MacBook Late 2008 Aluminum

Sporting a black and silver aesthetic that evokes the Aluminum iMacs, the "Unibody" MacBook "Core 2 Duo" (Late 2008/Aluminum) series debuted a completely new case construction, precision-milled from a single aluminum block. This method yields a system with enhanced strength, less weight, and a more refined finish compared to its predecessors.

The Apple MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13-Inch (Unibody - Late 2008/Aluminum) is equipped with a 45 nm "Penryn" 2.0 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (P7350), which has two independent "cores" on one silicon chip. It also features a 3 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, and 2 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) installed as a pair of 1 GB modules. Storage includes a 160 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive and an 8X DL "SuperDrive". The system integrates a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor sharing 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory, a built-in iSight camera, and an LED-backlit 13.3" widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display with a 1280x800 native resolution.

Connectivity options consist of AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, an optical digital/analog audio in/out port, and a new "Mini DisplayPort" that drives an external display up to 2560x1600. Notably, it lacks a Firewire "400" port.

Beyond the new enclosure, the "Unibody" line introduces several upgrades over the "Early 2008/Penryn" models it succeeded. These include a new glass "multi-touch" trackpad without a physical button, which supports new "four finger" gestures and programmable "zones". It also boasts a quicker architecture with a faster system bus, memory, and graphics processor, plus an LED-backlit display. While the premium MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (Unibody) features a backlit keyboard, this particular model does not.

Introduced in late 2008, the aluminum unibody MacBook was praised for its significant evolution in both design and rigidity, thanks to a chassis milled from a single block of aluminum. Many users admired its sophisticated appearance and the vastly improved premium feel over the previous polycarbonate models. The adoption of NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics substantially enhanced graphical performance, providing a much smoother user experience. The new glass multi-touch trackpad was also well-received for its spaciousness and responsiveness. However, the omission of the FireWire port was lamented by some professional users. Although this 2.0 GHz model lacked the backlit keyboard found on its higher-end sibling, its well-executed design and balanced performance made it a compelling option for a wide range of consumers.