MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (Black-08)

Here you can find the exact specifications of this Mac, along with guaranteed compatible upgrades for it, and an upgrade tool to let you quickly build an order which can be saved for later or shared with a friend.

  • Part Number: MB404LL/A
  • Model: MacBook Early 2008
  • Model Identifier: MacBook4,1
  • Introduced: 2008
  • Discontinued: 2008
  • Model Number: A1181
  • Max Operating System Version: OS X 10.7.5 (Lion) (purchase)
  • Earliest Supported OSX Version: OS X 10.5.2 (Leopard)
Links to download compatible OSX from Apple
  • CPU Speed: 2.4GHz
  • RAM Type: DDR2 PC5300 SODIMM 667MHz
  • RAM Slots: 2
  • Max RAM by Slot: 1 x 4GB + 1 x 2GB
  • Maximum RAM: 6GB
  • RAM Pairing: There is a benefit but not a requirement to install memory in matched pairs
  • Drive Connection: SATA 150
  • Drive Platter Size: 2.5"
  • Device Connectivity: USB 2.0, FireWire 400
  • Bluetooth: 2.0+EDR
  • Video Output: Mini-DVI
  • Apple User Documentation: User Guide
  • Repair and Upgrade guides: From ifixit.com
100% Compatability Guarantee
  • RAM Upgrades
  • Internal Drives
  • External Drives
  • CD/DVD/Blu-ray Drives
  • Batteries & Power Supplies
  • Graphics & Displays
  • Keyboards, Mice & Trackpads
  • Cables, Adaptors & Tools
  • Repairs
  • Configure RAM & Drive Upgrades
  • RAM Type: DDR2 PC5300 SODIMM 667MHz
  • RAM Slots: 2
  • Max RAM by Slot: 1 x 4GB + 1 x 2GB
  • Maximum RAM: 6GB
  • RAM Pairing: There is a benefit but not a requirement to install memory in matched pairs

Compatible RAM for this Mac

What is RAM and how does it help? - Click here for more info

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, it is a short term store for data which is only used while the machine is in operation. This is not where your data and applications are stored (that's the Hard Drive or Solid State Drive) so RAM can be replaced without worrying about any data transfer issues.

How much RAM you need depends very much on what you are doing with your Mac. Adding more and more RAM does not necessarily speed your machine up - rather the better way to think about it is that not having enough RAM will slow you down. When your system runs out of physical memory it will use virtual memory on your hard drive instead, this is orders of magnitude slower than RAM, and will result in more instances of the spinning wheel or stuttering.

The more RAM you have, the more things you can do at once and you are able to switch between them better. Also as later operating systems come along they have greater requirements, so a machine feeling fast running OSX 10.7 with 4GB of RAM may well feel sluggish in OSX 10.10 with the same.

Here are the amounts of RAM we have found to be the real minimum for comfortable use in different operating systems. The minimum levels here are not absolute, but even lighter users will be well advised to take steps to minimise RAM use (principly restricting the number of applications they use simultaneously) if they are below them. Of course for some more specialist users of RAM intensive applications, even the ideal amounts listed will be grossly inadequate.

  • Mac OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard - Min 2GB, ideal 4GB or above
  • Mac OSX 10.7 Lion and 10.8 Mountain Lion - Min 4GB, ideal 6GB or above
  • Mac OSX 10.9 Mavericks,10.10 Yosemite, 10.11 El Capitan - Min 6GB, ideal 8GB or above
  • macOS 10.12 Sierra - 8GB or above

Some systems may not be able to use these amounts but will still run the newer OSs, in these cases maximising your RAM will be the best you can do. To get a better idea of your own specific RAM requirements, you can use the Activity Monitor utility built into OSX. This will let you see how much RAM you really need while using your Mac in the way you use it. Activity Monitor is inside your Utilities folder, which is inside your Applications folder. Apple have an in-depth explanation of how to use Activity Monitor here.

