MacBook · The Digital Hub · 2006
MacBook (white)
The glossy white (and black) polycarbonate MacBook unified Apple’s consumer laptops, sold by the millions to students, and introduced the built-in iSight to the line.
Replaced the iBook and 12" PowerBook with one consumer laptop, and added a webcam + MagSafe.
MacBook (Unibody Aluminum) (2008)
MacBook (white): key facts
When was the MacBook (white) released?
The MacBook (white) arrived on May 16, 2006. Apple discontinued it in May 2010.
How much did the MacBook (white) cost?
The MacBook (white) launched at $1,099 in 2006, about $1,747 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Intel Core Duo at 1.83 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 58.6 GB storage, 13.3" glossy LCD, 1280×800 display.
Why does the MacBook (white) matter?
Replaced the iBook and 12" PowerBook with one consumer laptop, and added a webcam + MagSafe.
Full specifications
| CPU | Intel Core Duo · 1.83 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 512 MB (up to 2 GB) |
| Storage | 58.6 GB |
| Display | 13.3" glossy LCD, 1280×800 |
| GPU | Intel GMA 950 |
| Ports | USB 2.0, FireWire 400, MagSafe |
| Weight | 2.36 kg |
| Dimensions | Polycarbonate notebook |
| Operating system | Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger |
| Released | May 16, 2006 |
| Discontinued | May 2010 |
| Launch price | $1,099 |
How the MacBook (white) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 32× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1.83 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.7× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 15,000 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $1,099 in 2006, about $1,747 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
The black model cost more for the same specs; buyers paid a premium just for the colour.
Related MacBook models
Open the MacBook (white) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11