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Apple's Last Plastic MacBook Now Considered Obsolete
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I got one of the 2009 White MacBooks from a client two years ago. It still works great, When I'm on the road I use it for Xcode and FCP X, Motion and Compressor. It only has 4 GB RAM but still works. Running Sierra.
Not sure whether to replace it or wait for new models. I'll probably wait.
Not sure whether to replace it or wait for new models. I'll probably wait.
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My dad still use mine. I replaced the drive with a SSD for them and it works great still. Only you can't upgrade the system and apps much more. Also the rubber bottom has loosened quite a bit too. Found out about the replacement program too late...
I love the entire MacBook line, but the unibody plastic ones were really special. They are very light and "thin" but still feel very sturdy. The plastic is just slick and shiny enough to not look out of place. They are still very much usable computers. They will run Sierra natively. I put 8gb of RAM and an SSD in my mid-2010, and it's pleasantly snappy.
I'm curious to know about the "black Unibody" Macbook that Apple references. I've never encountered one, and trust me as a collector I'd be all over one. I have two of the earlier(pre-Unibody) ones in black-one a late 2007 and the other an early 2008(last generation of black) but have never encountered a unibody model.
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Not sure what you're talking about. These computers have the same glass "buttonless" trackpad as used in MBPs until they were phased out by ForceTouch models. The only broken ones I've seen have been as a result of a swollen battery that cracked the pad-a problem that MBPs are not immune to.
32 bit(CoreDuo) processors were only in the first generation or two of MacBook-the same as the MBP, Mini, and iMac of the era. I think they were gone by the end of 2006. The unibody MBs this article discusses all had C2D processors.
I'm curious to know about the "black Unibody" Macbook that Apple references. I've never encountered one, and trust me as a collector I'd be all over one. I have two of the earlier(pre-Unibody) ones in black-one a late 2007 and the other an early 2008(last generation of black) but have never encountered a unibody model.
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Not sure what you're talking about. These computers have the same glass "buttonless" trackpad as used in MBPs until they were phased out by ForceTouch models. The only broken ones I've seen have been as a result of a swollen battery that cracked the pad-a problem that MBPs are not immune to.
32 bit(CoreDuo) processors were only in the first generation or two of MacBook-the same as the MBP, Mini, and iMac of the era. I think they were gone by the end of 2006. The unibody MBs this article discusses all had C2D processors.
I've always considered the G5 to be the first real entry into the Apple's current design aesthetic and the beginning of the end of the designs I really liked, but you're absolutely right about the inside. So orderly, so clean. It still compares favorably to high end custom designer PCs. Though I personally still prefer the G4 for how the hinged side laid the motherboard down where you could get to it easily.
Loved the plastic MacBook. Apple tax only moderate with a sensible price-point, pretty durable. Still have a really beat up 2006 black one that just about works as a movie box for the kids.
Apple should bring back a plastic MacBook or equivalent. Something not to compete with 299 supermarket laptops but something 500-600.
Apple should bring back a plastic MacBook or equivalent. Something not to compete with 299 supermarket laptops but something 500-600.
My Early 2008 13" white MacBook has been great! It's been obsolete for several years. Few years ago the battery started to swell and it rocked on the desk. Took in to local authorized repair shop. Found out battery AND keyboard were supposed to be replaced under warrantee. Came home like new. Have put 4 GB and 128 GB SSD in it (easy peasy) and runs really, really well. Boots very quickly. Sadly, it's stuck on Lion and now Safari won't open up 50% or more of the sites I try to get to. Have gone through the MANY pages of hackers instructions for installing Yosemite, etc., on an unsupported Mac. Just don't understand enough to get it done and wished there were better instructions. Still has working DVD and little blinking light on the front is always a welcome sight. White plastic is beautiful. Sniff, sniff.
You can install Mountain Lion as I did on my 2006 iMac. I wouldn't try anything newer, though.
As for browsers, Firefox 45 runs in 10.7.5 just fine and will render sites much better than the old Safari. There is even an easy way to get Firefox 52 working in 10.8.5 Mountain Lion, although I haven't tested to see if it works in 10.7.5.
...writing this from my early '08 black 4,1 macbook, the latest black laptop from apple (OP is wrong).
This is my main machine and it has been for the past 9 years. I was so excited when I bought it back in April '08! It is the only Mac I ever owned. Upgraded RAM to 4GB (soon to go to 6GB). Remember the stunning performance improvement back in 2013 after replacing my HDD with a seagate momentus XT hybrid SSD. It still serves me well. Plus it has endured falls and mishandling. My only complaint would be the integrated GMAx3100, keeps me stuck at Lion, although I'll probably try the Mavericks uns. solution soon.
