Also, Apple has the resources to be masters of their own fate, especially the supply chain. Same reason Tesla builds more and more components themselves rather than buy things from auto parts manufactures. It let them continue to ship when other companies had cars awaiting a critical part parked in a storage lot.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Refurbished 16" MBP (i9 model)
- Thread starter maflynn
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Hope you don’t mind a brief question, not really on topic though. Just bought 2.4 i9, came with 12.6 but it will not update to 12.6.1. Tried twice, nothing, just rebooted and goes to login screen. Anyone know of issues with the updated? Apologies if this is the wrong forum. Else very happy with screen and spec (32/1TB).
I have the 16” M1-based MacBook and previously used a 14” M1-based MacBook Pro for work. I know a lot of folks prefer the 14” for portability, but I vastly prefer the 16” form factor for the extra screen space, particularly when debugging/building code.
If the trade off in portability doesn’t bother you (I personally don’t mind it), then I’d say definitely go for a 16” — the question then becomes whether you go Intel or Apple Silicon. Perhaps I missed it, but would you be replacing your 14” with the 16” or just adding the 16” to the mix?
I may be wrong, but I think you’ve shared how you’ve experienced some compatibility problems on Windows ARM via Parallels so an Intel-based Mac (assuming this is your only x86 chip in your house) could be a good fit for you. And if you decided to keep your 14” then you still have a portable, “modern” Mac for when you need it.
But if you’re planning on not keeping your 14”, then I wonder if going for a 16” Apple Silicon machine might be preferable, though that largely depends on your x86 needs and ability to meet them elsewhere.
And I understand the intoxicating draw of a good deal. Sometimes, though, I find that I’m more drawn to the deal (“how can this be so cheap?!”) then my need/desire for the thing being sold (hence how I ended up with a small server farm back in the early 2000’s — thanks, SlickDeals and Techbargains! 🤪) Since you asked to be talked off the ledge, I suspect there’s some part of you that might be drawn more to the deal then the thing. Food for thought. 🙂
If the trade off in portability doesn’t bother you (I personally don’t mind it), then I’d say definitely go for a 16” — the question then becomes whether you go Intel or Apple Silicon. Perhaps I missed it, but would you be replacing your 14” with the 16” or just adding the 16” to the mix?
I may be wrong, but I think you’ve shared how you’ve experienced some compatibility problems on Windows ARM via Parallels so an Intel-based Mac (assuming this is your only x86 chip in your house) could be a good fit for you. And if you decided to keep your 14” then you still have a portable, “modern” Mac for when you need it.
But if you’re planning on not keeping your 14”, then I wonder if going for a 16” Apple Silicon machine might be preferable, though that largely depends on your x86 needs and ability to meet them elsewhere.
And I understand the intoxicating draw of a good deal. Sometimes, though, I find that I’m more drawn to the deal (“how can this be so cheap?!”) then my need/desire for the thing being sold (hence how I ended up with a small server farm back in the early 2000’s — thanks, SlickDeals and Techbargains! 🤪) Since you asked to be talked off the ledge, I suspect there’s some part of you that might be drawn more to the deal then the thing. Food for thought. 🙂
The 16" Intel doesn't have a Butterfly keyboard so that's not a concern, though after having used the M1's keyboard I have to say I like that one more. I also prefer the 16" screen, though since I always run my Macs at their native screen resolution the 16" Intel provides only a tiny bit more screen space than a 14" M1.
No don't do it. You have a 14" MBP with ports, Magsafe and a screen a lot of people say is way superior to anything else and an M1 Pro or Max processor which pretty much wipes the floor with the older Intel plus a proper cooling system.
I have seen new 16" base models on sale for $1999 which means you could probably pick up a slightly used one with Apple care on Swappa for maybe a couple hundred more.
But honestly I just wouldn't do it. You won't get much if you sell your 14" with all the sales. And you would end up with a inferior IMHO laptop.
You probably have a windows laptop for when you need windows. That is going to give you a better experience on Windows anyway.
I found a Lenovo Yoga 16.2" on sale at Lenovo website for $1000 and if you enter your email address Lenovo will give you $50 off your oder. Has a 2.5k 100% srgb Dolby vision touchscreen, Intel 12700k, 1 tb ssd pci 4 and 16gb ram, Intel arc a370 dgpu. I think you have a Razer? Maybe you could sell that and get the Lenovo and get the bigger screen? It is no Razer or gaming laptop by any means but it might satisfy the need for a larger screen and give windows functionality and you can keep your M1 MBP for portability and everything else?
