Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What's the actual model of this MacBook?
- Thread starter Alpa7000
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Besides the ports, it looks like a unibody Pro (2009-12) with a keyboard cover, but those had FireWire 800
This would appear to be some version of the white or black (I assume the black version to avoid having to paint around the keyboard and find new keycaps) plastic MacBook with paint applied to it. The T7400 CPU would make this a mid-2007 model.
So we know it's a MacBook Pro. Windows shows it has an Intel Core2 CPU, T7400. So let's hit EveryMac.com.
everymac.com
There is only one model with the T7400 identifier, and that would be the late 2006 model:
everymac.com
Apple MacBook Pro Specs (All MacBook Pro Tech Specs): EveryMac.com
Tech specs for all Apple MacBook Pro models from the original to the current. Dates sold, processor type, memory info, storage details, prices and more.
There is only one model with the T7400 identifier, and that would be the late 2006 model:
MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.16 15" Specs (Core 2 Duo/Late 2006, MA609LL, MacBookPro2,2, A1211, 2120): EveryMac.com
Technical specifications for the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.16 15". Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.
It is not a MacBook Pro, it's a plastic 13" MacBook that someone painted- it's also clearly not a 15" model.
The 15" Pro would have had a full size DVI port on the opposite side from the MagSafe port, not mini-DVI as this computer has. There would have also been Firewire 400 and 800 on that same side, not on the power side.
The 15" models also had a physical latch on them, with holes for the latches on the top case, not the bevel cut for the magnetic closure like the 13" MacBook has as seen in these photos.
Hmm. Interesting. I had to look up a video review because the full-size DVI bit threw me for a loop even though EM said it had one. And yeah, it would stick out like a sore thumb. Also, the trackpad isn't right. I thought that for that time period, it would have had a separate trackpad button, and yeah, it should. This is just weird. Why would someone try to make a newer laptop look like an older one? Even Windows is mis-identifying it? Unless the CPU was replaced, if that's possible? Wow this is odd.
EDIT: yeah, the hinge is wrong. Much newer design. Black bevel on the display... also newer. WTF?
They're not. This is a 2007 MacBook painted to look like a 2021-2023 14 or 16" MacBook Pro.
Due to the angle of the photos it's hard to tell, but there is a separate trackpad button– you can tell in the one photo where the edge changes toward the front of the trackpad where the button is.
Look up pictures of the black and white 13" MacBook from 2007. The ports, keyboard, and power button are exact matches aside from the color.
From the CPU speed/type, and overall port arrangement, it looks like that's simply a black 2.16 Ghz MacBook 2,1 that's been rather well painted (spray painted, I'd reckon) to resemble a 13" MacBook Pro. You can even see the outline of the battery on the bottom of the case in some of the photos.
To what end this has been done though, I have no idea. Perhaps they're trying to foist these on unsuspecting buyers on eBay, which is a shame: black MacBooks are actually somewhat valuable among some collectors and retro Mac enthusiasts. (At least in my experience; I've seen black A1181s sell for 2-3x the price of an equivalently spec'd white model.)
To what end this has been done though, I have no idea. Perhaps they're trying to foist these on unsuspecting buyers on eBay, which is a shame: black MacBooks are actually somewhat valuable among some collectors and retro Mac enthusiasts. (At least in my experience; I've seen black A1181s sell for 2-3x the price of an equivalently spec'd white model.)
Does it have any form of MacOS on it, or does it only run Windows? It does indeed look like a "clone" to me.
Edit: It looks like some of the other posts are right; a modified Mid 2007 MacBook.
Edit: It looks like some of the other posts are right; a modified Mid 2007 MacBook.
Last edited:
As others have said, the port selection looks identical to that on a polycarbonate MacBook , but it seems to lack the button bar at the bottom of the trackpad that those had:
![1678686816749.png]( "1678686816749.png")
![1678686827835.png]( "1678686827835.png")
![1678686654836.png]( "1678686654836.png")
Last edited:
Yes, and it also has that notch at the bottom for lifting the cover up more easily that is more typical of newer models and clearly not present on that example photo you have of the polycarbonate MacBook. Also, here's another thing. Look at the ports in the photo of the original post. Those ports don't have cleanly-cut edges to them. It's almost like someone took a shell with no ports and cut them out by hand.
Whatever it is, it's an impressive job.
Looks like it's using a mid-2007 white MacBook logic board, with a repainted case and transplanted Multitouch trackpad.
It boggles my mind how anybody would invest so much time and energy on modding outdated hardware for little functional purpose.
Looks like it's using a mid-2007 white MacBook logic board, with a repainted case and transplanted Multitouch trackpad.
It boggles my mind how anybody would invest so much time and energy on modding outdated hardware for little functional purpose.
The polycarbonate MacBooks had a notch for lifting up the screen. You can barely see it in the photos here because it's white and blends into the case but it's there. The reason why it's black on the model here is because it's a painted black MacBook. That's also why the edges look "cutout" (paint flaked off) and why the Pro in MacBook Pro is crooked.
@chrfr is right.
Ah yes... I see it now when I zoom in on it.
It seems odd that the paint flaked off in the same way (to a point, and in the same general pattern in the direction they point). The USB ports are pretty identical in that way. Hmmm. Maybe it's not painted, but a vinyl cover? That would make more sense to me than painting it. Not that any of this makes much sense. 😂