The RARE MacBook that only lasted 8 months!
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This may look like a perfectly normal MacBook Pro, but it's not. This is a relic of a very brief period of time where Apple's marketing put them in a very weird situation. Today lets' take a look back at this weird piece of rare Apple history!
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In the PowerBook era there was the 12” PowerBook, which was an interesting bridge between the iBook and PowerBook lines. That one was definitely not rare though.
I still have my 12" PowerBook, albeit without its keyboard and charger
Yep. 12-inch PowerBooks were awesome. Definitely not rare. During the intel transition, Apple must have (temporarily) decided that small laptops couldn’t be ‘pro.’
@@something2sea And then decided the same thing once it discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro last year.
I bet people in 2008 were confused between the unibody MacBook Pro and this. This was a pretty good MacBook for the price for sure though. Great video as always Luke! Always love to see old Mac content.
No one was confused by this. It was communicated pretty well if you wanted more ports, better screens, or a backlit keyboard buy the pro.
Back then, there was no 13 inch MacBook Pro. Your choice was the unibody MacBook, the MacBook Air, and the 15 inch pre-unibody MacBook Pro
@@notfunctioning even more confusingly during this time they still sold the plastic MacBooks…it was a weird time.
@@trollzone1 not sure about US, in asia, they're no longer sell plastic macbook after they introduce unibody. the plastic macbook made a comeback more than a year later with new design.
They probably should have kept the MacBook name, the 13 inch models were always a lot less ‘pro’ than the larger ones with their low watt CPUs and integrated graphics, and the white MacBook was on its way out at the time anyway.
Thank you Luke! You have solved a bit of a mystery for me. Recently I got 3 of these in a bulk lot of Macs I bought from Melbourne Australia. I've got one working perfectly, but was scratching my head about the missing Pro on the name.
Actually, it CAN support 8 GB of RAM. Cat and Andrew said so in one of his macOS Mojave videos.
I am still using this old guy, I have it running monterey using the open core patcher. Few things to note though, if you bought the 2.4 ghz version, you did get a backlit keyboard. Also, I have it running with 8gb of ram (maybe that doesn’t work on the 2 ghz version?). Last thing, you could hot swap the batteries even without plugging it in, you just have to wait until the hibernation light starts ‘breathing’.
Looking for the backlit keyboard comment because mine had it too! It also recognized the full 8Gb when I upgraded the ram. Great computer, used it for years 🥹
I want to see this replaceable battery on a new iPhone
Concerning the dodgy screen, I wonder if you could swap in a 2009 13" Macbook Pro screen? Might be a good subject for a video?
But one says Pro
@@Sparky400 I know, however it still may be doable?
Apparently the magnets in the lid are in a different place for each year? So if you mismatch them and close the lid the laptop won’t know it’s closed & that it’s time to sleep
@@markjo254 Interesting...but not an insurmoutable problem, just adjust the power settings accordingly.
The screen could be replaced with a Macbook Pro screen because mine was when it got cracked. Only thing is that it has Macbook Pro on it.
I just found one of these the other day that someone threw out. I saw the battery trapdoor and I was confused since I thought that design was only for the 2008 15in
That cough at 3:40 👌
A ton of these were bought by students since it was noticeably cheaper and looked like a Pro.
I love that removable battery part and don’t forget that you can also change the hard drive anytime you want with a different hard drive! Easy access thing in the past1
I own one of these (non-functional now) it served me well for 7 years until the logic board died. Had zero issues with it, which after replacing a couple windows laptops that couldn't even survive 2 years, was amazing. Pretty decent price to performance for the time! The main thing I missed from this edition was the lack of firewire port.
Awesome video Luke!
I have one, it’s pretty beat up, but it works.
I also have a 2009 one that replaced it.
And a 2010 15in (the computer I use daily)
And a 2011 15in
And a 2012 13in
Love your vids about the good „old“ time between the swap from the powerbook to the unibody design! Go ahead Luke. Greetings from Germany. 🤙🏻
I remember a buddy of mine had one of these. It was a great machine and I always wondered why it said MacBook. Only to realize it was a Unibody MacBook. Good video sir.
when i was a little guy and was in grade K-5 my small town public school had these aluminum AND only these aluminum MacBook's. they are the reason i rock a Unibody MacBook Pro... I loved them so much.
