Is it really worth it to upgrade from 2019 16" macbook pro to M1 Pro?

[jazzneel]

I have a 16" i7 16GB Macbook pro (2019) and am debating if it's worth it to upgrade to the 2021 M1 Pro refurb unit that Microcenter sells for ~$1,260 (open box). The specs on that are M1 Pro 10 core CPU, 16GB unified memory, 1 TB SSD, 16 core GPU.

I really don't need a new laptop, but am open to getting it if it could make sense (so more of a want). My biggest reason honestly is that the resale value on my Pro is $650 from Apple, and thus out of pocket, it would be around $700/800 after tax. I know as each year passes, the intel macs resale value will tank even more than it already has, and I will eventually upgrade my laptop at the latest by 2025. I'm thinking that maybe its worth it to take the $650, as in a couple years, I don't even know if apple will give any $ towards it (or if they do, like $200?). And this laptop (which I'd plan to keep for 5 years) would at least still be worth something since it's still ARM based.

I know the performance on the CPU + GPU (I think the 5300M is slower than the 16 core GPU, correct?) is night/day on the ARM based mac.

Just wondering if anyone has dealt with this and what you ended up doing?

 

[chabig]

I like your line of thinking and would suggest you jump now. The Intel Macs are already restricted from some of the newer Mac features. Apple Silicon will blow you away. You know that burning feeling you feel on the bottom of your Intel Mac under load, and the screaming sound of the fans? Say goodbye…

 

[doolar]

Go! The Intel machines are dead except for some use cases. I dumped my 15" MBP with Intel really fast when the M1 models came along, in fact the base M1 Air beat my Intel MBP in more or less everything from day 1 with half the amount of RAM and storage. Now some three years later the gap is even wider.

If you don't need the power and the display of the Pro machines, the Air's are a breath of fresh... Air.. coming from any Intel machine. No fans, instant wake from sleep (like an iPhone or iPad), no sudden battery drain drama in the bag. Just a cool, fast, instant, stable and precise computer with tons of real battery life. It's really hard to fault the Apple Silicon Macs for everyday tasks. I adore the Air Macs these days, they used to be just for easy tasks, and they were quite slow, hot and with lacking battery life - a real compromise. They're not any more.

 

[RigSatMe]

Hey there! Just a heads-up for all you MacBook Pro users out there. In 2024, the older MacBook Pros from 2018 won't get any more support. And in 2025, it's the turn of the 2019 models to lose support.

If you're rocking a 2019 MacBook with an Intel chip, you've got about two more years of support left. But once October 2025 rolls around, you won't be able to snag the latest macOS updates.

So, maybe it's a good time to think about selling your MacBook Pro while it still has some value. Some folks still prefer running native Windows through Bootcamp, rather than using Parallels.

Oh, and a quick note on M1 to M3 Macs – if you're thinking about getting one, steer clear of 16GB RAM. The hard drive will be heavily swapped under medium and high workload.

 

[conversioncopywriter]

Totally agree with posts here, now is the time to switch. Your intel Macs value will continue to decrease as apple silicon variants iterate (even faster than expected), and that M1 should last you quite a while based on stated use case. Seems like you’ve done your diligence and found a great deal. Grab it!

 

[GMShadow]

Hey there! Just a heads-up for all you MacBook Pro users out there. In 2024, the older MacBook Pros from 2018 won't get any more support. And in 2025, it's the turn of the 2019 models to lose support.

If you're rocking a 2019 MacBook with an Intel chip, you've got about two more years of support left. But once October 2025 rolls around, you won't be able to snag the latest macOS updates.

So, maybe it's a good time to think about selling your MacBook Pro while it still has some value. Some folks still prefer running native Windows through Bootcamp, rather than using Parallels.

Oh, and a quick note on M1 to M3 Macs – if you're thinking about getting one, steer clear of 16GB RAM. The hard drive will be heavily swapped under medium and high workload.

Just a heads up to ignore this post, as none of this has a factual basis and reads more like a bot wrote it.


OP, if you want to upgrade, go ahead.

 

[jz0309]

I have a 16" i7 16GB Macbook pro (2019) and am debating if it's worth it to upgrade to the 2021 M1 Pro refurb unit that Microcenter sells for ~$1,260 (open box). The specs on that are M1 Pro 10 core CPU, 16GB unified memory, 1 TB SSD, 16 core GPU.

I really don't need a new laptop, but am open to getting it if it could make sense (so more of a want). My biggest reason honestly is that the resale value on my Pro is $650 from Apple, and thus out of pocket, it would be around $700/800 after tax. I know as each year passes, the intel macs resale value will tank even more than it already has, and I will eventually upgrade my laptop at the latest by 2025. I'm thinking that maybe its worth it to take the $650, as in a couple years, I don't even know if apple will give any $ towards it (or if they do, like $200?). And this laptop (which I'd plan to keep for 5 years) would at least still be worth something since it's still ARM based.

