MacBook Pro 13" Upgrades

: MacBook Aluminium

Original Tech Specs

Manufacturer: Apple
Introduced : Oct 200
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU speed: 2.0/2.26
/2.4/2.4/2.66GHz
FPU: integrated
Maximum RAM: 4/8GB
RAM sockets: 2, PC3-8500 SODIMM
Minimum RAM speed: 1066MHz
VRAM: 256MB shared system RAM
Video Out: Mini-DisplayPort
Audio In/Out: combined optical digital input/analog line in, combined optical digital output/analog line out
ROM: 1 MB ROM +
Bus speed: 1066MHz
System Software: 10.5 - 10.6
Slots: 0
USB 2.0: 2
AirPort: 802.11n (built in)
Bluetooth: 2.1 + EDR (built in)
HD: 160-500 SATA 5400/7200RPM
CD: SUPERDRIVE
Display: 13.3" (1280x800)
Ethernet: 10/100/1000B-T
Gestalt ID: 406
power: 60 Watts
Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Dimensions: 0.95" H x 12.78" W x 8.94"

History

This page deals with the MacBook Pro 13" and the MacBook Aluminium.

In October 2008 Apple announced a new addition to its MacBook line, with the MacBook Aluminium. This was a considerably higher end (and more expensive) than the white and black MacBooks and Apple continued to sell a white MacBook at a cheaper price.

The Aluminium MacBook is much closer to contemporary MacBook Pros than to other MacBooks, using faster DDR3 PC3-8500 memory and having a similar Aluminium unibody case. However it did not have an ExpressCard expansion slot, and controversially did not have any sort of FireWire connection, relying on USB 2 for connectivity. This Mac was sold with a 2GHz or 2.4GHz CPU. Apple's own specifications for the October 2008 MacBook Aluminium can be found here.

In June 2009 Apple updated the machine, and changed the name to the MacBook Pro 13", bringing it into the Pro range which it had always been closer to than the consumer-targeted MacBooks.

The first MacBook Pro 13" is a similar machine to the MacBook Aluminium. Maximum memory capacity was increased from 4GB to 8GB, a FireWire 800 port and an SD memory card slot were added. It does not have an ExpressCard expansion slot. It was sold with a 2.26GHz or 2.53GHz CPU. Apple specs here.

In April 2010 the MacBook Pro 13" was updated with faster processor options (2.4GHz or 2.66GHz) and better graphics processing. Compatibility of upgrades remains unchanged. Apple specs here.

How to Identify these Machines

Distinguishing the MacBook Aluminium/MacBook Pro 13" from the white or black MacBooks is simple, since the previous models have white or black plastic cases vs the aluminium ones of this model.

This Mac does look similar to the other MacBook Pros. The obvious difference is the screen size - the MacBooks have a 13.3" screen, while the MacBook Pros have a 15.4" or 17" display.

You can easily tell the difference between the original MacBook Aluminium and the later MacBook Pro 13" by the formers lack of a FireWire port or SD card slot, both of which are present on the MacBook Pro 13".

To tell the difference between the considerably more difficult, but since upgrade compatibility is the same this isn't a major problem.

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Memory Upgrades

The MacBook Aluminium and MacBook Pro 13" use DDR3 PC8500 RAM running at 1066MHz. Both Macs have 2 slots.

In the original MacBook Aluminium each of the memory slots can take a maximum of a 2GB module, for a total of 4GB.

In the MacBook pro 13" released in June 2009 and the updated April 2010 model, each slot can take 4GB for a maximum of 8GB.

It is recommended but not required that RAM is installed in matched pairs of equal capacity.

Kingston DDR3 PC8500 SODIMM - 2GB	£57.61 + vat (£67.69)
Kingston DDR3 PC8500 SODIMM - 4GB	£123.76 + vat (£145.42)	1

1	Not compatible with the MacBook Aluminum, only the MacBook Pro 13" released in June 2009. The MacBook Pro 13" has a FireWire 800 port and an SD card slot which are missing from the earlier MacBook Aluminium.

Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.

Difficulty 3/5 - Reasonably Easy

You do need to undo some screws and remove the base of the machine to fit memory to this Mac, see here for full instructions.

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CD & DVD Drive Upgrades

Internally the MacBook Aluminium and MacBook Pro 13" use an Apple specific SATA optical drive, it can also use external USB 2 devices.

There are no optical drive upgrades available for these Macs

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Internal Hard Drive Upgrades

The MacBook Aluminium and MacBook Pro 13" take 2.5" SATA hard drives internally. All the following drives are compatible.

