Apple Macbook 13" (Early 2009) Installation Guides and Specifications
Upgrading the Apple 13" MacBook (Early 2009) is very easy. You can add some RAM, replace a faulty Hard Drive or just get a new one with a higher capacity. You can also replace a dead battery. All You'll need is some simple tools, and the correct parts. We then urge you to follow the videos or the Apple manual provided on the links below.
Please see our Apple RAM Memory for Macbook 13" 2009 page to locate your Apple compatible RAM upgrade for your Mac
Please see our OWC SSD options for Macbook page to locate your Apple compatible SSD upgrades for your Mac
If your battery is dead or low capacity, here's a link to buy a Newertech NuPower battery replacement for MacBook
Apple User Guides for the Apple 13" MacBook (2009):
Apple Support Macbook 13" (2009) Memory RAM installation / replacement guide (PDF) - Learn how to remove or install memory in your MacBook notebook computer.
Apple Support Macbook 13" (2009) User Guide (PDF)
Apple Support Macbook 13" (2009) Battery Replacement Instructions (PDF)
Apple Support Macbook 13" (2009) RAM Door (L-Bracket) Replacement Instructions (PDF)
OWC Video Installation Guide for Apple 13" MacBook (2009):
This video will help you replace your RAM and fix or upgrade the main hard drive or SSD drive. This video will also show you how to replace your battery.
Recommended Tools for the RAM upgrade:
- #00 Precision Philips Screwdriver - Economy
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
Recommended Tools for the HDD/SSD upgrade:
- Macfixit 5-Piece Mini Toolkit
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
- External Hard Drive Enclosure - Convert your existing drive into an external one
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
Here are some detailed specifications as well as direct links to available upgrades:
| Apple 13" MacBook (Early 2009) | |
| OVERVIEW | |
| Introduced | January 2009 |
| Discontinued | May 2009 |
| Model Identifier | MacBook5,2 |
| Model Number | A1181 |
| EMC | 2300 |
| Order Number | MB881LL/A |
| PROCESSOR | |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo (P7350) ("Penryn") |
| Processor Speed | 2.0 GHz |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Number of Cores | 2 |
| Cache | 3 MB on chip shared L2 cache |
| System Bus | 1066 MHz |
| STORAGE AND MEDIA | |
| Standard Storage | 120, 160, 250, or 320 GB (5400-rpm) |
| Link to upgrade tool & kits | Tools for HDD and RAM installation |
| Link to internal HDD | Upgrade to a new 2.5” HDD |
| Link to internal SSD | Upgrade to a new 2.5” SSD |
| Media | 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) |
| Link to external optical drive | Get an external burner here |
| KEYBOARD AND TRACKPAD | |
| Trackpad | Solid-state trackpad supports tap, double-tap, drag and scrolling |
| Keyboard | Full size (78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys incl. 12 function, 4 arrow) |
| RAM | |
| Built-in Memory | |
| Maximum Memory | 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple) |
| Memory Slots | 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM |
| Interleaving Support | Yes |
| Link to RAM upgrade | Upgrade your RAM here |
| DISPLAY | |
| Built-in Display | 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen |
| Resolutions | 1280 by 800 |
| GRAPHICS | |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M |
| Graphics Memory | 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory (Minimum graphics memory usage is 256 MB) |
| Display Connection | 1 - Mini-DVI |
| Display Modes | Dual display extended and video mirroring |
| External Resolution | Up to 1920 by 1200 pixels |
| Camera | Built-in iSight |
| CONNECTIONS | |
| Wi-Fi | Built-in AirPort Extreme card (802.11a/b/g/n) |
| Bluetooth | Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR |
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45) (support for jumbo frames) |
| USB | 2 - 480 MBit/s |
| FireWire | |
| Display | 1 - Mini-DVI |
| Infrared | 1 - For Apple Remote only |
| Audio In | 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo jack, 1 - Built-in microphone |
| Audio Out | 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo jack, 2 - Built-in speakers |
| EXPANSION | |
| Slots | |
| Hard Drive Interface | 3.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |
| Optical Drive Interface | |
| POWER | |
| System Battery | 55-watt-hour lithium-polymer |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 hours |
| Standby Time | |
| Maximum Battery Cycles | 300 |
| Power Adapter | 60W MagSafe Power Adapter |
| Link to replacement battery | Get a replacement battery here |
| Link to replacement charger | Get a replacement MagSafe here |