I know the performance on the CPU + GPU (I think the 5300M is slower than the 16 core GPU, correct?) is night/day on the ARM based mac.

Just wondering if anyone has dealt with this and what you ended up doing?

I made that switch 2.5 years ago to a M1 MBA, love it - go for it!

 

[jz0309]

Hey there! Just a heads-up for all you MacBook Pro users out there. In 2024, the older MacBook Pros from 2018 won't get any more support. And in 2025, it's the turn of the 2019 models to lose support.

If you're rocking a 2019 MacBook with an Intel chip, you've got about two more years of support left. But once October 2025 rolls around, you won't be able to snag the latest macOS updates.

So, maybe it's a good time to think about selling your MacBook Pro while it still has some value. Some folks still prefer running native Windows through Bootcamp, rather than using Parallels.

Oh, and a quick note on M1 to M3 Macs – if you're thinking about getting one, steer clear of 16GB RAM. The hard drive will be heavily swapped under medium and high workload.

And of course you have NO DATA to support any of this, I call BS

 

[RigSatMe]

Just a heads up to ignore this post, as none of this has a factual basis and reads more like a bot wrote it.


OP, if you want to upgrade, go ahead.

Please learn Apple's support discontinuation history of Intel based Mac! Apple intel based Macs are totally out after two years, period!

 

[JustAnExpat]

Hey there! Just a heads-up for all you MacBook Pro users out there. In 2024, the older MacBook Pros from 2018 won't get any more support. And in 2025, it's the turn of the 2019 models to lose support.

If you're rocking a 2019 MacBook with an Intel chip, you've got about two more years of support left. But once October 2025 rolls around, you won't be able to snag the latest macOS updates.

So, maybe it's a good time to think about selling your MacBook Pro while it still has some value. Some folks still prefer running native Windows through Bootcamp, rather than using Parallels.

Oh, and a quick note on M1 to M3 Macs – if you're thinking about getting one, steer clear of 16GB RAM. The hard drive will be heavily swapped under medium and high workload.

ChatGPT? Go away, you're drunk.

> In 2024, the older MacBook Pros from 2018 won't get any more support. And in 2025, it's the turn of the 2019 models to lose support.

Source please.

>If you're rocking a 2019 MacBook with an Intel chip, you've got about two more years of support left. But once October 2025 rolls around, you won't be able to snag the latest macOS updates.

How do you know that? I expect the 2019 MacBook to continue being supported, along with the 2020 MacBook Air (intel).

>So, maybe it's a good time to think about selling your MacBook Pro while it still has some value. Some folks still prefer running native Windows through Bootcamp, rather than using Parallels.

It'll still have value (according to your logic) next year too.

>Oh, and a quick note on M1 to M3 Macs – if you're thinking about getting one, steer clear of 16GB RAM. The hard drive will be heavily swapped under medium and high workload.

Huh? *MAYBE* with 8 GB of RAM, but this is the first time I heard about 16 GB of RAM being "too little".

 

[RigSatMe]

And of course you have NO DATA to support any of this, I call BS

ChatGPT? Go away, you're drunk.

> In 2024, the older MacBook Pros from 2018 won't get any more support. And in 2025, it's the turn of the 2019 models to lose support.

Source please.

>If you're rocking a 2019 MacBook with an Intel chip, you've got about two more years of support left. But once October 2025 rolls around, you won't be able to snag the latest macOS updates.

How do you know that? I expect the 2019 MacBook to continue being supported, along with the 2020 MacBook Air (intel).

>So, maybe it's a good time to think about selling your MacBook Pro while it still has some value. Some folks still prefer running native Windows through Bootcamp, rather than using Parallels.

It'll still have value (according to your logic) next year too.

>Oh, and a quick note on M1 to M3 Macs – if you're thinking about getting one, steer clear of 16GB RAM. The hard drive will be heavily swapped under medium and high workload.

Huh? *MAYBE* with 8 GB of RAM, but this is the first time I heard about 16 GB of RAM being "too little".

ChatGPT?
1. Please learn the historical phase out of intel based Macs!
2. Apple completed full transition to M processors
3. We discuss MacBook Pro 16, 2019. It will be supported in terms of security, however, the one will be phased out from having and option to install macOS version as of October 2025.
4. Xcode, FCPX, Logic Pro, Excel huge files, Numbers huge files, data analysis- 16 GB of RAM is not sufficient. Hard drive will be swapped all the time. We have around two MacBook Airs M1 with dead internal ssd because of Swap!

 

[Beau10]

And of course you have NO DATA to support any of this, I call BS

"Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago."