If you don't want to fit a new hard drive yourself, you can take advantage of the MacUpgrades Installation Service. Add the installation service from the list below to your cart along with your chosen hard drive. We can also clone your existing hard drive onto the new one, simply add the Clone Original Hard Drive service below to your cart.

Once you have booked the service, send your machine to us, we will carry out the work and return it to you. Alternatively, we do offer a Collection Service with our courier, please see here for details.

INSTALLATION - Internal Hard Drive in a PowerBook or MacBook	£29.00 + vat (£34.08)
INSTALLATION - Clone Original Hard Drive	£25.00 + vat (£29.38)
Seagate Momentus 5400.6 160GB 2.5" SATA 5400RPM	£32.98 + vat (£38.75)
Seagate Momentus 5400.6 250GB 2.5" SATA 5400RPM	£33.91 + vat (£39.84)
Western Digital Scorpio 250GB 2.5" SATA 5400RPM	£35.63 + vat (£41.87)
Western Digital Scorpio 320GB 2.5" SATA 5400RPM	£42.00 + vat (£49.35)
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 500GB 2.5" SATA 5400RPM	£50.17 + vat (£58.95)
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 640GB 2.5" SATA 5400RPM	£73.50 + vat (£86.36)
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 750GB 12.5mm 2.5" SATA 5400RPM	£126.22 + vat (£148.31)
Western Digital Scorpio Blue 1TB 12.5mm 2.5" SATA 5200RPM	£158.94 + vat (£186.75)
Seagate Momentus 7200.4 160GB 2.5" SATA 7200RPM	£35.72 + vat (£41.97)
Seagate Momentus 7200.4 250GB 2.5" SATA 7200RPM	£36.78 + vat (£43.22)
Seagate Momentus 7200.4 320GB 2.5" SATA 7200RPM	£43.02 + vat (£50.55)
Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB 2.5" SATA 7200RPM	£55.76 + vat (£65.52)
Seagate Momentus XT 7200.1 320GB SATA 2.5" 32MB HYBRID 4GB SSD	£84.68 + vat (£99.50)
Seagate Momentus XT 7200.1 500GB SATA 2.5" 32MB HYBRID 4GB SSD	£99.89 + vat (£117.37)
Internal SSD Drives
Intel X25-V SATA II SSD 40GB 9.5MM 2.5" High Performance	£105.32 + vat (£123.75)
Intel X25-M SATA II SSD 80GB 9.5MM 2.5" High Performance	£187.50 + vat (£220.31)
Intel X25-M SATA II SSD 160GB 9.5MM 2.5" High Performance	£371.26 + vat (£436.23)

Difficulty 3/5 - Reasonably easy

The hard drive in this Mac a user replaceable part - see Apple's instructions here.

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Graphics Card Upgrades

The graphics card is not replaceable on the Mac.

There are no graphics card upgrades available for these Macs

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Expansion Card Upgrades

This Mac does not have an expansion socket and so cannot use expansion cards.

There are no expansion cards available for these Macs

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Keyboards & Mice

An external keyboard and/or mouse can be connected via a USB socket.

Macally Pebble USB 5 button laser mouse	£14.20 + vat (£16.68)
Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (UK) Wired	£28.97 + vat (£34.04)

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Power Supplies & Batteries

Listed below are power supplies, batteries and related products we supply for this Mac.

Cables & Tools

Listed below are power cables, tools and related products we supply for this Mac.

Sonnet FireWire 400 to 800 Adapter	£9.95 + vat (£11.69)
Torx Screwdriver Set - 20mm T6, T7, T8, T9, T10	£8.00 + vat (£9.40)
Screwdriver Set - 20mm Phillips #00, #0, #1 - Flat 1.4mm, 1.8mm, 2.4mm	£7.00 + vat (£8.22)
Anti Static Wrist Strap	£7.50 + vat (£8.81)

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External Hard Drive Upgrades

With the lack of FireWire on the MacBook Aluminium, and the fact that it has no expansion port for adding additional connectivity, you can only use hard drives which have a USB 2 connection with this Mac.

The MacBook Pro 13" has a FireWire 800 port so can control any FireWire drive. It does need an adapter or a 6pin - 9pin FireWire cable to attach a FireWire 400 device.

