Apple last updated the 13″ MacBook in May 2010 and discontinued it with the introduction of the Mid 2011 MacBook Air, although it was still available in the education channel for a while after that. The most recent model claimed up to 10 hours of wireless productivity, has faster CPUs (2.4 and 2.66 GHz) than previous versions, and uses Nvidia’s 330M graphics processor.

Apple updated the white MacBook in 2010 using the same technology found in the 13″ 2010 MacBook Pro, but without the SD Card reader and FireWire port found in the Pro model.

None of the first generation MacBooks (the ones with Intel Core Duo CPUs) support 64-bit operation in OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and they cannot run OS X 10.7 Lion, and only the models with Nvidia 9400M graphics support OpenGL. See individual model profiles to learn which Snow Leopard technologies are supported.

The Late 2008 Aluminum Unibody and newer white models are the only ones that support OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.

All MacBooks have a 1280 x 800 glossy display, and all current models include a dual-layer SuperDrive. The final 2.4 GHz MacBook shipped from Apple with a 250 GB hard drive and 2 GB of RAM (expandable to 8 GB).

Aluminum Unibody MacBook

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is supported on all pre-2010 MacBooks. If you want to upgrade an older MacBook to 10.5, be sure to check our Best Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Deals. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard requires 1 GB of RAM (we recommend at least 2 GB) and will run on all Intel-based Macs. Check out prices in our Best Mac OS X Snow Leopard Deals.

The Core 2 CPU runs quite a bit cooler and has more power at the same clock speed compared to the Core Duo. Because the Core Duo MacBooks tend to run hot, we recommend the Core 2 models – and only Core 2 models support 64-bit operation.

We strongly recommend running your MacBook with at least 1 GB of memory. If you can swing it, max out to 2, 3, 6, or 8 GB. (See Is More RAM More Important than Matched RAM in the MacBook? for more on unmatched memory.)

Units have a SuperDrive (SD) unless otherwise noted. The best deals are marked in bold type in the full listings below. Canadian dealers are listed separately. Listings note RAM (in GB unless otherwise noted)/hard drive size. Units are white unless noted. MacBooks listed as Unibody are the aluminum Unibody model.

Best Prices, Polycarbonate MacBook

• 1.83 GHz Core Duo, $280, Wegener Media
• HOT 2.1 GHz Core 2, $349, Mac of All Trades
• HOT 2.4 GHz Core 2, $399, Mac of All Trades

Best Prices, Aluminum Unibody MacBook

• 2.0 GHz Unibody, $620, Wegener Media
• 2.4 GHz Unibody, $700, BuyZing (Canada)

Recent Memory Prices (per module)

• PC5300 (pre-Unibody): 512 MB, $11.99; 1 GB, $15.99; 2 GB, $29.99; 2 GB kit, $29.79, 3 GB kit, $41.99; 4 GB kit, $55; 6 GB kit, $115.
• PC6400 (2009 Nvidia): 2 GB, $29.99, 4 GB, $89.99; 4 GB kit, $55, 6 GB kit, $115.
• PC8500 DDR3 (Unibody): 2 GB, $14.59, 4 GB, $25.99; 4 GB kit, $27.88; 6 GB kit, $39.99, 8 GB kit (Late 2009 MacBook and 2010 only), $49.50.

Best Mac OS X Prices

• Best Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger Deals
• Best Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Deals
• Best Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Deals

Be sure to factor in shipping costs and possible sales tax. Your best value depends on whether you need/want a color printer, extra RAM, etc.

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.

Core Duo models are listed before Core 2 models, which are more efficient and run cooler. Other than that, models are listed by CPU speed. Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices to .

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Profiles

Except for the May 2006 models, all of these support OS X 10.7 Lion.

