Aluminum vs. White Macbook

I'm looking to purchase a Mac for my wife and am wondering on your thoughts of an Aluminum unibody or White Macbook. I have the 13 inch aluminum unibody, but the white one is not as expensive.
Is there a real difference? Your thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks

Under the hood, the machines are identical in terms of non-upgradeables like CPU and GPU. Both support up to 8GB of RAM although Apple only officially supports 4GB of the MacBook. The FireWire can be a huge deal breaker, especially if you have multiple Macs, FireWire peripherals or you're a fan of Target Disk Mode. While Apple has offered increased support for other means of replicating some of the functionality of FireWire in the form of Ethernet you still cannot beat the handiness of Target Disk Mode in the event of troubleshooting or transferring data.
I'll ask give the nod to the SD card slot, while I personally don't use it as it was originally intended (rapid access to SD cards from cameras) I've actually found myself using my SD cards for external storage and even installing custom images of OS X for troubleshooting. It's proven to be pretty handy and has basically become like a third USB port for me.
I personally like the fit and finish of the brushed aluminum unibody design, but I will say the unibody adoption on the MacBook (although it's still plastic) is a significant improvement over the previous design which was prone to structural fatigue over the years.
Honestly, you can't go wrong with either decision. If you do end up with the MacBook, I would encourage you to make the 4GB of RAM upgrade one of your first purchases.

Similar Messages

Aluminum Macbook compared to white Macbook

Ive been looking to buy a 2.0 Aluminum macbook but the white macbook now has a little bit faster processor and its 300 dollars cheaper. So could anyone tell me what makes the aluminum macbook worth that extra 300 dollars if there is any reason at all? Thank you very much for your answers.

Hi there Oscar,
In addition to what has been said above, the Aluminum Macbook now has DDR3 memory, whereas the white one has DDR2. This theoretically means the Aluminum one should handle having many windows open at a time better, etc.
To tell you the truth, you won't see much of a difference. If you are on a budget the white Macbook would make lots more sense. However, I recently upgraded from my old black Macbook to the Aluminum one, and the Aluminum one seems much sturdier. I was constantly having to take my old polycarbonate Macbook in for repairs and other things. It may be that the white Macbook has been improved, but it may not. I had to get my whole front casing replaced for my old Macbook ($400). It may be that though the Aluminum one's initial cost is much more, the cost of maintaining it for several years will be less.
Hope this helped,
Sasha

Macbook Aluminum vs. New White Macbook?

I just bought a brand new Aluminum Macbook, which is no longer in stores. I spent $1300. I believe I got ripped off. Do you suggest I keep this Macbook or return it and buy the new white Macbook? I do like the aluminum design more then the white though. lol. Suggestions or Recommendations are appreciated =]
Here are the specs:
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 memory
250GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive

You can get a NEW Macbook PRO for $1149. It has a FireWire port too.
Do you suggest I keep this Macbook or return it and buy the new white Macbook?
No. Return it and buy the new Macbook Pro.
The white Macbook has no FireWire port.

Is the Aluminum MacBook worth the extra $$$ over the new White MacBook

Hello,
This is going to be my first Mac purchase and am leaning towards the White MacBook over the Aluminum model but I've read a few postings on issues with the White MacBook display...
Thanks

Having a polycarbonate body, the white may look more fragile than the one piece aluminum but fragile is not a word I'd use to describe it. In the past year I've seen a MacBook that's fallen from a moving motorcycle - the case scuffed up but not broken and diagnostics showed the computer unharmed. Another owner brought in her MacBook that had been run over by a car - the top case cracked but the LCD unbroken and the computer passed diagnostics. I watched a student drop his MacBook as he carried it under his arm, it came to rest opened on the floor and I was certain the top had come loose but no. It was fine. And my own MacBook fell from the desk to a wooden floor and survived unscathed. Obviously others can recount examples where their MacBook was damaged by a fall but these examples indicate that the MacBook might be breakable but it isn't fragile. Not like the Dell notebook I saw fall from a desk this spring and shatter.

White macbook

will a late 2006 white Macbook work with Mountain Lion

To Upgrade to Mountain Lion... Your Mac must be one of the following models:
iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
Xserve (Early 2009)

White Macbook (Early 2009) Why mini-DVI to S-video adapter no longer works?

