Advice buying a refurbished MacBook Pro

[Polana]

I’m in need of upgrading! I have a MacBook Pro 2, from 2006. It’s so slow, only works without a battery. Some websites don’t load and I can’t update the browser.
So I figured I would get a refurbished MacBook Pro from BackMarket or ItsWorthMore. Unless someone can advise me on how to fix my old one, however I’m not attached to it.
I would like to do pretty beginner things and only occasionally use photoshop or some basic website edits.
I can spend $650-750.
I’d like a 15in screen, 500gb storage.
I’m undecided on the following and could use some advice;
- is there a significant difference between 8gb or 16gb ram? i5 or i7?
- what year is best or worst, between 2016-2019?
- is the keyboard a big deal? I’ve read some issues with “butterfly” are common
- are any models better in terms of upgrading in the long run?
I’m pretty sure I would have to stick to 2017 or 2018 based on my budget. However some “fair” offers look good.
Overall any advice which would help me narrow down my search are welcome as it’s become quite overwhelming!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you want a truly refurbished Mac, stick with the Apple Refurbished Store. Otherwise, it is buyer beware regardless of what website X says. I would also suggest looking on swappa.com

 

[Sanpete]

- is there a significant difference between 8gb or 16gb ram? i5 or i7?
- what year is best or worst, between 2016-2019?
- is the keyboard a big deal? I’ve read some issues with “butterfly” are common
- are any models better in terms of upgrading in the long run?

Considering what you've been using, 8GB memory will be plenty for you. If you decide to do big heavy-duty stuff in Photoshop, that could change.

Flexgate, a screen issue caused by a video cable, afflicted some models from 2016 and 2017, and possibly later, though it was supposedly remedied after that.

The keyboard can be a big deal, unless you plan to use a USB or Bluetooth keyboard. The butterfly keyboard isn't reliable over time. Keys may come off or stop working.

I don't think there's much difference in upgradability within 2016-2019.

 

[Fishrrman]

Fishrrman's rules for used MacBook buying:

DO NOT BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
MacBook Pro 15" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!

DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.