Alexei Volkov
Apple's plastic MacBooks, also known as the original MacBooks, were sold between May 2006 and February 2012. The last plastic-shelled MacBook was produced in 2010 before being discontinued in mid-2011, in favor of the MacBook Air. The plastic MacBooks were known for their iconic design, with colorful translucent plastic bodies, and were considered a fashion statement in the world of laptops. The switch to aluminum allowed MacBooks to become thinner and more premium, but some users still reminisce about the unique look and feel of the plastic models. While Apple no longer sells plastic MacBooks, there have been suggestions for a more affordable MacBook SE with a plastic shell to cater to those who prefer the classic design and the infinite color options it offers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date plastic MacBooks were discontinued | July 20, 2011 |
| Date plastic MacBooks were discontinued for educational institutions | February 2012 |
| Last plastic MacBook produced | 2010 13-inch MacBook |
| Date the first unibody aluminum MacBooks were released | 2009 |
| Date sales of the black polycarbonate MacBook ceased | October 2008 |
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What You'll Learn
The last plastic MacBook was released in 2009
The MacBook is a line of Mac laptops sold by Apple Inc. between May 2006 and February 2012. The last plastic MacBook was released in 2009.
The original MacBook, available in black or white cases, was released on May 16, 2006, and used the Intel Core Duo processor and 945GM chipset. Later revisions of the MacBook moved to the Core 2 Duo processor and the GM965 chipset, with Intel's GMA X3100 integrated graphics on an 800 MHz system bus. The first MacBooks had polycarbonate shells, and you could get your fancy new MacBook in polycarbonate until 2009.
On October 20, 2009, Apple released a MacBook with a new polycarbonate (plastic) unibody design, faster DDR3 memory, a multi-touch trackpad, an LED-backlit display, and a built-in seven-hour battery. The polycarbonate unibody MacBook, like its aluminum predecessor, lacked FireWire and, like the 13-inch MacBook Pro, had a combined audio in/out port. There was no infrared port and the Apple Remote was not included.
Sales of the black polycarbonate MacBook ceased in October 2008 after the introduction of the aluminum MacBook, however, the white model continued to be sold until the introduction of the redesigned unibody polycarbonate MacBook. The MacBook was discontinued for consumer purchases on July 20, 2011, but was still available to educational institutions until February 2012. It was the last Mac to use a plastic shell, as every Mac since has used aluminum.
Apple is no stranger to plastic laptops, and the era of white and clear plastics is still considered a favorite for Apple design. The G4 iMac and quicksilver Power Mac are things of beauty. The iMac G3 became a computing icon, and its translucent plastic case was a radical departure from the look of the company's previous computers. The iMac is credited with saving Apple from financial ruin and turning personal computers from niche, technical products to mass-consumer fashion.
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The MacBook was discontinued in 2011
The MacBook was an entry-level laptop aimed at consumers and educational institutions. It was the most affordable Mac, positioned below the premium ultra-portable MacBook Air and the performance-oriented MacBook Pro. The MacBook was available in black or white colours and featured a polycarbonate and fibreglass casing.
The MacBook underwent several design iterations during its lifespan. The original design used a combination of polycarbonate and fibreglass, while the second design introduced in 2008 featured a unibody aluminium casing. The final design was a polycarbonate unibody MacBook with a rounded edge design, released in 2009.
The discontinuation of the MacBook in 2011 was due to its effective supersedure by the MacBook Air, which offered a lower entry price. Apple continued to sell the MacBook to educational institutions until February 2012. A new line of computers with the MacBook name was released in 2015, serving the same purpose as an entry-level laptop.
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Plastic MacBooks are now considered obsolete
Apple's last plastic MacBook, the 13-inch MacBook released in 2010, is now considered obsolete. The polycarbonate unibody MacBook was discontinued in mid-2011, with the introduction of the MacBook Air, which had a lower entry price. The plastic MacBook was sold to educational institutions until February 2012 and was added to Apple's list of vintage products in the United States and Turkey. In the rest of the world, it is considered obsolete.