I am a lifelong Mac user and by now think I pretty well know the ins and outs of Macs and most Mac-related issues... but this one has stumped me.
The new white Macbook was upgraded to include many of the components of its big brother unibody Aluminum Macbooks (including 1066 MHz frontside bus and the NVIDIA 9400M) just over a week ago. I was lucky enough to be in the market for a new laptop about this time and snatched one up a few days ago (retiring my awesome 12" Aluminum PowerBook G4 which is still kicking).
One of the main reasons I upgraded was to be able to use Silverlight 2.0 (d--- Microsoft) as I can't watch streaming lectures from school without it. A nice bonus would be the ability to stream Netflix videos to my TV through my laptop which I've wanted to do for a while. Anyone who has bought one of these new Macbooks and uses their laptop with their TV as much as I do has probably read one of these two links:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3413
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9319G/A?mco=MzE2OTkzMA
Note the asterisk at the Apple store: "* This adapter is not compatible with the 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo white MacBook introduced in January 2009."
Can someone tell me why this is? I've been using the s-video out of my Apple laptops for the past 6 years... why change it now? Is this a temporary problem or permanent change?
I have been fervently searching for a work-around but no blogs, forums, or boards have given me any answers. One tech blogger at http://createdigitalmotion.com/2009/01/22/white-macbook-snubs-adapter-i-want-my- tv-out/ speculates that Apple is cracking down on DRM video being watched on TV's... but that makes no sense, any new TV can use the DVI output still supported by this computer.
Dear Apple: PLEASE give me my TV back!!! I want to watch Netflix and use that cool Front Row feature you put in your system!
Message was edited by: zioneyes

Ziatron wrote:
Apple does not regularly read these forms. The best way to communicate with Apple is with the below link.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html
Thank you for your helpful and detailed response, Ziatron. I am aware Apple is unlikely to peruse my forum post, I was just crying out in anguish at the gods that be, so to speak.
Everything you wrote is consistent with what I have read in other places, thanks for consolidating it here. I am not as proficient in display technologies as I am in other areas so let me see If I am understanding you correctly. Apple has licensed HDCP technology and is employing it across its desktop and laptop lineups. The new white MacBook was the last of the MacBook lineup to be upgraded to include this new technology and as it still retains the older Mini-DVI out rather than the new Mini-Displayport Apple had to "flip the switch" and turn off the MacBook's ability to put out video through the old adapter. I notice that there is no Mini-Displayport to video adapter available in their store. Am I good so far?
So I am left to assume that they turned off the capability of outputing to s-video because that output cannot be managed by the new HDCP technology, correct? If so, I suppose I understand but am still frustrated as it seems they are prevent the growth of a few weeds (illegal content) by burning the whole lawn (preventing many such as me from using the output I love). Thanks for your help again.

What are my options for having my case for my Early 2008 white macbook repaired?

I own an early 2008 white macbook and as most people know they were notorious for ending up with cracks in the plastic body. Well, mine has it's fair share of cracks and the little nob on the bottom used for securing the battery in place has also broken off. The computer still runs great and does everything I need, but the keyboard and trackpad are glitchy, the battery won't stay in place, and it just kind of looks bad with the cracks. How can I go about getting these things fixed? I read that apple was fixing the cases for free for a while if it was within 5 years of purchase but I was NEVER told about this even when I took the laptop into the apple store several times for general questions and I am now beyond 5 years since purchase. I've seen plenty of third party sites to buy new cases on, but is there any chance the apple store would be willing to replace it for me still a this point? Also, since the plastic casing is so prone to cracking is it possible to replace my keyboard with one of the keyboards from the late 2008 aluminum body to avoid future chipping or would this not fit my model?

dts2012 wrote:
is there any chance the apple store would be willing to replace it for me still a this point?
Call an Apple store and ask.
dts2012 wrote:
is it possible to replace my keyboard with one of the keyboards from the late 2008 aluminum body to avoid future chipping or would this not fit my model?
no.

Hi i am currently using a white macbook mid 2009 with 10.6.8 version and i wanted to upgrade it to yosemite? So wanted to know if it would be alright?

hi i am currently using a white macbook mid 2009 with 10.6.8 version and i wanted to upgrade it to yosemite? So wanted to know if it would be alright?