There are lots of different types of RAM. The RAM modules and compatability information below was generated from the Serial Number or Model ID you selected, and is guaranteed to work 100% or your money back. Even if your manual says otherwise! Original manuals, and even online documentation, are not updated after a machine is released and therefore not up to date with the actual maximum RAM that can be used. Many machines can make full use of more RAM than the offical spec, and we guarantee that the maximum amounts we list will work flawlessly, and be fully utilised by your Mac.

Click to Close

Watch a RAM installation guide from OWC

Apple memory fitting documentation: User Guide

Installation Services

Don't want to fit the RAM yourself? Have us install it for you - full details here.

Compatible Internal Optical Drives for this Mac

Watch an optical drive installation guide from OWC

Installation Services

Compatible External Optical Drives for this Mac

- Requires at least MacOS 10.6.

Compatible Internal Hard Drives & SSDs for this Mac

Internal Drives: your options explained - Click here for more info

The hard drive or solid state drive is where all your documents, data and applications are stored permanently. Below this box are all the drives we do that are guaranteed 100% compatible with this Mac, based off the Serial Number or Model ID that you have selected.

The list below is divided into sections for the main types of drives, which can include:

  • Solid State Drives (SSDs) - large chunks of Flash memory used for storage, the fastest and most reliable option, but also the smallest and most expensive.
  • Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) - the standard rotational drives used in older Macs. Big and cheap, but much slower than SSDs and subject to mechanical failures that do not effect SSDs. These have a spin speed measured in Revolutions Per Minute (RPM), with higher numbers being faster operating drives.

For more details on the differences between these drives, please see this post on our blog.

With most Macs there are lots of options for having more or faster storage, and many can take multiple drives so you can mix and match SSDs and rotational hard drives to find your ideal combination of size, speed and budget. Some Macs have more than one main drive bay, and many Macs can use our range of caddies to replace their DVD drives with additional hard drives or SSDs. Some Macs also have additional drive bays that can be used with a mounting kit. If you have multiple types of bay in this Mac, you can select them with the grey tabs below this box.

It is very important with all system drives (that is, a drive that you boot from) to leave a good amount of free space to allow the system to work well. We recommend leaving around 20-30GB of free space on the system drive, The closer you get to full on your system drive, the slower the Mac will perform.

A 1TB drive can hold:

  • Up to 1,000 hours of digital video
  • Up to 250 two-hour DVD films
  • Up to 320,000 digital photos
  • Up to 16,660 hours of digital music

All drives come blank and will need to be formatted (erased), and if they are to be a boot drive, have an operating system installed. There are a variety of ways of restoring your data, either through time machine or by cloning. We sell drives, tools, enclosures and cables for you to do the work at home (see the "Cables, Adaptors & Tools" tab above), or you can send/bring your machine to us for us to do the work - prices all below. However you do it, you can be sure you are getting the correct part with our 100% compatibility guarantee.

Click to Close
  • Main Drive Bay
  • Optical Drive Bay

This Mac has 1 main drive bay which can take any of the drives below

Watch a drive installation guide from OWC

Apple drive fitting documentation: Drive Fitting Guide (note: the Apple guide skips over transfering the bracket from the old drive to the new one, see Steps 6, 7 and 8 in this iFixit guide)

Solid State Drives

  -  Must be running OSX 10.6.8 or higher.

  -  Must be running OSX 10.6.8 or higher.

  -  Must be running OSX 10.6.8 or higher.

7200RPM Hard Drives

5400RPM Hybrid Hard Drives

5400RPM Hard Drives

Installation Services

Don't want to fit the hard drive yourself? Have us install it for you - full details here.

Hard Drives & SSDs for the optical drive bay - this replaces the DVD drive (mounting caddy required)

Mounting caddy for this bay

Solid State Drives

  -  Must be running OSX 10.6.8 or higher.

  -  Must be running OSX 10.6.8 or higher.

  -  Must be running OSX 10.6.8 or higher.

7200RPM Hard Drives

5400RPM Hybrid Hard Drives

5400RPM Hard Drives

Installation Services

Don't want to fit the hard drive yourself? Have us install it for you - full details here.