Unfortunately the ability to dual boot Windows and MacOS is behind us like it or not with Apple silicon and it is really hard to justify anyone selling a M1 MBP for an Intel model just for the screen when you gain so much with the M1 and redesign of what you already have.
I can send a link to the Lenovo but something tells me the Yoga might not be for you. Let me know if you are interested.
I have seen new 16" base models on sale for $1999 which means you could probably pick up a slightly used one with Apple care on Swappa for maybe a couple hundred more.
But honestly I just wouldn't do it. You won't get much if you sell your 14" with all the sales. And you would end up with a inferior IMHO laptop.
You probably have a windows laptop for when you need windows. That is going to give you a better experience on Windows anyway.
I found a Lenovo Yoga 16.2" on sale at Lenovo website for $1000 and if you enter your email address Lenovo will give you $50 off your oder. Has a 2.5k 100% srgb Dolby vision touchscreen, Intel 12700k, 1 tb ssd pci 4 and 16gb ram, Intel arc a370 dgpu. I think you have a Razer? Maybe you could sell that and get the Lenovo and get the bigger screen? It is no Razer or gaming laptop by any means but it might satisfy the need for a larger screen and give windows functionality and you can keep your M1 MBP for portability and everything else?
Unfortunately the ability to dual boot Windows and MacOS is behind us like it or not with Apple silicon and it is really hard to justify anyone selling a M1 MBP for an Intel model just for the screen when you gain so much with the M1 and redesign of what you already have.
I can send a link to the Lenovo but something tells me the Yoga might not be for you. Let me know if you are interested.
I struggled for years battling the noise of the 15"/i7 let alone a 16" with i9. One of the attractions of a Mac is the near silent operation. The Intel 16" was designers dream and a user's nightmare far too many issues and denial.
Thankfully Apple woke up with its own silicon, bringing back a sensible port solution and adequate thermal headroom for the lifecycle of the chassis.
Q-6
The 2019 Intel 16" MacBook Pro does not have the butterfly keyboard. The 2019 15" MacBook Pro that preceded it did, but the 2019 16" MacBook Pro did not. That model of 16" machine was Apple's first step towards undoing the utter nightmare that was the 2016-2019 13" and 15" MacBook Pros.
The ability to run x86-64 versions of Windows is powerful and a good reason to have an Intel Mac. One thing to bear in mind is that Apple seems cagey about releasing proper Windows 11 support for later-year Intel Macs for Boot Camp. You will have no trouble making a Windows 11 virtual machine, but Windows 10's days are numbered.
If the goal is to minimize computers, then this might be the right computer for you. However, you might have a better time with an M1 Pro MacBook Pro and a separate PC as that will likely entail greater longevity and support with the best of both platforms.
As a cost savings (one computer for both platforms), this machine makes sense. Though, again, you have compromises for both macOS (Intel Macs' days of support are numbered, and yes, thermals/performance-per-watt is always going to be noticeably worse on an Intel Mac laptop than an Apple Silicon Mac laptop) and Windows (no native-boot support for Windows 11 on a Mac that clearly has the hardware for it...at least not yet). That may or may not matter to you, though.
Once you install Bootcamp Win10 you can upgrade to Win11. I got even one unknown device getting driver on MBP15,1.
Amazing how much these are considered as horrible now that Apple is on their own processor technology. Back in 2019, no one was really complaining, the keyboard issue was specifically fixed on this model. Yes, it had thermal issues, but which Intel Mac didn't have thermal issues? Why do you think the chassis for Apple Silicon MacBooks are much thicker? Even Apple knows if they were to use the same chassis for the M1/M2 Pro/Max, they likely would experience the same thing.
Regarding this Mac, I have seen folks flooding Facebook marketplace in my neighborhood with this spec for like $600. Yes, their response is, they want M2. I would get one if I some how still needed Intel based apps or use it as secondary Windows 10 machine. At this point though, I would probably just save up and get M1 Pro 16 inch MacBook Pro. I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon has those at the same 1200 dollar price in the next few months.
