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Adenitz

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 29, 2021
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Hello, I have noticed quite a deals (up to 500 USD) on selected Macbook pros 16inch 2019 models. I wonder if it is worth it to buy one?

What is your opinion? Max budget is about 1800 USD.
 
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Unless you want to run bootcamp or have a specific need for the dedicated GPU, I would avoid the Intel models.
Why? I have an M1 MacBook Pro 13" and really wanted to upgrade to the new model because I want a 16" screen.

I really like the Touch Bar and was bummed to see Apple didn't include it with there new models.

With all that being said am I out of out of my mind considering picking up a 2019 16" Intel? Am I going completely backwards with what I have now? I see Best Buy has some open boxed models for around $1550.
 
Why? I have an M1 MacBook Pro 13" and really wanted to upgrade to the new model because I want a 16" screen.

I really like the Touch Bar and was bummed to see Apple didn't include it with there new models.

With all that being said am I out of out of my mind considering picking up a 2019 16" Intel? Am I going completely backwards with what I have now? I see Best Buy has some open boxed models for around $1550.
Yes, you are out of your mind. Just check the "hot and noisy" thread in this forum. They're in there rejoicing because Apple added a low-power mode to Monterey and they can finally do basic tasks without the fans going full tilt. I had one for a year and dumped it for an M1 Air to hold me over until the M1 16" came out. Best decision I ever made. Simply put the Intel 16" is a lemon.
 
Yes, you are out of your mind. Just check the "hot and noisy" thread in this forum. They're in there rejoicing because Apple added a low-power mode to Monterey and they can finally do basic tasks without the fans going full tilt. I had one for a year and dumped it for an M1 Air to hold me over until the M1 16" came out. Best decision I ever made. Simply put the Intel 16" is a lemon.
Well bummer...... I guess I have a choice to make now stick with the 13" M1 or deal without the Touch Bar and get the new 16" M1. I know a lot of people could deal without the Touch Bar or dislike it, but it's one feature I really like.

I appreciate your info and thank you!
 
yeah avoid the 16" MBP. I had one and had overheating issues just trying to run an external monitor.
 
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Why? I have an M1 MacBook Pro 13" and really wanted to upgrade to the new model because I want a 16" screen.

I really like the Touch Bar and was bummed to see Apple didn't include it with there new models.

With all that being said am I out of out of my mind considering picking up a 2019 16" Intel? Am I going completely backwards with what I have now? I see Best Buy has some open boxed models for around $1550.
Yes, you are out of your mind. There probably hasn't been a bigger leap forward in performance on a cpu in 15+ years, or maybe ever in the history of laptops.

Buying an intel 16" right now that runs insanely hot all the time while you can buy a cool running M1 model that runs as fast as $15,000 mac pros would be silly.
 
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Retailers are going to be unloading these as fast as they can on Black Friday. Non-savvy deal-hunters are going to blinded by the $$$ OFF!! stickers and rush to buy them. As usual, those that can afford the least get the worst deals, unfortunately.
 
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I'm using a 2019 16" Macbook Pro, and I've been happy with it. I haven't tried to connect it to an external monitor, and I don't push it all that hard. The fan comes on occasionally, but hasn't been a big deal for me. I have a basic model, without the Raydeon gpu. I admit, I've been considering upgrading to the current 16" M1 pro, but really my 2019 16" works fine.

On the other hand, it looks like Apple is discontinuing the touch bar, so you'll probably have to deal with losing it eventually. Or perhaps you could use the 13" pro with an external monitor?

---Correction---
As mouthster pointed out, the base model 2019 16" MacBook pro does have a Raydeon GPU. My mistake.
 
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Why? I have an M1 MacBook Pro 13" and really wanted to upgrade to the new model because I want a 16" screen.

I really like the Touch Bar and was bummed to see Apple didn't include it with there new models.

With all that being said am I out of out of my mind considering picking up a 2019 16" Intel? Am I going completely backwards with what I have now? I see Best Buy has some open boxed models for around $1550.
Curious, what is it about the touch bar that you like so much?
 
Curious, what is it about the touch bar that you like so much?
Auto-correct, Auto-fill capability, skipping through Youtube adds and just the quick selections you can use when in notes and pages to name a few.
 
I don't think it would necessarily be unreasonable to buy the 2019 16". It is considerably cheaper than the M1 16", and it is probably the last 16" model that will have the touch bar. People have reported problems connecting it to an external monitor, and I recommend checking out the thread on the subject linked below. If I understand correctly, it's only a problem in those units with a gpu, and Monterey may have addressed it.

I have a 2019 16" myself, and while the M1 16" would be an upgrade for me (as I don't personally care about the touch bar), it works just fine for my needs.

 
If you buy it, get Applecare+ for it. A family member had the logic board fail twice (yes, really) and didn't have AC+.
 
On the other hand, I just ran across another thread of people having trouble with typing on the 16" Intel MacBook pro. I haven't had these problems myself, but it seems to be something to be aware of.

 
I'm using a 2019 16" Macbook Pro, and I've been happy with it. I haven't tried to connect it to an external monitor, and I don't push it all that hard. The fan comes on occasionally, but hasn't been a big deal for me. I have a basic model, without the Raydeon gpu. I admit, I've been considering upgrading to the current 16" M1 pro, but really my 2019 16" works fine.

