13-inch MacBook/2.1GHz

The next-generation of the Core 2 Duo processor -- code-named Penryn -- highlights this round of MacBook updates. The processor upgrade delivers faster speeds than the previous generation, but less shared L2 cache (3MB, compared to 4MB in the previous generation). Hard-drive capacities have also jumped -- this entry-level model now offers 120GB of storage, up from 80GB. However, this model only ships with 1GB of RAM installed; the other MacBooks now offer 2GB.

Reviewed Full Review

The 2.1GHz MacBook is a capable system, but for $200 more you can get a faster processor, bigger hard drive, SuperDrive, and--perhaps most important--an extra 1GB of RAM. That money is well worth it considering all the upgrades.

Pros: Performance comparable to previous high-end model; larger hard drive than previous model.

Cons: Only 1GB of RAM; no video adapters or Apple Remote in the box; no SuperDrive.

Basics

Reviewed Price: $1,099

Processor: 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo (Penryn)

Information about this system on Apple's website

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Lab Tests

Speedmark 5 Score180
Cinema 4D XL 10.51:01
iMovie HD 60:56
iTunes 7.51:10
Photoshop CS31:19
Compressor2:02
Unreal Tournament 200426.9fps
Tested ConfigurationMac OS X 10.5.2 with 2GB of RAM

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