MacBook Core 2 Duo Repair

Track down a number of hardware problems using the MacBook troubleshooting guide.

You can cost-effectively upgrade a number of components in the MacBook Core 2 Duo.

• Memory: The MacBook Core 2 Duo shipped with 512 MB or 1 GB of RAM. If your MacBook is still running with only the stock RAM, upgrading will provide a dramatic performance boost at minimal cost. Upgrading to the maximum (3 GB for Core 2 Duo, 4 GB for Santa Rosa or Penryn) can be done very easily.
• Hard Drive: 60, 80, or 120 GB hard drives came standard with the MacBook Core 2 Duo. You can upgrade the drive up to 750 GB.
• Battery: Replacing the battery requires a coin or a flat-edge tool release the battery latch. The battery can be replaced in less than 30 seconds.
• Optical Drive: The standard optical drive shipped with MacBooks is either a Combo Drive or a 4x, 6x, or 8x SuperDrive. The optical drive can easily be upgraded to an 8x SuperDrive.

You can verify that you have a Core 2 Duo MacBook by checking the processor information through "About This Mac" in the Apple menu. If your computer's case is plastic and "About This Mac" says you have a Core 2 Duo, then you're in the right place. If your computer has a metal case, you could have the MacBook Unibody or MacBook Air.

Use the laptop identification system to help you identify your machine. MacBooks tend to look very similar, and it's important to know which machine you have before ordering any replacement parts.

This laptop was an update to the MacBook Core Duo that was introduced six months earlier. It came in two colors: basic white, and optional (and more expensive) black. The same industrial design employed by the MacBook Core Duo was also applied to the Core 2 Duo, as the overall size, shape, and layout of the laptop did not change. As with the original MacBook, this laptop included an iSight camera and used the same MagSafe power connector.

The primary improvements that Apple made in the MacBook Core 2 Duo were the addition of a faster processor, improved AirPort, and a larger RAM maximum capacity.

• 13.3-inch (diagonal) glossy widescreen. TFT display with support for millions of colors

• 60GB, 80GB, 120GB, 160GB or 200GB Serial ATA hard disk drive

One of the following optical drives:

• 24x slot-loading Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
  • Reads DVDs at up to 8x speed
  • Writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed
  • Writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed
  • Reads CDs at up to 24x speed
• 6x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
  • Writes DVD+R DL (double layer) discs at up to 2.4x speed
  • Writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 6x speed
  • Writes DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs at up to 4x speed
  • Reads DVDs at up to 8x speed
  • Writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed
  • Writes CD-RW discs at up to 10x speed
  • Reads CDs at up to 24x speed

• 1.83GHz with 2MB shared L2 cache or 2.0GHz with 4MB shared L2 cache Intel Core 2 Duo processor

• 512MB or 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM

• Built-in 802.11g Wi-Fi AirPort Extreme wireless networking
• Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 Wireless Technology

• Intel GMA 950 graphics processor
• Built-in iSight camera
• Mini-DVI port

• One FireWire 400 port (up to 400 Mbps)
• Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet

• Built-in stereo speakers
• Built-in omnidirectional microphone
• Combined optical digital audio input/audio line in (minijack)
• Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out (minijack)

• 55-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery (with integrated charge indicator LEDs) providing up to 6 hours of battery life (2)
• 60W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system
• MagSafe power adapter port

• MacBook
• Apple Remote
• 60W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, and power cord
• Lithium-polymer battery
• Install/restore DVD
• Printed and electronic documentation

• iFixit: List of Troubleshooting Guides
• iFixit: Mac OS X HD Reinstallation Tips
• iFixit: DIY Laptop Upgrades
• Wikipedia: MacBook
• Mactracker: Application with Apple Product Specs
• EveryMac: Online Apple Product Specs