MacBook (13-inch) through MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009): External ports and connectors
Summary
The external ports and connectors of a MacBook can be found on the left side of the computer.
I/O Ports

| The ports (back to front) and what they do | |
| Power adapter port |
Plug in your 60W MagSafe Power Adapter to recharge your MacBook battery. |
| Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000Base-T) |
The MacBook has a built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet port, which allows the computer to be connected to an Ethernet cable from a cable or DSL modem, hub, switch, or router, or to another Macintosh computer. The connected device can be either a 10Base-T, 100Base-TX or a 1000Base-T device; the port automatically detects which type of device is connected. You don't have to use an Ethernet crossover cable to connect to other Ethernet devices. |
| Mini-DVI (video out) port |
Connect to an external display or projection device that uses a DVI, VGA, composite, or S-video connector. Depending on the type of external device you're connecting to, you can use:
The video output port allows video mirroring, which allows you to see the same image on your MacBook display and on an external monitor, television, or projector. It also allows extended desktop, in which the second display gives you additional desktop real estate. You can use your MacBook in lid closed mode if the computer is connected to an external display, keyboard, and mouse. Note: The Mini-DVI to VIdeo adapter and its S-video and composite connections are not supported on MacBook computers with NVIDIA graphics cards such as the MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009) and MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009). |
| USB 2.0 port |
Two Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports. All of the USB ports use USB Type A connectors, which have four pins each. The USB 2.0 ports support low-speed, full-speed, and high-speed data transfers at up to 1.5 megabits per second (Mbit/s), 12 Mbit/s, and 480 Mbit/s, respectively. |
| FireWire 400 port |
The MacBook features one 400 Mbit/s FireWire (IEEE 1394a) port; 7 watts. 400 Mbit/s is a theoretical maximum load, and actual rates will vary. This port is used by older iPods as well as third-party devices such as video cameras or external hard drives or optical drives. |
| Audio line in/optical digital audio in port |
Connect your MacBook to a line-level microphone or optical digital audio equipment. The Audio In port accommodates both optical digital audio input and analog audio input. Analog line and optical digital audio input is accepted through a 3.5mm mini phone jack which does not provide power to a connected device, so you must use self-powered peripherals. The sound input jack accepts line-level stereo signals up to 24-bit stereo 44.1-192kHz sampling rate. It also accepts a stereo miniplug-to-RCA cable adapter for connecting stereo equipment to the computer. Optical digital audio input is S/PDIF format and uses a standard Toslink cable with a Toslink mini-plug adapter, accepting up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-96kHz sampling rate. |
| Headphone/optical digital audio out port |
Connect external speakers, headphones, or optical digital audio equipment. The headphone / line output jack accommodates optical digital audio output, analog audio output with a 24-bit, 44.1-192 kHz D/A converter, digital audio output up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-192 kHz sampling rate and supporting encoded digital audio output (AC3 and DTS). For analog headphone / line output a standard audio cable with 3.5mm metal plug should be used. For digital audio, a standard toslink cable with a toslink mini-plug adapter can be used. |
| Security slot |
This slot is designed to fit a lock and cable to prevent theft. Such locks are available through the Apple Store. |
Additional Information
To identify your MacBook model, use the information in How to identify MacBook models.
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