Hi Shubham Nahar,
The system requirements for Yosemite are listed here.
How to install OS X Yosemite on your Mac
Before you install Yosemite, make sure you have one of these Macs:
iMac (Mid-2007 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
Xserve (Early 2009)
Your Mac also needs:
OS X Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard v10.6.8, already installed
2 GB or more of memory
8 GB or more of available disk space
I don't have that Macbook, so maybe others can chime in as well.
Take care,
Nubz

Can I update my White Macbook OS X 10.6.8 to Mountain Lion?

Hello,
I have been a PC user all my life. My dad gave me his old White Macbook which is still in perfect condition and I would like iCloud & the
availability to download any given app on the App Store. My only problem is obviously my current software doesn't allow it. Thus the need to upgrade.
I just wanted to know if my Macbook has the capability to run Mountain Lion?
Mac OS X
Version 10.6.8
Processor 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
thanks!

Without the proper information I don't know. So here's what you require:
Upgrading to Lion
If your computer does not meet the requirements to install Mavericks, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.
You can purchase Lion at the Online Apple Store. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax. It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you then use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.
     Lion System Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7,
           or Xeon processor
       2. 2GB of memory
       3. OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
       4. 7GB of available space
       5. Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
Upgrading to Mavericks
You can upgrade to Mavericks from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. Mavericks can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for FREE.
Upgrading to Mavericks
To upgrade to Mavericks you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Download Mavericks from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. Mavericks is free. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.
    OS X Mavericks- System Requirements
    Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mavericks
         1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later
         2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 5,1 or later
         3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 2,1 or later
         5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         7. Xserve (Early 2009) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.
     Are my applications compatible?
         See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.

Help!, pozor!, White MacBook can't access home internet

We have 4 MacBooks but only the the oldest one cannot access the internet. We have a cable modem connected to a Time Capsule. The other 3 MacBooks (each is aluminum) connect wirelessly and have no internet problems. Trying ethernet with the white MacBook does not solve the problem. When trying AirPort, signal strength is maximum (4 bars) on the white MacBook. The Network assistant tells me I am connected to our wireless router and the IP address is 10.0.1.7. However Safari will never load a page but after trying for a while shunts me to Network Diagnostics and my attempts flounder with repeated restarts of the modem and router. I'm not sure, but Skype does seem to connect!
The white MacBook is running 10.6.1. It has a 2 GHz Intel Core Duo with 1GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM. Model identifier is MacBook 1,1. S/N 4H6229D8U9C
TIA,
Allan

Please ignore the advice to downgrade your computer to an earlier operating system. That's a ridiculous suggestion.
If I understand correctly, you cannot access the internet on the problem machine via Airport or Ethernet. Is that correct?
You may want to try resetting Safari and trashing the internet preferences. Here's a step-by-step guide to that process:
http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=4162
I would troubleshoot the problem while directly connected to the cable modem via Ethernet. Once you get it working in that mode, try to get it working on the wireless.
Note that you have not updated the machine to the latest iteration of Snow Leopard (10.6.2). You might want to run Software Update on the problem machine before troubleshooting.
Edit: Doh! You can't run software update when you have no internet connection! That was stupid advice on my part. You can download 10.6.2 onto one of your other machine and transfer it to the problem machine with a flash drive or over the local network.
Message was edited by: Peter Arnold1

I have a white macbook purchased early 2008. I'm updated to ver. 10.6.8 can I upgrade to the new mountain lion and will it operate?

I have a white macbook purchased early 2008. I'm updated to ver. 10.6.8 can I upgrade to the new mountain lion and will it operate?

It doesn't appear to be Mountain Lion compatible. See below.
Your Mac must be one of the following models:
iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
Xserve (Early 2009)

Aluminum vs White

Sorry in advance for this question as it probably has been asked already. So if you have a link to a thread just post it thanks.
Is there any AMAZING differences between the $999 White Macbook and the $1299 Aluminum Macbook?
Thanks again for your help guys.