Once something is vintage, Apple no longer guarantees software updates. Since Intel 16" distribution ended when the M1 Pros were released, that means at least fall '26, but probably right about then as it had a 2 year run and Apple likely wants to get off Intel support ASAP.

 

[GMShadow]

ChatGPT?
1. Please learn the historical phase out of intel based Macs!
2. Apple completed full transition to M processors
3. We discuss MacBook Pro 16, 2019. It will be supported in terms of security, however, the one will be phased out from having and option to install macOS version as of October 2025.
4. Xcode, FCPX, Logic Pro, Excel huge files, Numbers huge files, data analysis- 16 GB of RAM is not sufficient. Hard drive will be swapped all the time. We have around two MacBook Airs M1 with dead internal ssd because of Swap!

You don't know what you're talking about.

 

[RigSatMe]

You don't know what you're talking about.

Glad, you do!

 

[doolar]

ChatGPT?
1. Please learn the historical phase out of intel based Macs!
2. Apple completed full transition to M processors
3. We discuss MacBook Pro 16, 2019. It will be supported in terms of security, however, the one will be phased out from having and option to install macOS version as of October 2025.
4. Xcode, FCPX, Logic Pro, Excel huge files, Numbers huge files, data analysis- 16 GB of RAM is not sufficient. Hard drive will be swapped all the time. We have around two MacBook Airs M1 with dead internal ssd because of Swap!

Sure - if you're on FCP 8 hrs a day editing, go for more ram, I think few would disagree too much.

But your alarmist post should scare no one with a normal use case. Where are all the threads on here and Reddit of all the swap killed 8 and 16 GB RAM SSD M-series Macs? Do I hear silence? Yes I do.

 

[RigSatMe]

Sure - if you're on FCP 8 hrs a day editing, go for more ram, I think few would disagree too much.

But your alarmist post should scare no one with a normal use case. Where are all the threads on here and Reddit of all the swap killed 8 and 16 GB RAM SSD M-series Macs? Do I hear silence? Yes I do.

Why should be there threads?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

OP: do you need Silicon horses for something? Some other reason?

Else, if the one you have is doing all you want it to do, keep your money until you need a new computer. M2 is already in the refurb store now and these brand new M3s will be in there in a few months.

Apple people will always encourage others to buy Apple stuff. It would be like visiting a smoker enthusiast forum and asking if it's a good time to have another smoke? Who cares about our lungs fellas: SMOKE! SMOKE! SMOKE!

As is, you have a late model Intel running fine... and able to also run true & full Windows too in bootcamp if perhaps that matters to you (Silicon can't do that- only ARM Windows, which is NOT full Windows). Your existing Mac can run latest macOS just like that M1 and the new M3s. Etc.

When that Mac can no longer get macOS updates, it's resale value may drop as a Mac. However, it can still be a fantastic Windows machine as Microsoft is not so quick to vintage as Apple... and the world of PC buyers is far larger than the little Apple bubble.

OR, if you ever do need to run anything in Windows and/or you have any apps that don't ever go Silicon (of which there will certainly be some that won't update), you'll have this old computer that can readily still do both to use when needed (I've still got a Snow Leopard Mac for Rosetta 1 to reach all the way back to 2 apps that run only on Power PC Macs. I rarely need it, but when I do, there's no other way to use those apps.).

Save your money. You can probably buy a better, newer Mac in the refurb store when you actually need one. If 2025 is your most likely year to buy a new Mac anyway, that's probably a refurb M4 which this crowd will be spinning as far superior to those "old" M3s, "aging" M2s and those antique, "barely functional", "long in tooth" M1s. Sit on that cash and enjoy your "new" M4 or so when you actually need a new Mac.

Else, buy the M1 now and "we'll" be ridiculing it as "long-in-tooth", "how did we ever get by with..." in 2025 in support of encouraging you to buy yet again ASAP: SMOKE! SMOKE! SMOKE!

 

[jazzneel]

OP: do you need Silicon horses for something? Some other reason?

Else, if the one you have is doing all you want it to do, keep your money until you need a new computer. M2 is already in the refurb store now and these brand new M3s will be in there in a few months.

Apple people will always encourage others to buy Apple stuff. It would be like visiting a smoker enthusiast forum and asking if it's a good time to have another smoke? Who cares about our lungs fellas: SMOKE! SMOKE! SMOKE!

As is, you have a late model Intel running fine... and able to also run true & full Windows too in bootcamp if perhaps that matters to you (Silicon can't do that- only ARM Windows, which is NOT full Windows). Your existing Mac can run latest macOS just like that M1 and the new M3s. Etc.

When that Mac can no longer get macOS updates, it's resale value may drop as a Mac. However, it can still be a fantastic Windows machine as Microsoft is not so quick to vintage as Apple... and the world of PC buyers is far larger than the little Apple bubble.

