![\"Three](\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Three-MacBooc-Pros.jpg\")
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By no means was the Mac created in 2008. Apple\u2019s family of personal computers began all the way back in 1984 with the Macintosh and was re-branded as Mac in 1998. Ten years after that historic re-launch, the Mac lineup had expanded to feature the iMac, Mac Pro, Mac mini, MacBook and MacBook Pro. <\/span><\/p>\n Another important addition was made to the Mac lineup<\/a> in 2008 \u2013 the MacBook Air. The MacBook Air featured a sleek new design making it the thinnest notebook in Apple\u2019s lineup. The thin design came with trade-offs in terms of upgradability \u2013 a trend that has followed with the other Mac models in subsequent years. But that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t still get more out of your Mac from the past 10 years with DIY upgrades. <\/span><\/p>\n In this guide, we show you all the enhancements that can be made to all of the Mac notebook models from the past 10-plus years (as of Oct. 31, 2018) beginning with 2008. Not sure which Mac you have? This article will help you find your Model ID: Finding Your Model Identifier Helps You ID Your Mac, Find Right Upgrades<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to check out our Install Video page<\/a> for step-by-step guides to nearly any upgrade you want to make. And be sure to visit OWC<\/a> for all your Mac accessories<\/a> including power adapters<\/a>, optical drives<\/a>, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n Mac Desktops:<\/strong> How to Enhance Any Desktop Mac Since 2008<\/a><\/p>\n Available upgrades<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n 2009:<\/b> After early and mid 2009 brought minor spec bumps, late 2009 saw a significantly improved MacBook. The result was a redesigned polycarbonate unibody case with and LED-backlit screen and improved trackpad. The FireWire port was also removed as it was in the aluminum MacBook from the previous year. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n 2010:<\/b> The 2010 MacBook was quietly announced and came with a faster processor and graphics chipset. There was only one configuration of the 2010 MacBook that was made available with 2GB of memory (upgradable to 16GB). This would be the final polycarbonate MacBook that Apple would introduce. It was discontinued in 2011 for purchase by consumers. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n 2016:<\/b> In 2016, Apple released a 12\u201d MacBook with a spec bump from the 2015 model. A faster processor, RAM and graphics, and a new Rose Gold finish were among the updates. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n 2017:<\/b> The most recent 12\u201d MacBook model came in 2017 and brought yet another spec bump as well as an updated butterfly keyboard. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n 2009:<\/b> While featuring the same design, the 2009 MacBook Air brought a lower entry price and a speed bump. Otherwise, there were no major changes from the 2008 MacBook Air model. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades:<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n 2010:<\/b> In late 2010, the MacBook Air saw its first redesign and featured flash storage as a standard and a better screen and battery. Also introduced was a new 11.6\u201d model \u2013 Apple\u2019s smallest notebook yet \u2013 which was sold at a lower price and had slightly inferior performance. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n 2011:<\/b> The discontinuation of the white MacBook made the 2011 MacBook Air Apple\u2019s entry-level notebook. The 2011 models featured a spec bump as well as a backlit keyboard, a FaceTime camera, two USB ports and for the first time a Thunderbolt port. The memory was configurable up to 4GB but still not user-upgradable. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades:<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n 2012:<\/b> The 2012 MacBook Air featured the same form factor as the 2011 models. New processors, USB 3 ports, as well as higher memory and SSD capacities were also added to the \u201912 MacBook Air models. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n 2014:<\/b> There wasn\u2019t much new in the 2014 MacBook Air other than spec bumps and an entry price decrease. RAM was once again configurable to 8GB and storage to 256GB. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n 2015:<\/b> Once again, a new MacBook Air model came without significant change other than specs bumps. The 2015 model was the first to include Thunderbolt 2 connectivity. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n 2017:<\/b> In 2017, the MacBook Air was quietly refreshed with a modest spec bump. Otherwise, it was largely unchanged from 2015 (there was no 2016 release). <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n 201<\/b>8<\/b>:<\/b> In late 2018, the MacBook Air got its first redesign in many years. The form factor remained similar with keyboard, trackpad and speaker upgrades. The connectivity was switched to only Thunderbolt 3 ports. A Retina display and Touch ID were also brought to the Mac for the first time. Internally, memory is upgradable to 16GB from the factory and storage up to 1.5TB. <\/span><\/p>\n Available upgrades: <\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Screen-Shot-2018-10-31-at-4.13.57-PM.png\")
<\/h2>\n![\"White](\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/MacBook-white-284x201.jpg\")
2008:<\/b> The year 2008 brought two new MacBook models \u2013 an early and late-year model. The early 2008 model featured upgraded specs and the same as the hugely popular polycarbonate model from the previous year, which was one of the best-selling laptops of the year in the U.S. The late \u201908 model featured a new aluminum design similar to the MacBook Pro. The later model also abandoned the ubiquitous FireWire 400 port, featuring two USB ports instead. The Late \u201908 model was the first to allow for removal of the optical drive in favor of a second hard drive with the Data Doubler kit. <\/span><\/p>\n\n
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![\"Gold](\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/MacBook-gold-284x233.jpg\")
2015:<\/b> For the first time since 2010, Apple released a 12\u201d MacBook in March 2015. Aesthetically, the new MacBook had more in common with the MacBook Air than the previous MacBook models. It is Apple\u2019s thinnest notebook and boasts a Retina display and only two ports \u2013 a headphone jack and USB-C port for charging as well as data transfer and video output. It also features a redesigned \u201cbutterfly\u201d keyboard. The MacBook lacks any internal upgradability. <\/span><\/p>\n\n
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<\/p>\n![\"MacBook](\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/MacBook-Air-284x211.jpg\")
2008:<\/b> Introduced in January 2008 as a high-end and ultra-portable system, the inaugural MacBook Air came in a 13.3\u201d model and was promoted as the world\u2019s thinnest notebook. The first MacBook Air came with 2GB of non-upgradable memory and an 80GB HDD or 64GB SSD. There was no FireWire or Ethernet port and only a single USB port on the first MacBook Air. Apple also ditched the optical drive for the first time on modern Macs. A late 2008 MacBook Air model brought a minor spec bump and Mini DisplayPort. <\/span><\/p>\n\n
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![\"MacBook](\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/MacBook-Air-11_1-284x160.jpg\")
2013:<\/b> The 2013 MacBook Air featured the same form factor as the previous model. Among the new specs were better processors, more storage and much better battery life. <\/span><\/p>\n\n
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<\/p>\n![\"mid-2012](\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/mid-2012-MacBook-Pro.jpg\")
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