Some time in the last few days, Apple’s online store has updated the specifications of the entry-level, polycarbonate-clad MacBook to more closely match its aluminum cousins. The price remains the same at $999, however.
Since the introduction of the new aluminum-clad MacBook in October, Apple has offered a MacBook in the older white polycarbonate shell for $999. Up until the last few days, however, that $999 model used the last-generation motherboard design, which had Intel integrated graphics.
Now Apple’s store indicated that the $999 MacBook uses Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics. This suggests that the motherboard has been refreshed to more closely match that of the aluminum MacBooks instead. The aluminum MacBooks with GeForce 9400M graphics provide significantly improved performance, according to Macworld’s tests.
There are some other key differences between the $999 model and the $1299 beside the polycarbonate shell. The entry-level MacBook also uses slower memory, albeit more of it than its predecessor — 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM clocked at 667MHz, instead of DDR3 SDRM clocked at 1066MHz. A 120GB Serial ATA hard drive comes standard, compared to a 160GB drive on the aluminum MacBook. An 8x SuperDrive also comes standard.
Apple also lists a Mini-DVI video out port as being standard equipment on the $999 model, suggesting that it does not have the Mini DisplayPort featured on newer MacBooks.
Apple had not responded to a query for more details as Macworld posted this article.