MacBook (White or Black) Upgrades

This page deals with the White and the Black MacBooks. The Aluminium MacBooks released October 2008 are covered here.

The MacBook was introduced in May 2006, and completed the transition of Apple's laptop lineup from PowerPC to Intel CPUs, following the MacBook Pro 17" in April and the MacBook Pro 15.4" in January. The last revision was made in May 2010.

The MacBook succeeded the iBook G4 as Apple's consumer focused laptop. Unlike the iBook however the MacBook has optical audio in/out, gigabit ethernet and is capable of true dual monitor support (spanning as opposed to mirroring), leaving the main differentiations between the consumer and professional models as screen size, expansion slots (none on the MacBook), graphics subsystem (the MacBook uses Intel integrated graphics) and FireWire 800 (not present on the first revision of the 15" MacBook Pro).

Apple specs for the original MacBook can be found here.

In November 2006 Apple upgraded the MacBook to use the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Apple specs here. A speed bump up to 2.16GHz on the high end models was introduced in May 2007. Apple specs here.

In November 2007 the MacBook moved to the Santa Rosa chipset. These MacBooks have a marginal CPU speedbump, use an improved Intel integrated graphics card and an increase of the front side bus from 667MHz to 800MHz. Importantly these MacBooks can take a maximum of 6GB RAM rather than the 2GB on all previous models. Apple specs here.

In February 2008 the MacBook moved to the Penryn processor running at 2.1GHz or 2.4GHz, with the default RAM increased to 2GB and default hard drives increased on the black model. Compatibility for upgrades was unchanged. Apple specs here.

In October 2008 Apple released the MacBook Aluminium, while continuing to sell the then current generation of the white MacBook along side it. White MacBooks purchased after this date are dealt with on this page, for the Aluminium MacBooks please go here.

In January 2009 the White MacBook was updated, and continued to be sold alongside the Aluminium model. The major change in this revision was the replacement of the integrated Intel graphics chipset with an NVidia GeForce 9400M and a change in the front side bus to 1066MHz. Apple specs here.

An update in May 2009 increased the memory bus to 800MHz (from 667MHz), this model changes the RAM type used from DDR2 PC5300 to DDR2 PC6400. Apple specs here.

In October 2009 the range was updated with the white Unibody MacBook. This model has a redesigned case and the memory bus upgraded to 1066Mhz taking up to 8GB of DDR3 PC8500 memory. The battery was changed to a non-removable type and the FireWire port was dropped. Apple specs here.

In May 2010 a minor update increased the processor speed and upgraded the graphics card to the NVidia 320M. Upgrade compatibility remained unchanged in its stock configuration, however models running 10.7.5 or later with the latest EFI update can run 16GB in 2 x 8GB modules. Apple specs here.

The MacBook name was reused for the MacBook Retina ranges in Early 2015 and Early 2016, but these machines are a single totally unupgradeable board, and are closer to being an iPad running OSX than a Mac.

The white MacBook looks fairly similar to the previous iBook G4, although it has a wide aspect ratio glossy 13.3" screen, as opposed to standard ratio 12" and 14" matt screens available for the iBook. The black MacBook is very distinctive.

System Profile can be used to identify the CPU type, which will be Intel Core Duo or Core 2 Duo in the MacBook and PowerPC G4 for the previous iBook. The other Intel Core Duo Apple laptops are the MacBook Pro 15.4", the MacBook Pro 17", and the MacBook Aluminium, all of which have a silvered finish.

Please note this RAM is compatible with White and Black MacBooks only. For Aluminium MacBooks please go here.

The white and black MacBooks made up until May 2009 take DDR2-PC5300 SODIMM memory modules, the model released then uses DDR2-PC6400 SODIMM modules, and that released in October 2009 takes DDR3-PC8500 SODIMM modules. Like all the Intel based Macs with integrated graphics, RAM modules ideally should be installed in matched pairs - this gives the memory bandwidth necessary to a graphics system that uses normal system memory.

To identify your exact machine, open System Profiler (Apple menu > About This Mac, then click the More Info button). On the hardware overview that comes up, you will find the "bus speed" of your MacBook, this is the front-side bus. On the left-hand list of options in System Profiler, select Memory. This will give you a break-down of the memory installed, in the Speed column you will see the memory bus speed.

MacBooks made up until November 2007 can take a maximum of 2GB in 2 x 1GB PC5300 modules. For identification, these MacBooks have a front-side bus speed of 667MHz and a memory speed of 667MHz.

MacBooks made after then but before May 2009 can take a maximum of 6GB in 1 x 4GB and 1 x 2GB PC5300 modules. For identification, these MacBooks have a front-side bus speed of 800MHz or 1066MHz and a memory speed of 667MHz.

MacBooks made after May 2009 but before October 2009 can take a maximum of 6GB in 1 x 4GB and 1 x 2GB PC6400 modules. For identification, these MacBooks have a front-side bus speed of 1066MHz and a memory speed of 800MHz.

MacBooks made after October 2009 can take a maximum of 8GB in 2 x 4GB PC8500 modules. For identification, these MacBooks have a front-side bus speed of 1066MHz and a memory bus speed of 1066MHz. This model comes in the new unibody case and the FireWire port present on all previous models has been dropped.

The mid-2010 revision is the same as the previous revision in its stock configuration, however models running 10.7.5 or later with the latest EFI update can run 16GB in 2 x 8GB modules

To tell the difference the best way is to use System Profiler. Front-side bus speed is listed in the Hardware Overview as "Bus Speed", and memory speed can be seen in the Memory section, which gives you the speed of any modules installed.

All MacBooks come with a Combo Drive or SuperDrive as standard. It is possible to use an external device via FireWire or USB 2.0.

The MacBook uses a 2.5" SATA hard drive. All of the following drives are compatible with the MacBook.

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.

The MacBook uses an Intel integrated graphics architecture which cannot be upgraded.

The MacBook does not have any expansion slots, therefore the only expansion card it can take is an Airport Extreme card - which is fitted by default on all models.

The MacBook can use external keyboards and mice through USB or Bluetooth.

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

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

The MacBook can use a wide range of external hard drives through both FireWire 400 and USB 2.0. See below for a list of compatible drives and enclosures.

Any complete machines of this type or similar that we have for sale are listed here. Please note that these are refurbished models with a 3 month warranty, and that delivery is likely to take 3 - 5 working days. These can be purchased online with the standard website courier delivery charge for the mainland UK only. Please contact us for a quote on shipping to other areas.

Here are the various repair services we offer for this Mac. You can have us take the machine in for evaluation, or book a fixed-price repair if you already know what the fault is and the service is listed below (for services without parts, please see the relevant tab on this page for compatible parts that we sell). If you know what the fault is, but we don't have a fixed-price repair listed below, please contact us for a quote.