OR, if you ever do need to run anything in Windows and/or you have any apps that don't ever go Silicon (of which there will certainly be some that won't update), you'll have this old computer that can readily still do both to use when needed (I've still got a Snow Leopard Mac for Rosetta 1 to reach all the way back to 2 apps that run only on Power PC Macs. I rarely need it, but when I do, there's no other way to use those apps.).

Save your money. You can probably buy a better, newer Mac in the refurb store when you actually need one. If 2025 is your most likely year to buy a new Mac anyway, that's probably a refurb M4 which this crowd will be spinning as far superior to those "old" M3s, "aging" M2s and those antique, "barely functional", "long in tooth" M1s. Sit on that cash and enjoy your "new" M4 or so when you actually need a new Mac.

Else, buy the M1 now and "we'll" be ridiculing it as "long-in-tooth", "how did we ever get by with..." in 2025 in support of encouraging you to buy yet again ASAP: SMOKE! SMOKE! SMOKE!

Thank you all for the responses.....

That's the thing, I honestly DON'T need the new laptop for what I do. Mine is currently running just fine and the only reason I was thinking of this is that when I do upgrade (and probably in 2 years), even if the prices are ~$1,300ish for a refurb, I wouldn't be able to offset it with anything (as this macbook would probably have limited trade in value, and I don't want to deal with online sales).

Not spending $$ now when I don't need to maybe is the right option.... even if I spend more in a couple years.

Appreciate the honest response!

 

[ndouglas]

I’m in a similar boat. I don’t need a new laptop and unlike many vocal posters in this forum, my 2019 16” laptop does not overheat (I have noticed it get warm at times, yes, but not often) and it works mostly just fine. However I took the plunge, at least just to try it out, getting $650 for trading it in and the similar 16” M3 laptop which should arrive soon. I’ve gone back and forth about basically 3 options:

1. Keeping the 2019 for at least 1-2 more years
2. Returning the M3 2023 16” I ordered after a few days, and getting the 15” Air instead
3. Keeping the M3 that will arrive soon and just enjoying it. Knowing (ok hoping) I will get better/decent trade-in value for it, in a couple years, if/when some better option comes along.

Just my experience, and I know OP is looking at the M1 laptop, vs. newer than that. I think that will still be a good upgrade, but like others have posted, you might just wait until you need one. Good luck with your decision, keep us posted if you get the M1 and how you like it!

 

[GMShadow]

I think there's a lot of 2019 16" owners in the same boat. I still had AppleCare on mine and decided to extend it another year, as I really don't *need* the benefits of Silicon just yet - 6-7 hours of battery life is fine for what I use it for now, and I've been using my iMac more lately anyway.

I'd say I would just ride it into the ground but since that iMac is also a 2020 5K, it's going to go software EOL at the same time as the MBP, so I'll have to upgrade one first at some point, as buying two Macs in one year is a tad more than I want to spend.

 

[Timpetus]

I upgraded from my mid-level 2016 15" MBP 16/512 to a 14" M1 Max 64/2TB because it was on sale for $1900 off with $100 AppleCare at B&H, where I also save the sales tax thanks to their credit card. It was probably a little early for me, as I usually go closer to 10 years on a laptop, but I'm glad I made the jump. If I had a 2019 instead I probably would have waited a couple more years. Maybe then you can get a similar deal on an M3 Max!

 

[Wando64]

you won't be able to snag the latest macOS updates.

But whichever OS version you are running will carry on being supported for at least another two years thereafter.

 

[Lucas Curious]

I had that 2019 and was happy to trade it for the M1 Pro exactly 2 years ago. Apple gave me $1250 for it I think. It was a big difference. The M1 is snappier performance even in genneral use and lasts all day running silent. Get rid of that Intel dinosaur. Im now upgrading to the M3 Max, not because the M1 Pro is bad.... Its great... I want more ram and more gpu cores and I want to go from 16 to 14" But the M1 Pro is still great and should feel great for many years. That intel would get hot, get stutters delays and battery wouldn't last long.

 

[MrGimper]

Still running a 16" 2.3 i9 2019 with 64GB RAM and 2TB storage. Just renewed AC+ for another year. Will re-evaluate when we start seeing M3's in the refurb store, probably.

Oh and I have a 2014 27" iMac that's running Sonoma via OCLP.

 

[RigSatMe]

Still running a 16" 2.3 i9 2019 with 64GB RAM and 2TB storage. Just renewed AC+ for another year. Will re-evaluate when we start seeing M3's in the refurb store, probably.

Oh and I have a 2014 27" iMac that's running Sonoma via OCLP.

The one is the beast! It'll be running fine for the majority of the tasks. I'd keep the once as long as possible and as long as latest available macOS will support app requirements.