JE13 wrote:
whats with the backlighting effect anyways? is it really worth that 300 dollars extra coupled with a few extras? Or are both pictures about the same or noticeably different?
As said, that's not the only difference. But a lot of MacBooks are used by students and/or business men and a lot of the time they're in classrooms or conferences where the lights are dimmed for a showing of some lesson or pie chart. A backlit keyboard is very useful in such circumstances, especially if it's a black keyboard. And yes, I'm a touch typist, and yes, I still feel it useful as touch typing doesn't always help if you're trying to hit the delete key, or brightness key or sound key. Touch typing was created for typewriters which didn't have such extra high keys to reach and remember where they are.
As for the rest of that $300, the body of the AL is, well, significantly different to my thinking. You can really feel the different. It feels less likely to break, certainly less likely to scratch or smudge. It's a little lighter than the white as well.
In the end, however, Mac laptops are really well made and either one will do right by you.
$300 more doesn't get the lit keyboard. That would require the $1599 MacBook, which would come with the higher capacity drive and faster processor.
It's just a matter of price points. For $999 Apple hasn't reduced practical functionality like they have in the past. That $999 gets a full SuperDrive when previous entry-level MacBooks had DVD-ROM/CD-R combo drives. It's a good machine even if it doesn't have all the latest features.

Hard case for new white Macbook?

Are there any hardshell cases the new white Macbooks yet? I see ones that say they're for the white 13" macbook, but how do I know if they're for the old design or new one?

For a new hard drive try Newegg.com http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=380&name=Laptop-Hard-Dr ives&Order=PRICE
Or OWC for regular hard drives and SSDs http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/
Here are instructions on replacing the hard drive in a MacBook with a removable battery. http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=45088
Here are video instructions on replacing the hard drive on the Aluminum Unibody
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_unibody/
Here are video instructions on replacing the hard drive on the White Unibody http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_09_unibody_hd/
To transfer your current hard drive I like the free application SuperDuper. It makes a bootable copy of everything on your hard drive http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html You'll need a cheap SATA external hard drive case. Put the new drive in the case then format and partition the new drive and clone your old drive to the new one. Check that it's set up right by booting up from the external drive. Then replace your old hard drive with the new one and put your old one in the external case.
Here's a cheap SATA external hard drive case on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Vantec-NexStar-2-5-Inch-External-Enclosure/dp/B002JQNXZC/r ef=pd_cp_pc_0
If you don’t have the tools to open up the MacBook OWC has a set for $5
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOLKITMHD/

New white macbook, no external display option !

I recently got my white macbook replaced with a new one. My old white macbook was great, once i pluged in my mini-vga adaptor to my macbook i hooked it up to my tv, when into display settings and set it appropriatly. Now i got a new white macbook. I plug my mini vga adaptor in, put it to the AV channel on my tv and nothing. And when i go into my macbooks display settings theres no arrangment feature! theres nothing for external displays at all ! Whats happened?!

I downloaded that - when i click on This Mac it simply says "This Mac Model Can Not Be Found, Please Check You Have The Most Up To Date Version Of Mactracker". Then when i search for updates it says i have the most up to date version. Bahumbug! Useless!
I've not been having a good relationship with technology lately at all! Obviously my adaptor is now useless, and unless I have a plasma/LCD TV or a new computer monitor, I'll have to deal with not having any ability to hook this up to my television. That was a feature I used on a regular basis.
Im getting more and more frustrated - I had the opportunity to buy the new Aluminum macbook but it didn't even have a firewire connection which i rely on for my home studio, so i settled for this lesser spec'd white macbook which now also can't do the TV-out function i used regularly. Brilliant.

New white MacBook in 2011?

I am very curious about purchasing a MacBook, I personally don't care for the aluminum body versions. They price is quite high, the MacBook air is not powerful enough nor does it allow me to int a software via DVD.
I want to purchase a new white MacBook but am cautious that apple will release a new version to make my purchase fee old. As the white MacBook is still on intel duo core system which is not bad n only can have 4 gigs max of ram. I would prefer 8.
But is there any Rumor of a new white MacBook soon ?

Yes, you can purchase your own RAM and install it yourself. Apple only certied the computer for 4 GBs because at that time there were no 4 GB modules available for it.
Not knowing where you are located please understand that these links are in the US but are meant to provide you with some added information for RAM upgrading:
DataMem
OWC

Aluminum vs. White Macbook

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