• Core Duo, May 2006, 1.83 and 2.0 GHz: 2 GB maximum RAM, Intel GMA 950 graphics
• Core 2 Duo, Late 2006, 1.83 and 2.0 GHz: 3 GB* maximum RAM, Intel GMA 950 graphics
• Core 2 Duo, May 2007, 2.0 and 2.16 GHz: 3 GB* maximum RAM, Intel GMA 950 graphics
• Santa Rosa, Late 2007, 2.0 and 2.2 GHz: 6 GB maximum RAM, Intel X3100 graphics
• Penryn, Early 2008,
  2.1 and 2.4 GHz: 6 GB maximum RAM, Intel X3100 graphics
• White, Late 2008, 2.1 GHz: 6 GB maximum RAM, Intel X3100 graphics

The following models support OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

• Aluminum Unibody, Late 2008, 2.0 and 2.4 GHz: 6 GB maximum RAM, GeForce 9400M graphics
• White (Nvidia), Early 2009, 2.0 GHz: 6 GB maximum RAM, GeForce 9400M graphics
• White, Mid 2009, 2.13 GHz: 6 GB maximum RAM, GeForce 9400M graphics
• White Unibody, Late 2009,
  2.26 GHz: 8 GB maximum RAM, GeForce 9400M graphics
• White Unibody, Mid 2010,
  2.4 GHz: 8 GB maximum RAM, GeForce 9400M graphics

* Although you can install 4 GB of memory, these MacBooks will only be able to access 3 GB.

Prices

Prices include SuperDrive unless otherwised noted. White polycarbonate model unless otherwise noted.

BuyZing (Canada)

BuyZing is located in Calgary, Alberta.

• 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/160/SD, C$499.99
• 2.2 GHz Core 2 (2009), 2/250/SD, C$599.99
• 2.0 GHz Aluminum, 2/160/SD, C$649.99
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/250/SD, C$699.99
• 2.4 GHz Aluminum, 2/250/SD, C$699.99

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $20 or more.

• 2.0 GHz Core 2, 1/60, $374
• 2.0 GHz Aluminum, 2/160, $749
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 1/160, $439
• 2.4 GHz Core 2 (2010), 2/250, $649
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, black, 1/160, $495
• 2.26 GHz Core 2, 2/250, $588
• 2.4 GHz Aluminum, 2/250/SD, $728

ExperCom

Estimated shipping is $15.50.

• 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 2/500/Combo, $449
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/160, $499

Mac of All Trades

Ground shipping averages $30. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track and collects sales tax on orders shipped within FL.

• 2.1 GHz Core 2 (Early 2008), 2/120/Combo, $349
• 2.13 GHz Core 2 (Mid 2009), 2/160, $499
• 2.4 GHz Core 2 (Early 2008), 2/160, $399
• 2.4 GHz Aluminum, 2/250, $749
• other configurations listed

MacResource

Ground shipping may add $28 or more. 30 day store warranty.

• 2.26 GHz Core 2 (Early 2008), 2/250, $599.99
• 2.4 GHz Core 2 (2010), 1/120/Combo, $724.99
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/160, $449.99

Operator Headgap

Shipping included. Operator Headgap thoroughly refurbishes and tests every Mac they sell. OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard installed. When ordering, please let them know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

• 2.0 GHz Core 2, 1/80, $549.77 shipped
• 2.13 GHz Core 2, 2/160, $669.77 shipped

PowerMax

Free ground shipping.

• 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 1/60, $509 shipped
• 2.0 GHz Core Duo, black, 1/160, $579 shipped
• 2.0 GHz Core 2, 1/80, $529 shipped
• 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $559 shipped
• 2.16 GHz Core 2, black, 1/160, $599 shipped
• 2.2 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $599 shipped
• 2.2 GHz Core 2, black, 2.5/160, $669 shipped
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/160, $649 shipped
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, black, 2/250, $709 shipped
• 2.4 GHz Aluminum, 2/250, $769 shipped
• over 125 configurations listed

Teksale.com

Ground shipping can add $15 or more. OS X 10.4 installed.

• 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 1/60/Combo, $399
• 2.0 GHz Core 2, 1/80/Combo, $419
• 2.0 GHz Core 2, black, 1/120, $499
• 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $429
• 2.16 GHz Core 2, black, 1/160, $549
• 2.2 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $439
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/160, $589

Wegener Media

Ground shipping may add $19 or more 60 day warranty. Apple Remote $9.99 additional.

• 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 1/80/Combo, $279.99
• 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 1/80, $359.99
• 2.0 GHz Core 2, 1/80, $384.99
• 2.0 GHz Core 2, black, 512 MB/80, $399.99
• 2.16 GHz Core 2, black, 1/160, $469.99
• 2.26 GHz Core 2, 2/250, $539.60
• 2.0 GHz Aluminum, 2/160, $619.99