I have this exact MacBook. I was able to upgrade it to 8GB no problem. You just have to be on the latest firmware. This was my first pc. I got it for my birthday in grade 2 (back in 2008) and still use it today along my M1 MacBook Air. It currently has a 240 GB Crucial SSD, 8 GB of RAM, and Windows 10.
I have one of these. Still works. And it DOES have a backlit keyboard! It was the 2.0 Ghz version that lacked backlit keyboard. Mine is the 2.4 Ghz version. That did have backlit keys.
I went through college on a 2008 2.4 13" Alum. MacBook and a 2.2 Thinkpad T400. Thanks loans! I loved that machine. Its replacement, a 2012 13" MBP, is sitting here with linux on it now.
I loved this MacBook. With a 240GB SSD, a bunch of external HDs and 8GB RAM this was a rockstar in 2008. It served me very well for 7+ years. I even started a design studio with this thing as my only computer for the Adobe stuff and light C4D use. Zero issues, which was mind blowing coming from Windows machines at this time. Unfortunately, mine didn’t have the connector for the backlit keyboard.
Hot swappable battery was a feature for MacBook Pro 2009 and 2010 AFIK. Including de 15"
You forgot the 12” PowerBook G4 Luke, lol
I used to daily one of these up until a few months ago when it got replaced by a 16” M1 Pro. Really cool piece of old tech and still surprisingly capable despite the poor display. Mines now running Linux.
I almost bought that machine way back when; instead I went with the black polycarbonate Macbook. That computer still works today, if I want to use it with a Lion OSX and just do keyboarding and printing or listen to music off of a disc. Yeah I know a cult classic.
Thanks for the video, still have my MacBook in the box, don’t use anymore of course but i used it a lot back in 2008 till 2011… it’s a great and reliable machine.
I used to have one of those, sold to a friend who’s still using it these days
I have this MacBook! I remember in 2008 when i was still 11 years old i was looking for a laptop, little me notice there's an apple store in the corner so i went in and i completely fell in love with the unibody MacBook - the MB466LL/A!
All that years little me decide to disregard the Mac and around 2016 it has a broken Trackpad, broken keyboard, broken RAM bracket, broken speakers, a lot of scratch, etc. (when i was 13 years old, i started learning how to fix tech with this Mac!). In 2017 i decided to restore my MB466, i started with the same 2.0GHz C2D logic board (as it was still in great shape apart from the RAM and the Keyboard socket) ended up replacing the logic board from a donor MB466 MacBook with a 2.4GHz!!! (Some point the Keyboard socket of the 2.0GHz logic board gave up).
Now it is one of my daily driver! alongside the 2015 13 inch MBP Retina, 2007 17 inch MBP, 2010 11 inch MBA.
I remember this when it was new. It confused me at that time and in the end I still haven't got a macbook untill today.
This was my first mac book i bought it used in 09 at a best buy. I didn't realize that it was a one of a kind mac that's pretty awesome .
I'm typing this comment on the same machine reviewed in this video. I bought it for about $85 and for $85, I got an original uni-body MacBook with 8GB of RAM, NVIDIA graphics, and an SSD. Honestly, everything about the machine besides the screen is great and I think it can still be used practically in 2024 as long as it's being used for web browsing, document typing, and light gaming.
My Mac is also running Mavericks.
Actually, the last MacBook that had swappable batteries was the 2009 non-unibody MacBook.
I actually had the 2008 Unibody MacBook, and it was kind of my first foray into the Apple ecosystem (I never owned an iPhone, actually). It worked for me until 2016, and currently my fully-upgraded 2012 MacBook Pro is my mac stop, which I mostly use for video editing, grad school, and creative work.
I bought this in 2009. With 2GB ram on OSX Snow Leapord, it was useful when I can change the battery while travelling.
Hi Luke. I actually have one of those, and recently swapped the HDD for and SSD and upgraded the RAM
I got one of the rare ones, I bought if in the beginning of 2009 but it's a late 2008, it's the best version with 2.4GHz CPU and backlight keyboard.