The original MacBook, available in black or white, was released in May 2006. It featured a polycarbonate and fiberglass casing, modelled after the iBook G4. The black polycarbonate MacBook ceased production in October 2008, after the introduction of the aluminum MacBook. The white model continued to be sold until the introduction of the redesigned unibody polycarbonate MacBook.
The 2010 MacBook was the final plastic-shelled MacBook produced by Apple. While some have suggested that Apple should reintroduce a plastic MacBook, the company has not indicated any plans to do so. Instead, Apple has continued to release updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, with the latest updates planned for the first half of 2026.
The plastic MacBook is considered iconic by many, and its discontinuation has left a gap in Apple's laptop lineup for a more affordable option. Plastic MacBooks would also offer an infinite number of color options, a departure from the limited choices currently available for MacBook colors. Additionally, polycarbonate is less energy-intensive than aluminum to work with, making it a more sustainable option.
Despite these advantages, Apple has not reintroduced a plastic MacBook. The switch to aluminum has allowed MacBooks to be incredibly thin while maintaining a premium look and feel. However, some users still feel more warmth towards the older plastic models, and Apple's plastic designs have been credited with saving the company from financial ruin in the late 1990s.
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Apple replaced plastic with aluminium
Apple's final plastic-shelled MacBook was produced in 2010 before discontinuing the line in mid-2011. The company introduced the unibody polycarbonate MacBook in late 2009, offering it in black and white. The 2009 model was sold for a short time, and the 2010 model was the last plastic MacBook produced.
Aluminium is a popular material for consumer electronics due to its durability and environmental benefits. It is resistant to dents and cracks, which are common issues with plastic. Additionally, aluminium has a high thermal conductivity, making it ideal for large electronics that need to be cooled efficiently.
Apple's decision to switch from plastic to aluminium may have been influenced by the company's desire to reduce its environmental impact. Aluminium can be recycled indefinitely, while most food-grade plastics are "downcycled," resulting in degraded quality each time they are reprocessed. By using recycled aluminium, Apple can reduce the need to mine new materials and decrease its environmental footprint.
While some users have expressed nostalgia for the iconic plastic MacBooks, the switch to aluminium has allowed Apple to create more durable and environmentally-friendly products. The company's commitment to using recycled materials and reducing waste is a positive step towards sustainability.
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Plastic MacBooks were available in black or white
The original plastic MacBook was available in black or white. The black version was the most expensive model, costing $200 more than the white model at launch. The only difference between the two models was the colour and the amount of storage space. The black MacBook was available from May 2006 until October 2008, when sales ceased following the introduction of the aluminium MacBook. The white MacBook was available until the introduction of the redesigned unibody polycarbonate MacBook.
The plastic MacBook was the first MacBook to use a combination of polycarbonate and fibreglass casing, modelled after the iBook G4. It was also one of Apple's first laptops to adopt the MagSafe power connector. The MacBook was thinner than its predecessor, the iBook G4, but wider than the 12-inch model, and had a widescreen display.
The plastic MacBook was replaced by a new, more rounded polycarbonate (plastic) unibody design in October 2009. This model was offered in black and white but was sold for only a short time, being discontinued in mid-2011 after the introduction of the MacBook Air.
The plastic MacBooks are considered iconic by some, and the black version was the envy of many users who ended up with cheaper options. However, the plastic MacBooks were not without issues. Some models discoloured, and there were problems with chipping plastic around the palm rest, hard drive issues, and random shutdowns.
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Frequently asked questions
Mac stopped selling plastic Macs in July 2011 when the plastic MacBook was discontinued for consumer purchase.
The plastic MacBook was discontinued in favor of the new MacBook Air, which had a lower entry price.
The plastic MacBook was added to Apple's list of Mac products that are considered "vintage" in the United States and Turkey and "obsolete" in the rest of the world.
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