Can you upgrade processors in a macbook?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Can you upgrade processors in a macbook?

I have a white 13' macbook from mid 2007 with an Intel Core Duo processor. I am wondering if there is anyway to upgrade the processor to Intel Core 2 Duo. I ultimately want to upgrade to Lion this summer. I am still running Tiger 10.4.11 and I know that I will have to upgrade to Snow Leopard first but apparently I also need the higher processor. Is this something that I could just buy and install easily on my own? Is it something the mac store could do for me? Or can you not change the processors within your notebook? Thank you for any help you can give me.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11), Intel Core Duo

Posted on Jun 10, 2011 9:06 PM

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Answer 1

Sjazbec

Level 4

1,674 points

Jun 20, 2011 5:49 AM in response to brennaclaire

I suggest you buy now Snow Leo as it is the maximum OS for your machine as long as it is available. The Mac Box Set which included ilife and iwork will also count as a full license, compared to the 29 Euro SnowLeo only disk which is considered a upgrade license for exisiting Leo Users ( installation media is the same as a "full" version, no former OS needed to install ) .

I say that because People that skipped Leopard and can't go to Snow ( i.e. ppc users ) are having a hard time finding proper discs for acceptable prices. Apple will likely remove SL packages from their store once Lion is out. However you cannot have Lion on that machine because you have only a 32bit Intel CPU and Lion needs 64bit.

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Answer 2

Jun 10, 2011 9:08 PM in response to brennaclaire

No. The processor is soldered to the motherboard.

Allan

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Answer 3

kisuke3

Level 3

914 points

Jun 10, 2011 9:10 PM in response to brennaclaire

Processors are built in to the Logic board so upgrading it would mean changing the whole logic board. Unfortunately it is not suggested for you to do this on your own as the logic board must be apple supported as well as its processor. Long story short, unless you know what you're doing you shouldn't change your Logic board yourself.

As far as requirement goes, you can only up to Snow leopard. If you really wish to have lion, you should think about getting a new machine. Its not just about processor bud, but you also have to consider all the hardware specs on your old machine.

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Answer 4

Jun 20, 2011 10:34 AM in response to Sjazbec

Sjazbec wrote:

I suggest you buy now Snow Leo as it is the maximum OS for your machine as long as it is available. The Mac Box Set which included ilife and iwork will also count as a full license, compared to the 29 Euro SnowLeo only disk which is considered a upgrade license for exisiting Leo Users ( installation media is the same as a "full" version, no former OS needed to install ) .

The installation disc and licence is identical for the single DVD and the one in the box set. You do not need Leopard to go from Tiger to SL with the standalone disc.

Upgrade discs were only available for a short time for buyers of new Macs in the launch window of Leopard.

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