I had one for a brief time - sadly it had a logic board failure so wasn't possible to use it.
I have this machine and never noticed anything wrong with the display, but now I understand why is has proven SO hard to replace the battery/access door, which is not very sturdy. Every time I look for parts I get a 2009 Macbook PRO battery door, which does not fit. Was thinking of asking Luke if he knew what the correct search phrase might be, because even refurbished parts suppliers get it wrong or always assume it's the Pro version.
Mine is for sale, by the way, if the price is right :) Still a nice little machine with one of the best Macbook keyboards ever. Ships from Amsterdam though.
I still run a Power Book 12" (for legacy applications). To this day, it's the most robust Mac I have ever owned!
Luke u r not right. This model perfectly can upgrade up to 8gb 1066 memory ddr3 sodimm. Also only optional this models hasn’t keyboard backlight. U also can add kb bklight manualy from any a1278
The 2008 MacBook was my first Mac. I used it for 10 years before I upgraded. It lasted me so long because I upgraded it to a SSD, updated the firmware to allow it to use 8GB of RAM, and have bought a few replacement batteries. I still have it and use it for Adobe CS4 and some other older applications. It may not have the best screen, but it’s a fantastic machine.
Is this video really blown out? Not complaining; just trying to figure out if my brightness is too high. Something looks different with your camera settings. Normally the MacBook screens in your videos don't flicker, and whites aren't so washed out. Is it my rig??
I have one of these late 2008 MacBook aluminums and I updated it to 8 gigs of DDR3 ram
Yes! I actually found one of these MacBooks at the thrift store for $70 a few weeks ago. and in good condition too, at first I thought it was a regular 13 inch MacBook Pro but as soon as I saw the removable bottom plate I knew it was that uncommon MacBook, but the battery still holds a charge and was still on OS X Leopard. But I ended up putting in a 256GB SSD and upgraded the Ram, so it’s running smoother with OS X El Capitan.
Its runs great on Mojave with Dosdude’s patcher.
Bought this Late 2008 aluminum unibody MacBook 10 years ago second hand, upgraded RAM to 8GB,put in SSD, and except for the low battery still working (ok,slowly...), with OCLP and latest MacOS. 😎💪🍎
I'm sure Apple only made this as a test to see if people like the design of the Unibody, it ended up being super popular to the point they just upgraded to to better hardware and dropped the non pro version
4:05 Well, the PowerBook is available in 12-inch as well
Oh, I just realized I totally have this one. I did not realize it was a pro because my Aunt and Uncle gave it to me. Never realized it was special other than the amazing bottom cover!
My theory behind this 2008 Unibody MacBook
Before this, whenever Apple want to make redesign on MacBook, base model MacBook is the first to has a redesign
Take a look at
2008 Unibody MacBook
and also 2015 12" MacBook
Same analogy is used right 😀
Unfortunately this analogy isn't be used anymore since iPad Pro 2018 and MacBook Pro 2021 introduction as
Each new redesign is firstly introduced on Pro model, not on base model anymore 🙃
For what it’s worth… I have one of these and it does take eight gigs of ram and uses it… And it does have a backlit keyboard.
Mine was the 2008 MacBook… But it was the upgraded version with the 2.4 GHz core 2 duo. Maybe because it was the upgraded version it allowed eight gigs of RAM and had the backlit keyboard?
I do have two batteries… And that really is a nice feature. A while back I upgraded my hard drive to a solid-state drive… And I have to say that for every day email, web browsing, and word processing…It works just great even 14 years later.
some friends gave me that exact MacBook about 6 months ago and with a new battery, new memory and an ssd it is now my daily driver! love it and thanks for the wonderful videos!
WHY, the Hotswappable battery were SO COOL, also that part under the hatch was THE SAME until 2015…what a shame they didn’t profit from a good expansion program, what a great initiative could have been…
I don’t think people were really hot swapping batteries, it made user replacement at end of life easier, but most people would rather have a small charger and quick charging with decent battery life. Besides when I bought a polycarbonate MacBook 5 hours battery life sounded pretty great!
i bought this in april 09, two months before they announce new macbook pro on wwdc09. was pretty mad about it. i used the macbook for 6 years and i never know until today it can do hard swap battery (with power still on).. i guess thanks luke, now i rest in peacefully with this information.