This is my main machine and it has been for the past 9 years. I was so excited when I bought it back in April '08! It is the only Mac I ever owned. Upgraded RAM to 4GB (soon to go to 6GB). Remember the stunning performance improvement back in 2013 after replacing my HDD with a seagate momentus XT hybrid SSD. It still serves me well. Plus it has endured falls and mishandling. My only complaint would be the integrated GMAx3100, keeps me stuck at Lion, although I'll probably try the Mavericks uns. solution soon.
A the "polycarbonate macbooks?" a NO the Aluminum Unibody Macs phased out their trackpads... I think were talking about the "Plastic MacBook?" like in the title? It's the main reason I bought an Aluminum Unibody MackBook Pro
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The article is talking about the late 2009 and mid 2010 Polycarbonate Macbooks.
These are substantially different from the mid-09 and earlier polycarbonate MacBooks.
The size and shape is similar to that of the aluminum Macbook and the 13" MacBook Pros. They share a port layout with the Al MacBook(no Firewire, while the earlier ones had FW400, along with separate audio in and out unlike the 13" Pro), although have a non-removable battery like all 13" MBPs.
Architecturally, they are similar to the '08 Aluminum and use DDR3 RAM(the pre-Unibody models used DDR2).
And, yes, the trackpad is glass and buttonless, albeit white and not silver like the aluminum models.
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Prior to Late 2009, the white MacBooks did use the older style of trackpad with separate button. But the Unibody white MacBooks released in Late 2009 and Mid 2010 inherited the glass trackpad found in the MacBook Pros. Same size, same button, same gestures. The MacBook that this article is referring to is the Mid 2010.
I saved for a new MacBook Pro but was unable to justify the price when it was released. I dug out my broken MacBook Unibody (13-inch, Mid 2009). I replaced the HD with a Crucial SSD and upgraded the OS. I discovered it would accept 8GB RAM!!! I am now running 10.12.4.
I have forgotten all about getting a new MacBook for the time being...this thing is fast and solid. I am unable to access features like Handoff and I cannot connect to my iPhone via Bluetooth because it is not compatible with the iPhone Low Power Mode....or something like that, but apart from that it is still a great little machine. When I am no longer able to upgrade the OS and it becomes noticeable, I will retire it and use it as a very able Media Server with the Universal Media Server App.
Great machine, great value...7 years of service...they don't make em like they used too!
I have forgotten all about getting a new MacBook for the time being...this thing is fast and solid. I am unable to access features like Handoff and I cannot connect to my iPhone via Bluetooth because it is not compatible with the iPhone Low Power Mode....or something like that, but apart from that it is still a great little machine. When I am no longer able to upgrade the OS and it becomes noticeable, I will retire it and use it as a very able Media Server with the Universal Media Server App.
Great machine, great value...7 years of service...they don't make em like they used too!
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Must try that. Upgraded OSX about a year ago but it was really slow. Hence I can never get my Air back as it has been commondeered. Previous White won't upgrade.
7 years is kinda a long time altho, 2x Mac Pro 2006 2.6 GHz Quads going to be year 11 in August, and they are going to last even longer, to quote someone earlier, they don't make them like they used to.
One thing I don't get is how the computer industry, Apple mainly, doesn't think about how us mac users re-purpose our old macs and dedicate them to projects that they DO all day. I've got the old Apple Phone/Fax system on my 840av & G3 266 still running, and with Applescript it's a champ, emails to my iPhone, that's circa 1993! Still running 24 years strong?!? One of the Mac Pro's is a Logic Studio with Snow Leopard, still running strong! The other one is a Plex Viewer. The 2009 is an Xcode Server and File Server. I have a G5 2005 Quad, that is a sick ass MacMame Emulator after I got the ATI card for it, that uses the older USB devices trackballs Griffin Powermate drives etc. I could go on with the MacBooks and their repurposing but...
This whole computers get trashed and you buy a new one to replace it like a cell phone is hogwash!
Half the time you buy a computer it's for a dedicated project that they will eventually do and you want it to keep doing it FOREVER if you can. I mean think about the MacMinis that we all bought that we wanted to be a Media Server connected to our TVs, 1080p and poor video cards kinda hurt them in the end, but at the end of their runs some guys got the 2012s or better and want them to LAST! Not get thrown away, if they do the job they do THAT job, DONE...
And if we get 4K in the front room and need more power the MacMini goes to the kids room and they get "stuck" with 1080p for some years...
This MacBook was crazy that it was 64-bit! Long Life... macOS Sierra? wow!
This was the final version plastic Mac with a rubber base that tended to get very grubby and peel off with time. Apple initiated a repair program just for that. I had the earlier 2007 vintage white Mac with a separate trackpad key dubbed the Crackbook for the substandard thin and brittle keyboard lid that broke away at the edges. Mine is suitably "distressed" looking. I believe antique dealers call this a patina.
It also had a rubbish GMA950 integrated graphics processor, which choked on Flash or anything but the lowest resolution video. The internal fan got a frequent and prolonged workout.