Anyone return a 16 inch MBP M5 Pro with 64GB? Why?

[rb2112]

I have a 16 inch Macbook Pro M1 base model. My eyes fare well with this larger display.
I was considering getting a new model from the refurb store, specs: M5 Pro / 1 TB SSD / 48 or 64GB RAM .

Benefits. It would run my simulations about 80% faster (slightly helpful) and fit / run appropriate LLMs. (which I now do at home and can remote back home if I have a connection.). Export audio faster. Slightly more SSD but I keep most external.
Cost. With my discounts it is about $2,750 or $3,050, so after taxes & M1 resale it would probably cost $2,300 or $2,600.

Well, these spec models are in the refurb store, so someone must have not liked them. Why not? Has anyone bought and returned one of these? What was your reason? Cost? Performance? SSD too small? Something better suit you? Thanks in advance.

 

[AeroSatan]

In my experience, unless the unit is permanently tethered to an external display, a lot of people find the 16' versions too cumbersome. Even to me, even though it's just two inches and Im not a small guy, the 16 inch machine I would never want to lug around. And If I'm getting something powerful that's connected to a display anyway I'm getting a Mac Studio.

 

[outlawarth]

Let me just chime in with my .02 cents regarding the size. Years ago I thought I would regret getting the 16" but now I can't imagine using anything smaller (Maybe it helps that I am 6'4).

The beauty of the screen and the real estate far outweigh any weight inconveniences. It's one of the most robust and beautiful machines I have ever owned. I have travelled with it through Europe and elsewhere without once wishing for something smaller.

As far as Apple Refurb Store. They have all kinds of configurations popping in and out of stock all the time. There is no rhyme or reason why people return these things. I have never had a bad experience purchasing from Apple refurb.

 

[UltraAppleFan]

i have a 14inch MBP mainly because the 16 inch was too expensive for me. But, when looking at them in store, yes they are bigger, but not as bad as everyone makes them out to be. I would have needed to get a new backback to fit it in but if price wasnt an issue i would have gotten the 16 inch

 

[rb2112]

i have a 14inch MBP mainly because the 16 inch was too expensive for me. But, when looking at them in store, yes they are bigger, but not as bad as everyone makes them out to be. I would have needed to get a new backback to fit it in but if price wasnt an issue i would have gotten the 16 inch

I found that my M1 16 inch fit in a bookbag I already had, a Solo New York Hybrid Briefcase Backpack. It stacks in the same slot as my external 16 inch monitor (in it's slipcase) and has room for my travel printer, notepad (barely) & pencil pouch, noise canceling headphones and cables and such.

You have to expect you're going to work with the setup, not like "I'm just carrying a MBA around in my hand". I like this particular bag because I use the backpack straps so that the total package, which weighs a lot, is easily carried around the building and to/from transport.

It's the price of the M5 that is getting me thinking, a few hundred off for refurb and a few hundred off for my discount, plus reselling the M1 MBP. Makes it closer to consider.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Traveling with my 16' MBP is not fun. But every time I open the screen - I couldn't imagine using anything smaller. So depends on which you value more. Since I travel very infrequently - my 16' MBP stays clamshell to an ASD most of the time.

I've never had a problem with Apple Refurb (bought and used 2-3 over the years) - they've been immaculate. I highly recommend them.

 

[bniu]

I was set on my config, M5 Pro, 64GB ram, 2TB SSD, my only choice was 14" or 16". Coming off of a 2019 16" Intel MBP, I already felt that thing was a bit unwieldy and since I'm looking at the same performance and long term clamshell mode use, I figured 14" would serve me better. I also have a 14" M4 based MBP for work, and it's already heavy enough, so ultimately I didn't want anything heavier.

Note that if you're going for a Max chip or pushing the fans hard, then a 16" may be better as it has superior thermals, but I don't do anything that even comes close to pushing the limits, so it's not really something I'm concerned about. I previously only ever got the largest MBP in the intel era because of performance differences, but now it's not an issue.

 

[benholt]

Refurb clusters like this often say less about the machine and more about buyer intent — Pro/64GB is a niche config, most people who ordered it had a specific workflow in mind (LLMs, virtualization, big video projects). If that workflow doesn't pan out inside 14 days, the box goes back. That's why the same spec keeps cycling in and out.

For your use case — LLMs plus simulations — I'll note from the M3 Max 64GB side that I can keep a 34B model warm alongside browser and an editor without dipping into swap. 48GB and I'd be unloading between chats. What'll bite you before RAM does on the Pro is memory bandwidth — narrower bus than Max — so if your simulations are memory-bound rather than compute-bound, that's the ceiling to actually check.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I've a 2023 M2 Max and this 16" has almost identical dimensions to the 15" C2D that it replaced. My use case also didn't change, whereby it spends its time almost exclusively inside.

I did get 64GB as I keep my devices for ever (and a day), over specced, perhaps. No video stuff but Capture One is blazingly fast and fans really only come on for video conversions. There's so many reasons why MacBooks end up on the refurb store.