I still have this MacBook. I never knew it was different from the pro line though. I remember buying this when watching one of my favorite TH-camr: itsmemorphious. He's the reason why I got into Mac in the first place. I still watch his old videos from time to time. RIP Carlos.
I have this Macbook and bought it brand new in early 2008. I replaced the battery in 2013 and put in a SSD. It's still running strong to this day.
My mom used this MacBook for over 10 years! Ran her whole business using photoshop and illustrator (pretty much still does except now with a 2011 pro). Biggest thing that was annoying apart from the screen was the lack of backlit keyboard. Still a great laptop though.
Oh and it still works
I used this machine for a few years and did not realize how bad the display was until I was transferring files from it to a new 15 inch Pro and they were side by side.
That was my first modern Mac. I had the low end model of 13" Macbook.
I still have that, battery is busted and wifi card is broken.
For quite a while I read your title Luke Miami :D
Btw! One of the best Mac content on TH-cam! Great job on your production! Love those slider shots! I guess you have that edelkrone setup!
actually i have the higher end model of one of these and it does have a backlit keyboard and supports 8 gb of ram.
I had one of those. I have a picture of it side by side with the Black MacBook it was replacing and then, I sold it for a 2011 MacBook Pro 13". Crazy.
My wife had this MacBook some years ago with some modern version of MacOS with dosdude patcher. I didn’t know it was special in any way ;)
I have one , still runs on Monterey, with 8 GR ram and a 256 BGC SSD…..it still serves at my sea house on a Greek island! Actually, there is an 8 gb firmware, as for the battery even if you had no power adapter if you put it into sleep and then hot swap the battery , the MacBook would turn on exactly where you d left at. Pure genius! I still miss the battery indicator in any MacBooks I enjoyed after 2008 including my M1 air !
Still have mine!
This here was my first Mac. Good memories. ❤️
I pogged so hard when you swapped the battery
I wanted a unibody MacBook in the past. Got my 10 pro though for this era, so I’m good. Now I want either an M1 or M2 air.
Hey I dig these old(er) Mac hardware vids. You should do more. And not just laptops
Oh shit I have one of these in storage, didn’t realise they were rare
Awesome Video, Luke! I honestly never heard that this Mac even existed. How much did you buy it for & are the screens interchangeable between the two notebooks?
Two things, these actually could be specced with a backlit keyboard, if you got the 2.4GHz model, and they can also accept 8GB of LPDDR3 RAM, it was the polycarbonate MacBooks with their LPDDR2 that could only take 6GB.
I used to have one and sold it cause it got too slow for my needs mine had 8GB once a firmware upgrade was applied from what I remember
Sweet i have one. Inherited from a family member. Running snow leopard so i can run some super old non upgraded-able audio plugins
I had a unibody 2008 MacBook a few months ago, and I could upgrade the ram to 8gb, activity monitor has also shown 8gb of ram.. how could be the maximum capacity 6 instead of 8gb? 🤔
I actually had this machine! After getting into Macs by hackintoshing my HP laptop at the time, this was the first official Mac that I bought - and it was honestly awesome! Solid, decently powerful, could dual-boot with Windows, and had user upgradeable RAM and storage too. I ended up passing it down to my mom when I got a 15 inch Macbook Pro through school, and then subsequently sold it on Kijiji, but it was a damn fine machine. Marketing and screen wise it may have been a blunder on Apple's part, but from a user perspective? An excellent piece of kit - especially for a first time Mac owner and university student back in 2008.
Mr Miani would you recommend either getting a MacBook Air 2014 repaired or replace the laptop
Hmm, guess I am sure cool. I have had one of these for a few years, bought from eBay for almost nothing and never got around to fixing up. Didn't realize it was rare.
This was my first Mac. It lasted me 6 years and was great for most of it's lifespan, especially after putting 8GB of ram in it (which was unoffically supported after Mountain Lion, I believe).