On the other hand, it looks like Apple is discontinuing the touch bar, so you'll probably have to deal with losing it eventually. Or perhaps you could use the 13" pro with an external monitor?
You most certainly do have a Radeon GPU, but if you haven't hooked it up to an external monitor or used software that pushes for more GPU power your Mac will use the Intel 630 UHD.
 
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I've got the base model 16" Intel and it's been fine.

That said, I bought it used at a fair discount, with AppleCare. I figure I'll use it for a few years and then jump to the second or third gen Apple Silicon 16".
 
If you want one of these go used. I just traded mine (16" / i7 / 16gb RAM, 512gb SSD) to Apple in perfect condition for $1210. I would have sold if for about that to anyone that was interested, but no-one called so back to Apple it went.

They are still amazing and powerful machines, but unless you need BootCamp or the bigger screen then the 13" M1 MacBook Pro/Air will serve you better and longer.
 
If you want one of these go used. I just traded mine (16" / i7 / 16gb RAM, 512gb SSD) to Apple in perfect condition for $1210. I would have sold if for about that to anyone that was interested, but no-one called so back to Apple it went.

They are still amazing and powerful machines, but unless you need BootCamp or the bigger screen then the 13" M1 MacBook Pro/Air will serve you better and longer.
Ha ya, right now Apple trade-ins may make more sense than ever since most knowledgeable people will buy M1 variants instead.

A lot of used Apple stuff sells for too much on the used market place because unsavvy buyers just see 'macbook' and barely understand what year it is, let alone the cpu.
 
If you want one of these go used. I just traded mine (16" / i7 / 16gb RAM, 512gb SSD) to Apple in perfect condition for $1210. I would have sold if for about that to anyone that was interested, but no-one called so back to Apple it went.

They are still amazing and powerful machines, but unless you need BootCamp or the bigger screen then the 13" M1 MacBook Pro/Air will serve you better and longer.
That is bonkers. I just sold my 2018 15” which had the butterfly keyboard and a slower GPU and after fees and shipping netted around $1000. You probably could have gotten a decent amount more on eBay or the like
 
Why? I have an M1 MacBook Pro 13" and really wanted to upgrade to the new model because I want a 16" screen.

I really like the Touch Bar and was bummed to see Apple didn't include it with there new models.

With all that being said am I out of out of my mind considering picking up a 2019 16" Intel? Am I going completely backwards with what I have now? I see Best Buy has some open boxed models for around $1550.
Yeah, you are crazy. That fan is so loud and comes on from editing a still photo. It’s slower and pretty much suck. I m so glad I sold it and got a Max.
 
Ha ya, right now Apple trade-ins may make more sense than ever since most knowledgeable people will buy M1 variants instead.

A lot of used Apple stuff sells for too much on the used market place because unsavvy buyers just see 'macbook' and barely understand what year it is, let alone the cpu.

Yes. It's my first time doing a trade vs. selling. I generally sell locally to tech savvy buyers who know a deal when they see it because I look after my machines. Most tech-savvy folks won't buy an Intel at this time unless they have a specific need for one (e.g. Boot Camp or Windows VM).

That is bonkers. I just sold my 2018 15” which had the butterfly keyboard and a slower GPU and after fees and shipping netted around $1000. You probably could have gotten a decent amount more on eBay or the like

I know. I think my issue was that I had it on Craigslist which is where I sold all my old MacBooks. I normally get interest pretty quickly and then a sale. After a week of literally no responses and Apple's trade-in window fast closing, I just sent it in. (That was a nightmare too - but that is for another thread....)

I know I could have gotten more - the trade price stung a bit, but I wasn't offended by it. I didn't try FB marketplace and eBay is too much hassle. But honestly after a couple of days with the M1 Pro I knew that was the future. The Intel 16" felt hot, noisy and a bit laggy. These Apple Silicon laptops are truly next generation.
 
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Hello, I have noticed quite a deals (up to 500 USD) on selected Macbook pros 16inch 2019 models. I wonder if it is worth it to buy one?

What is your opinion? Max budget is about 1800 USD.
Stay the f*ck away from this with a 10ft pole.

I have a custom 16" 2019 2.3GHz, 32GB, 1TB, 5500M 8GB MBP and I am dumping it as soon as I get my 14"

It runs hot, fans kick on like jet engines for even basic tasks, and battery life is poopy.

If you're already $1800 in you might as well ante up a bit more and get the 14" (use the education discount). It blows the intel crap out the water.

Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $1400 for that 2 year old 16".
 
Unless you want to run bootcamp or have a specific need for the dedicated GPU, I would avoid the Intel models.

100% this.

If you have intel-specific workloads, snap one up. They're still the fastest portable intel machine you'll find that runs macOS apps.

However. If you aren't tied to bootcamp or some other non-rosetta compatible app then put a little more money aside for an M1 Pro based machine.

It really depends on what you need. If you're not tied to intel - steer clear! They're nowhere near as quiet, performant, long lived on battery, etc. And you can bet that intel support will be dropped entirely within 4-5 years by Apple just like PPC was.
 
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