What version of MacOS X is pre-installed on the White "Unibody" MacBook?

The White "Unibody" MacBook models ship, or shipped, with a version of Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard."

Specifically, the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 13" (White Polycarbonate Unibody/Late 2009) shipped with MacOS X 10.6.1, build number 10A2047. The current MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (Mid-2010) ships with Mac OS X 10.6.3, build number 10D2162.

For the maximum supported version of MacOS X for all "recent" -- G3 and later -- Macs, please refer to the Maximum Supported MacOS listing.

Can the White "Unibody" MacBook run MacOS 9/Classic applications?

Apple provides no support for running MacOS 9 or the "Classic Environment" on Intel-based Macs like the White "Unibody" MacBook. Intel-based Macs rely on the "Rosetta Universal Binary Translator" to run software for MacOS X for PowerPC, and this emulator cannot run "Classic/MacOS 9" applications.

Additionally, the White "Unibody" MacBook models ship with MacOS X 10.6"Snow Leopard", which also provides no support for "MacOS 9/Classic" applications.

If you have a mission critical application that only runs on MacOS 9, you likely would be best served by maintaining a PowerPC-based Mac. However, you may also be interested in reading "Are there any third-party programs to run MacOS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?" from the MacOS 9/Classic Support Q&A.

Site sponsor Operator Headgap Systems specializes in refurbished, and often heavily upgraded, systems capable of booting in both MacOS X and MacOS 9. Site sponsor PowerMax also sells systems capable of running MacOS 9/Classic.

Can the White "Unibody" MacBook run Windows?

Yes. For those unfortunate ones condemned to use Windows, the Windows on Mac Q&A provides answers for just about everything you need to know about running Windows on the White "Unibody" MacBook or any other Intel-based Mac.

Can the White "Unibody" MacBook run Linux?

Yes. All Intel-based Macs are capable of running a number of Intel-based distributions of Linux through Apple Boot Camp or by using "virtualization".

For more on Boot Camp and Virtualization, please refer to the Windows on Mac Q&A.