Regarding this Mac, I have seen folks flooding Facebook marketplace in my neighborhood with this spec for like $600. Yes, their response is, they want M2. I would get one if I some how still needed Intel based apps or use it as secondary Windows 10 machine. At this point though, I would probably just save up and get M1 Pro 16 inch MacBook Pro. I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon has those at the same 1200 dollar price in the next few months.
The couple of times I tried, it told me I didn't meet system requirements (due to not having TPM 2.0 enabled). Unless you did it through a manual upgrade that sidestepped the check
On a forum predominantly occupied by hardcore Apple zealots, sure. Out in the wild? No. No one considers a MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) to be horrible. Not the best buy right now? Sure. But horrible? No. It's perfectly capable and, while it's not the fastest out there, it's far from horrible.
Uh...plenty of them? Plenty of Intel iMacs, plenty of Mac minis. I owned both a Mid 2012 non-retina 15-inch MacBook Pro as well as a Mid 2014 retina 15-inch MacBook Pro. Neither had thermal issues. Suddenly Apple Silicon comes out and every Intel Mac has thermal issues?
They were thicker because people kept complaining that they didn't care about thickness on a MacBook Pro. And people were right to do so. It's a professional notebook. You buy a MacBook Air for thin and light. You buy a MacBook Pro to get things done.
It's two generations behind. Apple products devalue. And you'll always have people desperate to have the latest and greatest even if what they have is passable.
There are two camps of 16-inch MacBook Pro purchasers. One bought it for the bigger screen because it's the only Mac laptop you can buy with a screen larger than 14-inches (and, at that time, 13-inches). Those folks don't care about Apple Silicon or M1 vs. M2 or Pro vs. Max. They literally bought it for the screen size. The other camp bought that Mac to get things done. Odds are decent that the things they bought that Mac for are are so much better on Apple Silicon that the upgrade was a no-brainer. Like you said, if Windows 10 or Boot Camp or any other x86-64 centric purpose is key, then this machine has its value. Otherwise, we are two revs newer and therefore, newer stuff is more desirable (and that is made all the more so) with the performance boost therein.
I don't think it's the hardware that makes this a questionable deal, but Apple's commitment to OS support for Intel going forward, or even whether third party software will start dropping Intel Macs soon. Apple haven't been shy about dropping 2 years of Intel MacBooks per OS since the transition kicked off. I don't know if that will continue this year (2017s almost certainly as the last MBP without a T2 chip, but 2018s too?) or if that's too much of a raw deal for them to pull off, but they're aggressively withholding features from the remaining Intel models and I think they're signalling it's only a matter of time before they just wash their hands of the last 2019-2020 releases.
My concern is bashing the 2019 MacBook Pro as an excuse to justify getting an Apple Silicon Mac seems kinda weak. What if Apple stayed with Intel? Would these same Apple users make similar complaints about a 2021 or 2023 Intel MacBook Pro? No!
I still use my 2015 Broadwell MacBook Pro and it gets the job done for light web browsing and Spotify.
Client at work bought off a MacBook Pro Early 2020 Intel model and set it up to do her work and they are having no problems. Installed Office, Citrix and couldn’t tell the difference from my M1 MBP. For most everyday users, Intel models are still more than capable.
Apple will of course artificially limit them with future revisions of macOS.
Agreed. It's still a perfectly good machine. Probably one of the better Intel Macs to get in 2023. Though, at this point, the only Macs I'd put on that list would be that Mac and the 2020 27-inch iMac.
Yeah, likely not. There might've been some jumps with 11th or 12th Gen H-series. But probably not anything remotely worth writing home about.
Pretty good machine (13-inch, right?). I have a soft spot for 'em.
Yeah, for Office and Citrix, you'd be hard pressed to find any differences there.
Not sure if artificially. Eventually, they're going to stop producing (publicly available) Intel releases of macOS. But I don't know if that's necessarily an artificial limit as much as a "we're picking now as the time to abandon Intel support" milestone. Am already sad for that day, but it is inevitable at this point.
Use this one. Select Auto upgrade after you click on windows 11 selection. Take a coffee and enjoy. Runs much smoother than win10.
GitHub - AveYo/MediaCreationTool.bat: Universal MCT wrapper script for all Windows 10/11 versions from 1507 to 21H2!
Universal MCT wrapper script for all Windows 10/11 versions from 1507 to 21H2! - AveYo/MediaCreationTool.bat
github.com