7350
CPU cores
2
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Memory
2 GB or 4 GB
Storage
120 GB to 320 GB
CPU
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.
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Memory type
Two SO-DIMM slots for 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300); 2 GB standard, configurable to 4 GB.
Storage type
120 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, configurable to 160 GB, 250 GB or 320 GB; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive.

Battery and size

Battery capacity
55 Wh
Weight
2.27 kg
Thickness
27.5 mm
Width × depth
325 × 227 mm
Battery life detail
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.
Charger
60 W MagSafe Power Adapter
Materials
Polycarbonate enclosure
Colours
White

Connections

Ports
2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack, MagSafe
Wi-Fi
AirPort Extreme draft 802.11n; compatible with 802.11a/b/g
Bluetooth
2.1 + EDR
Webcam
iSight camera
Operating system
macOS
Port detail
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 displays
One external display up to 1920 × 1200 alongside the built-in screen; Mini-DVI adapters support DVI and VGA.
Keyboard
Full-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function/media keys and four arrow keys
Trackpad
Scrolling trackpad with a separate button; supports two-finger scrolling, tap, double-tap and drag.
Speakers
Built-in stereo speakers
Microphones
Built-in omnidirectional microphone
In the box
MacBook, 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..

Configurations

ProcessorMemoryStorageGraphics
Intel Core 2 Duo P73502 GB120 GBNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73502 GB160 GBNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73502 GB250 GBNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73502 GB320 GBNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73504 GB120 GBNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73504 GB160 GBNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73504 GB250 GBNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73504 GB320 GBNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB shared DDR2)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • User-accessible memory and hard drive
  • Built-in optical drive and Gigabit Ethernet
  • Removable battery

Cons

  • Glossy display
  • Integrated graphics share system memory
  • Keyboard has no backlight

Closest rivals

Model
SizeDisplayProcessorMemoryWeightBatteryReleased
AppleMacBook (13-inch, Early 2008)
13.3″–Intel Core 21 GB – 4 GB2.27 kg–Feb 2008
AppleMacBook (13-inch, Late 2007)
13.3″–Intel Core 21 GB – 4 GB2.27 kg6 hNov 2007
AppleMacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)
13.3″–Intel Core 21 GB – 4 GB2.27 kg–Oct 2008

Previous model: MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008). Newer model: MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009).

Sources

  1. support.apple.com/en-gb/111344
  2. notebookcheck.net/Review-Apple-MacBook-Aluminum-2-0-GHz-Unibody-13-9400M-P7350.…
  3. macworld.com/article/194942/2ghz_macbook_9400m.html
  4. theregister.com/on-prem/2009/02/12/apple-white-macbook-early-2009/1382210

Photo: cdsassets.apple.com

Spot a mistake? Tell us