Graphics & Display Repair Services (parts included if applicable)

Here are our list of fixed cost repair services for broken display repairs for this Mac. We are able in many cases to separate the LCD and glass from a whole range of Apple Macs, rather than replacing a whole display assembly (which can run into many hundreds of pounds). We've been doing these repairs for years, and the results have been very good.

Keyboards & Mice

USB Mice

Compatible Power Supply and Battery Products for this Mac

Apple batteries and power fitting documentation: Battery Replacement Instuctions

AC Adaptors

Compatible Cables, Adaptors and Tools for this Mac

USB 2.0

FireWire 400 (6 pin)

Mini-DVI

Tools for this Mac

Compatible External Drives and Enclosures

External SSDs

  -  This Mac can connect to USB 3, but not at full speed. Requires at least MacOS 10.6.8.

  -  This Mac can connect to USB 3, but not at full speed. Requires at least MacOS 10.6.8.

External Hard Drives

  -  This Mac can connect to USB 3, but not at full speed.

  -  This Mac can connect to USB 3, but not at full speed.

  -  This Mac can connect to USB 3, but not at full speed. Requires at least MacOS 10.6.

  -  This Mac can connect to USB 3, but not at full speed. Requires at least MacOS 10.6.

External Drive Enclosures

Repair and Installation Services

See repair guides from ifixit.com

Here are our list of fixed cost repair and installation services for this Mac. All machines for repair or upgrade can either be shipped to us (we can arrange collection if desired), or you are welcome to drop the machine into our offices in Sawston, Cambridge. We have been doing Apple Mac repairs since 2001, you can be assured of a complete, speedy, good value and professional service.

Repairs

Installation Services (parts not included)

Configure RAM & Drive Upgrades

You can use this tool to build an upgrade order and have us. Using this tool will also generate a link you can use to create this order again yourself, or share with someone else.

Note: This tool only selects from in stock products. Items that are out of stock, or special order items with extended lead times, can be added to your order from the other tabs.

RAM Upgrades

Select RAM to upgrade your machine from the drop down below. Note that you have 2 RAM sockets in this machine. Depending on how much memory is currently installed you may need to remove the existing RAM before fitting more.


Hard Drive & SSD Upgrades

You have 1 standard drive bay, and also 1 additional bay where you can fit a drive by replacing the optical (DVD) drive.

Bay 1:


Bay 2 - CD/DVD drive bay: An extra drive can be mounted here using this kit: Optical Drive Bay Hard Drive Caddy IDE - SATA for 9.5mm Drives
(prices include the mounting caddy):


Installation Services

- details here

If required, we can fit your new components for you. Note, if we are fitting multiple parts, you do not need to pay separately for each of them to be fitted - the order created will include only the most expensive fitting service.

Have us fit RAM? - Cost: £10.00 + vat

Have us fit drives? - Cost: £29.00 + vat

Optionally, if we are fitting a drive, we can clone the contents of your old OS X boot drive to the new one - taking across the installation of OS X along with all your applications, data and settings. NB: this cost is on top of the installation charge for the drive.
Have us clone the old drive? - Cost: £25.00 + vat

(note: we need an administrator password to the Mac to clone the hard drive)

If we are shipping the upgrades to you for you to install yourself, please choose a delivery option during checkout.

If we are fitting the parts for you, you need to get the machine to us. You can either bring it to our Cambridge location, or ship to us via any method you choose, or you can have us send our courier (DPD Local) to collect it. Collection costs £24.68 + vat and the machine must be packaged for transit with at least 2 to 3 inches of packing material around each dimension (note: iMacs should only be shipped in their original box with their original packing inserts). You can specify any working day for collection, but you cannot choose a time. For any weight under 10kg we advise people to ship the machine themselves via Royal Mail Special Delivery - you can get a tracked next-day delivery with additional insurance for less than our collection service, and it is generally more convenient than waiting in for a courier.

Have us send our courier to collect?

Return shipping (or collection by yourself) is chosen when you check the order out.

With this box checked, the upgrade order will replace any items in your cart. If you want to add it to items already in the cart, please uncheck this box.