Nvidia GPU, Core 2 Duo…. The good old days! 😂
4:01 No. There was a 12 inch PowerBook.
I bought this is 2008 used it until 2013 because the graphics card burned out. Loved it
I have one of the custom upgraded models with the backlit keyboard. I do sound design for theatre, and running High Sierra, I use this Macbook as a QLab playback device that stage management can use in rehearsals, while I make edits on a Mac Mini. When it comes time for tech rehearsals, I port the file over and reset levels for the performance space, and I'm good to go! It's obviously a limited machine, but it does still have its uses. 😊
I wonder if it would be possible to do a display assembly swap with a 2009 13 inch MacBook Pro model. That would be very interesting to see, assuming all components in the display assmeble including the antennas are compatible.
I have one of these 2008 MacBook but it had a backlite keyboard and I upgraded it to 8GB no problems other than the ram can't exceed 1300 MHz frequency to be able to run. It's exactly like the one showen in this video. BTW I added an old SSD from my MacBook Pro and still runs like a champ fast, reliable and can do a lot a laptop still works perfectly fine after 14 years. I got newer macs later but still have this one for some reason.
I worked for a large computer server company. At one time we sold the same exact adapter cards but with two different versions of firmware. Why? One version would only run with that company's proprietary operating system and the other would only run under Linux. The company charged customers a lot more for the card which would would only run with the proprietary OS. Eventually, customers figured out they were being screwed and the company had to backtrack. All companies do shady things. That does not excuse any of it, though. It is all bad.
(If you see replies to this with WhatsApp or Telegram IDs, with strange links, or with Luke Miani's photo, those people are scammers who will take all of your money! Do not trust them.)
I bought my sister one of these only for her to put it in her checked baggage without any kind of protection and it got all kinds of banged up.
Apple should bring back the MacBook range, they could put the base line M1/M2 chips exclusively in the MacBook range. Leaving the Pro/Max & Ultra Chipsets for the MacBook Pro line up.
I have one of these models that i purchased awhile back for my collection after watching one of your videos. Lol It appears that yours does not have the original keyboard? The F4 key is not the dashboard key in your case.
I have the same MacBook and I upgraded it to 8gb of ram and it works fine so idk if they removed the 6gb limit or not but mine works
My cousin had one of these… I missed the chance to buy one on clearance when I was in college in 2009, for the same price as a white polycarbonate pre-unibody. Not to say I didn’t love that plastic MacBook. It was my first Mac and felt oh so on trend.
Great little rare Mac.
I would love to see Apple be this revolutionary again, only this time with repairability. The unibody was a huge innovation. A unibody with user-serviceable RAM & SSDs would be equally innovative and reduce e-waste at the same time. Good luck, I know, but a man can dream.
From the beginning of the video I was waiting for you to mention the swappable battery. That was the only difference for me. But you kept the suspense. 2008/2009 era MacBooks /pro where indestructible I still have the 2008 13” MacBook, 2009 15” and 17” MacBook Pros. They run Big Sur!
Wait, I have that MacBook. Got it September/October 2008 when I started uni.
WRONG! The back-lit keyboard was an option on the macbook 08 unibody. I bought one on release and still have it.
I dunno if it's just me buuut.... I would love to see an all white acrylic MacBook Air! 🤩 Different colors would be bad ass too!
which, model identifier has this mac? 8,1?
I have exactly that model on my closet just because I have not the heart to get rid of it. Just like many other models, once the power button breaks, the whole keyboard is rendered useless. Fortunately MacBook motherboards have power pads for a technician to bypass the power button and force the computer to start, because it has been a constant design feature for many years
I've that Macbook on 2008, not marked with Pro and fewer ports. Good but also slowly today, also with 8 GB of ram and SSD.
I didn't buy the second battery because it costs like a kidney and 5 hours are terrible, on university and work I've always to search a wall plug. A nightmare.
No backlit keys means work in the obscurity or with light that reflects on the screen burning your eyes.
It's not great, it's heavy and a pain in the ass. When I sold it I've cried for joy, uncle dog and pork.