Thoughts on buying a used MBP 2019 from OWC

[arkmannj]

MBP 2019 from OWC

I’m finally looking to upgrade my 2013 MBP. It still runs like a champ but is starting to lose support from software I use due to the OS limitations.

I’m looking at used/refurbished machines from OWC. Specifically the 16” i9 2019 MBP.

I really just need it to get me by for a couple of years so I can save up for a newer Apple Silicon machine. I need a machine newer than my current one, but I don’t need a brand new one. I’m focusing on getting out of debt and just need time to knock those goals out and save up.

Any thoughts on buying used from OWC?
or on the 2019 MBP in general ?

<edit>
==A few “needs” I have for a machine==
* Laptop

* At least 15” screen… these eyes aren’t getting any younger!

* At least ~512GB storage

* At least 16GB RAM

* Budget: about $1000 for this year. Planning to save ~$3000 over the next couple years to get a “new” machine, likely in 2026/2027.

</edit>

Thanks!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

It's basically over for Intel Macs already. Some question if the next macOS update will include Intel. Certainly many key features will NOT support Intel Macs even if it does.

Mac runs on about a 7-year schedule before it is "vintaged." 2025-2019 = 6 of 7 years. As Ferris Bueller might say, "It's over! Go home."

Yes you can install a third party hack (OCLP) to get beyond the arbitrary vintaging declaration by Apple but then you are trusting a third party hack in all kinds of ways, including security issues potentially facilitated by leaning on it.

If me and I only want Mac and only Mac, I pick up an extra job or extra hours and really pound away at it to save up whatever I need for Silicon now.

And if I don't need Mac and only Mac, I go PC for these "few years," where the same budget will generally buy a whole lot of PCs that do NOT involve (growing) towards 50% margins. Contrary to popular Apple fan spin, PC is not nearly as bad as often written. Vista is far behind PC. I picked up a little PC when I embraced Silicon for "old fashioned bootcamp" (in dedicated hardware) and have since found myself giving it more and more stuff to do (that could be done on Mac). Why? Because it can and because PC is focused on POWER over PPW. Power generally translates to getting the computing done faster so I'll burn what tends to actually be only a little more power to get to the destination a little faster than Mac can do it. It's the same when driving a car: push the pedal a little more, burn a little more gas and get to the destination faster. Or one might compare it to the power of a truck vs. the tremendous energy efficiency of a moped. Either can get you where you are going... but if I need to get a heavy load up the hill, one is obviously the better choice (even if it takes more energy to do it).

But that offered, OWC is a fine source of used Macs... particularly Intel ones where they often have some in-house ability to upgrade RAM and/or storage without requiring the hefty Apple premium. I've purchased MANY things from them over the last 15+ years and am pretty pleased with all of it.

And if the OCLP situation gives you pause, an Intel Mac can become a Windows PC via bootcamp any time you like, so you could buy and see if it gets some additional macOS support this year. If not, you could convert it to Windows and keep enjoying that hardware for several more years as an Apple-branded PC.

Getting out of debt is a fantastic pursuit. One of the fastest ways to achieve that is to cut off non-essential spending. If you think this is essential (and it probably is with a 2013 computer), consider all options to hold you over until later when you have saved up for Silicon.

Or maybe do some shopping for M1 or M2 Macs instead of going all the way back 6 years. As you step forward to newer generations you are buying more time until the arbitrary "vintaging."

I hope this is helpful.

 

[chrfr]

MBP 2019 from OWC

I’m finally looking to upgrade my 2013 MBP. It still runs like a champ but is starting to lose support from software I use due to the OS limitations.

I’m looking at used/refurbished machines from OWC. Specifically the 16” i9 2019 MBP.

I really just need it to get me by for a couple of years so I can save up for a newer Apple Silicon machine. I need a machine newer than my current one, but I don’t need a brand new one. I’m focusing on getting out of debt and just need time to knock those goals out and save up.

Any thoughts on buying used from OWC?
or on the i9 MBP in general ?

thanks!

You can get an M1 Air used for that much. I wouldn't buy any Intel Mac anymore.

 

[Snowlover]

If your focus is really primarily on getting out of debt, I would do windows bootcamp for the software that is losing support.
As hobesounddarryl said , windows 11 is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. Use rufus on a windows machine to create usb installer that bypasses all tpm etc requirements. Use bootcamp to download drivers for your mac.
Edit: or maybe windows in a vm for that software if you don't want to bootcamp.