3.5" USB 2.0 Hard Drives
Iomega Prestige 3.5in USB 2.0 7200RPM External Hard Drive - 1.5TB	£105.24 + vat (£123.66)
Iomega Prestige 3.5in USB 2.0 7200RPM External Hard Drive - 2TB	£140.09 + vat (£164.61)
3.5" FireWire 400/eSATA & USB 2.0 Hard Drives
Macally G-S350SUA External FireWire 400/eSATA/USB 2 3.5in 500GB Hard Drive	£82.82 + vat (£97.31)
Macally G-S350SUA External FireWire 400/eSATA/USB 2 3.5in 750GB Hard Drive	£100.40 + vat (£117.97)
Macally G-S350SUA External FireWire 400/eSATA/USB 2 3.5in 1TB Hard Drive	£106.94 + vat (£125.65)
Macally G-S350SUA External FireWire 400/eSATA/USB 2 3.5in 1.5TB Hard Drive	£123.53 + vat (£145.15)
Macally G-S350SUA External FireWire 400/eSATA/USB 2 3.5in 2TB Hard Drive	£158.02 + vat (£185.67)
Drobo 4 Bay FW800/USB2 with 2x1TB WD Greenpower Bundle	£408.50 + vat (£479.99)	1
Drobo 4 Bay FW800/USB2 with 2x2TB WD Greenpower Bundle	£570.17 + vat (£669.95)	1
Drobo 4 Bay FW800/USB2 with 4x1TB WD Greenpower Bundle	£561.69 + vat (£659.99)	1
Drobo 4 Bay FW800/USB2 with 4x2TB WD Greenpower Bundle	£893.57 + vat (£1049.94)	1
3.5" FireWire 400/800/eSATA & USB 2.0 Hard Drives
Macally G-S350SUAB External FireWire 400/800/eSATA/USB 2 3.5in 500GB Hard Drive	£99.87 + vat (£117.35)
Macally G-S350SUAB External FireWire 400/800/eSATA/USB 2 3.5in 750GB Hard Drive	£121.54 + vat (£142.81)
Macally G-S350SUAB External FireWire 400/800/eSATA/USB 2 3.5in 1TB Hard Drive	£129.83 + vat (£152.55)
Macally G-S350SUAB External FireWire 400/800/eSATA/USB 2 3.5in 1.5TB Hard Drive	£146.41 + vat (£172.03)
Macally G-S350SUAB External FireWire 400/800/eSATA/USB 2 3.5in 2TB Hard Drive	£180.90 + vat (£212.56)
2.5" FireWire 400 & USB 2.0 Hard Drives
Macally PHR-S250CC FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 2.5in 250GB 5400RPM Hard Drive	£68.36 + vat (£80.32)
Macally PHR-S250CC FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 2.5in 320GB 5400RPM Hard Drive	£74.15 + vat (£87.13)
Macally PHR-S250CC FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 2.5in 500GB 5400RPM Hard Drive	£85.18 + vat (£100.09)
Macally PHR-S250CC FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 2.5in 640GB 5400RPM Hard Drive	£107.82 + vat (£126.69)
Macally PHR-S250CC FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 2.5in 250GB 7200RPM Hard Drive	£69.89 + vat (£82.12)
Macally PHR-S250CC FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 2.5in 320GB 7200RPM Hard Drive	£74.75 + vat (£87.83)
Macally PHR-S250CC FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 2.5in 500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive	£94.73 + vat (£111.31)
3.5" Drive Enclosures
Macally G-S350SUA External USB 2.0/FW400/eSATA Enclosure for 3.5" SATA HDD	£52.65 + vat (£61.86)
Drobo 4 Bay FW800 + USB 2.0 Storage Array (no disks)	£259.57 + vat (£304.99)	1
2.5" Drive Enclosures
Macally PHR-S250CC External FireWire & USB 2.0 Portable 2.5" SATA HDD Enclosure	£38.45 + vat (£45.18)
Akasa Integral P2 USB 2.0 & eSATA Enclosure for 2.5" SATA Drives	£21.52 + vat (£25.29)

1	The true MacBook Pro 13in can use this product via FireWire 800. The earlier MacBook Aluminium does not have FireWire 800 and can only use this through USB 2.0.

Difficulty 1 / 5 Easy

Install any supplied software, restart the machine and connect the new device.

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MacBook Pro 13" Upgrades

Original Tech Specs

History

How to Identify these Machines

Memory Upgrades

CD & DVD Drive Upgrades

Internal Hard Drive Upgrades

Internal SSD Drives

Graphics Card Upgrades

Expansion Card Upgrades

Keyboards & Mice

Power Supplies & Batteries

Cables & Tools

External Hard Drive Upgrades

3.5" USB 2.0 Hard Drives

3.5" FireWire 400/eSATA & USB 2.0 Hard Drives

3.5" FireWire 400/800/eSATA & USB 2.0 Hard Drives

2.5" FireWire 400 & USB 2.0 Hard Drives

3.5" Drive Enclosures

2.5" Drive Enclosures