 

[whitby]

I have a 16" M1 Max MBPro with 64GB and 4TB and it never leaves the house now. It is just too large and heavy. My goto travel machine is a 14" M5 MBPro with 24GB and 1TB and I have, currently, 2 'coffee table' machine, a 13.6" M5 MBA with 16GB and 512GB and a Neo with 8GB and 512GB (both specified for 'light' use).

My 16" is like my upstairs desktop machine (downstairs I have an M4 Pro Mini with 64GB and 2TB (and an external 4TB TB5 drive bought when SSDs were a reasonable price) with 2 27" 5K monitor). So for me the big issue is the 16"s weight and size for travel use. The 14" M4 is a great machine with all ports and an SD card slot which is useful for my photography work.

If you do not intend to travel with it, and want a powerful movable 'desktop' machine, the 16" is a power house which will suite you admirably. If, however, you are often on the move, but you want the power (in terms of processor options, memory and SSD), ports and screen of the MBPro, I think the 14" is the better choice. Next time around (if there is a next time given the rising costs of these machines) I think I will be trading in my 16" for a 14" with 4TB (at the moment internal storage is cheaper than external) and 32GB which will work well for me.

 

[StrollerEd]

I had the 16in M1Max MBP (32GB) and have just upgraded to the 16in M5Pro (48GB). True, it's a luggable but it is my home machine, the equivalent of a desktop which I have occasion to move from one room to another. If there were an 18inch, I'd be tempted.

I rarely take it out of the house, but have done for longer stays away. My 'portable' is a second-hand (& well-looked after) 13in M2 MBA (16GB) for those days-out or short stays. Of course, that is obviously a lesser machine but does well for most purposes and is so very much better suited when travelling.

 

[Harddrive]

All my laptops have been 15 inch until I purchased a new MBP 16 which I can not tell the difference in size or weight to be honest and my year old HP Omnibook X which is lighter than the old Dell XPS it replaced and it is also a 16. If I feel I need to pack around something smaller the my iPad Pro 11 inch fits the situation. My MBP 16 M3 has not let me down so felt no need to upgrade but I did get 36gb of ram upon purchase.

 

[chrono1081]

I know a few people who bought 16 inch and returned it. It has nothing to do with specs and everything to do with size/portability. It's a thick, clunky machine.

I usually don't recommend them to people unless they really really want that larger screen or if it's going to be on a desk most of the time and not traveling around.

Gorgeous machines, I'd love to have one, but just too much bulk for how much I travel with my computers.

 

[StrollerEd]

I know a few people who bought 16 inch and returned it. It has nothing to do with specs and everything to do with size/portability. It's a thick, clunky machine.

I usually don't recommend them to people unless they really really want that larger screen or if it's going to be on a desk most of the time and not traveling around.

Gorgeous machines, I'd love to have one, but just too much bulk for how much I travel with my computers.

I'd describe it as chunky! But definitely gorgeous 🙂

It feels like a proper computer 😉

 

[Harddrive]

The advantages of the 16 runs cooler longer and screen real estate for older eyes speakers sound better to my ears.
The advantage of a 14 500 grams lighter and smaller dimensions.
The 16 overlayed on top of my 15 is barely noticeable so it is what you are use to I packed that 15 everywhere so the 16 feels the same to me.

 

[WhitneyRochall]

i have a 14inch MBP mainly because the 16 inch was too expensive for me. But, when looking at them in store, yes they are bigger, but not as bad as everyone makes them out to be. I would have needed to get a new backback to fit it in but if price wasnt an issue i would have gotten the 16 inch

Totally fair. The 14 is way easier to carry and fits anywhere, which is why most people pick it.Are you happy with the 14"inch now or still eyeing the 16"?

 

[Sosab123]

The 14" is too close to the 13" iPad Pro. So I prefer the 16" cause its more proportionate in size when transitioning from iPad Pro to Macbook Pro.

 

[rb2112]

Thanks to all. I am definitely okay with the size, I have an "office" backpack that fits all my stuff. I see from a lot of the comments that may be why this model is returned. Thanks to those also sharing their experiences with the refurb store.

In the spirit of not buying tech I don't need (especially this year!) I have decided to keep my M1 MBP 16 and just remote home for any LLMs. There...saved $3,000.

I'll probably post my bag setup in the "macbook cases" section when I get a moment.

 

[Harddrive]

Thanks to all. I am definitely okay with the size, I have an "office" backpack that fits all my stuff. I see from a lot of the comments that may be why this model is returned. Thanks to those also sharing their experiences with the refurb store.

In the spirit of not buying tech I don't need (especially this year!) I have decided to keep my M1 MBP 16 and just remote home for any LLMs. There...saved $3,000.

I'll probably post my bag setup in the "macbook cases" section when I get a moment.

To be honest the M1 is still a powerhouse unless you are doing things where a minute or two will make you more money.

 

[StrollerEd]

I agree about the continuing value of the 16inch M1 MBP. I'm cascading that to a relative to enable her to upgrade from the mid-2015 15inch MBP - another that earnt its keep 😉