Is a maxed out 2019 MBP a good buy in 2022?

[DMG35]

Through my work they are offering some 2019 intel MBP’s. These are the 16” touchbar 64GB/8TB models with 5600M Graphics card. I’d have to pay around $2k for it if I wanted one. They are low on battery cycles and in mint condition. Would one of these be a good buy right now? Just curious as to what you guys think. Thanks!

 

[russell_314]

I think it would depend on what you want. The only way I would buy that is if I needed to run older programs or x86 Windows. If that’s not you then no way and definitely not for $2000

 

[iSuzan]

No. Unless you need Windows support. 64GB/8TB is huge... but still. No.

 

[rovostrov]

Through my work they are offering some 2019 intel MBP’s. These are the 16” touchbar 64GB/8TB models with 5600M Graphics card. I’d have to pay around $2k for it if I wanted one. They are low on battery cycles and in mint condition. Would one of these be a good buy right now? Just curious as to what you guys think. Thanks!

I've been eyeing these recently. I have to run a few win programs for work so the 2019 is the last of that batch . $2k seems like a decent deal for 8TB & 5600. The 2.4Ghz have been going for around $1600-$1700 on ebay for 2TB/5500 in like new condition

 

[Juicy Box]

What do you plan on using it for?

 

[ScholarsInk]

If your plan is boot camp, you’d be better off getting a dedicated windows machine with up to date specs.

If your plan is compatibility with certain Mac apps that might be different.

 

[BeatCrazy]

No Intel Mac can be designated as a 'good buy' in 2022, unless you're getting it at <25% of MSRP.

 

[v1ctorS]

I wouldn't buy an Intel Mac in 2022. I recently read an article on Ars where they predicted Apple is going to cut off support for Intel Macs in 2025 so that would leave you with only 2 more years.

 

[tinygoblin]

Totally worth it, no M1 computer is near 5600M in terms of performance. I'd buy 2 for this price in a blink of an eye (though I do own one myself already). Go for it, it's a bargain!

 

[R_Allonce]

I will echo my opinion as far and as long as I can. The 2019 MBP is one of the worst Apple purchases I have ever made. I have never been more disappointed in a machine. I purchased a maxed out version as I do heavy editing and coding, but this thing got hot to the touch... just browsing Safari. The fans going full power for every menial task is embarrassing. I would not recommend that machine.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'd say "no" -- UNLESS you absolutely have-to-have Windows capability.

 

[diggy33]

It absolutely is, but not at that price point

 

[ScholarsInk]

I just saw the $2k bit. Missed that earlier. Absolutely not a good buy by any stretch.

 

[hovscorpion12]

Brah. For $2K. Go for it. That Machine sold for $7K.

 

[chrfr]

Brah. For $2K. Go for it. That Machine sold for $7K.

That's not a good metric for evaluating present day computer values.

 

[rovostrov]

A 3 year old macbook has lost 5K in value? Perhaps they are just way overpriced from the start. I know it's an intel chip but saving $5k on a 2019, seems decent to me

 

[Realityck]

A 3 year old macbook has lost 5K in value? Perhaps they are just way overpriced from the start. I know it's an intel chip but saving $5k on a 2019, seems decent to me

Yeah they paid a lot for the Ram/Storage. Apple is selling refurbs of the 2019 MacBook Pro 2.4GHz 8-core Intel Core i9 with Retina display - Space Gray with 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD for $2899, but that allows you to buy AppleCare optionally. This company deal doesn't provide that.

Comparably I see the 2021 16 M1 Max 32 GB RAM 1 TB SSD for as low as $3099 at Costco for an example.
It's the model I have and it's a whole another step up, with 6 speakers, HDR capable mini-LED screen, way faster memory bandwidth.

MacBook Pro (2021) vs. MacBook Pro (2019): Should you upgrade?

We pit the MacBook Pro (2021) vs. MacBook Pro (2019) and help you decide if you need the upgrade or not.

www.imore.com

 

[Sterkenburg]

I would never pay 2k for an Intel Mac right now. Not with the deals on M1 Pro and M1 Max machines that are floating around.

Yes, the 64GB RAM and 8TB SSD made that an insanely expensive configuration at release, but saving on the original price is probably not the metric you want to optimize. Do you need that level of specs right now for your workflow? Do you have a specific use case for x86?

 

[glhiii]

I have both a 2019 and 2021 16" MBP -- neither is maxed out, so I can't judge that part. But I would buy the M1 machine any day over the 2019 one. The M1 is just a far better engineered computer, and far more pleasant to use.

 

[G5isAlive]

I think it would depend on what you want. The only way I would buy that is if I needed to run older programs or x86 Windows. If that’s not you then no way and definitely not for $2000

Agreed. Apple silicon is the future. Only buy if you want windows and even that won’t be supported forever.

 

[sam_dean]

I'd get an Intel Mac if the apps you use are Intel-only & if you have I/O ports that are Intel-only.

Other than that I wish my last Intel Macs were 2012 models.

From 32nm or 22nm to 5nm or 3nm.

Next upgrade would be by 2032.

 

[subjonas]

I wouldn't buy an Intel Mac in 2022. I recently read an article on Ars where they predicted Apple is going to cut off support for Intel Macs in 2025 so that would leave you with only 2 more years.

Extremely unlikely. They still sell the Intel Mac Mini. Two years of support for a new Mac would be a very bad look for Apple, especially with businesses that buy these machines.

 

[subjonas]

That's not a good metric for evaluating present day computer values.

It sure can be, just depends. Discounted price is not the only factor of course, but <30% original cost after only 3 years is significant. Whether it’s significant enough depends entirely on the individual—what their computer needs are (x86 on a Mac would need to be at least somewhat important to them), and what a dollar is worth to them. Shoot I’d take a trash can Mac Pro at a low enough price. It’s still a highly functioning Mac. So low enough price is always at least a factor.

Edit- actually at the prices of storage, the 8TB alone could theoretically be worth it if that’s important enough to them. Assuming they’re only in the market for a 16” MacBook, an 8TB M1 right now is about $6000. It’s unlikely storage is all that matters to OP, but this is just to illustrate the point that value and metrics ultimately depend on the user.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Extremely unlikely. They still sell the Intel Mac Mini. Two years of support for a new Mac would be a very bad look for Apple, especially with businesses that buy these machines.

I'm not sure why people conflate 'support' = most recent macOS. Apple always gives 2 more years of security updates even after it no longer receives the most recent macOS.

Mac mini 2018 should get macOS 14 and 15, then two more years of security updates which would end in Fall 2026. (or Fall 2025 if it doesn't get official macOS 15). Plenty of 'support' for anyone buying a 4 year old machine in late 2022.

 

[chrfr]

I'm not sure why people conflate 'support' = most recent macOS. Apple always gives 2 more years of security updates even after it no longer receives the most recent macOS.

Apple did recently clarify that they only guarantee patches for the current major version of macOS, so it’s more difficult to rely on the “two years of security updates” rule of thumb.