Long-Term Review: MacBook Pro 13" (2016, Touch Bar) – Still a Hidden Gem in 2025
I’ve been using my MacBook Pro 13" (Late 2016 with Touch Bar and 4x Thunderbolt 3 ports) as my daily driver for the past 9 years, and I wanted to share my experience in 2025. In short: it’s aging far better than many people would expect — especially with a bit of care and tweaking.💰 Specs & Purchase
I bought this MacBook new in 2016 with the following configuration:- Intel Core i5 (2.9 GHz, Dual-Core)
- 32 GB RAM
- 1 TB SSD
Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
✅ Still Daily-Driver-Worthy in 2025
This MacBook still handles everyday tasks like a champ — from office work to creative software. It runs fast, cool, and stable.🔧 Maintenance & Care
Some things I believe helped extend its life:- Yearly thermal paste replacement after the warranty expired – I use Arctic MX-5, which has helped with heat management and performance.
- Original battery still installed. I’ve always charged it carefully — avoiding full charges, not leaving it plugged in all the time, and keeping usage cycles healthy.
👉 Even after 9 years, I still get around 3 hours of battery life under load, which is incredible.
🧩 macOS 15.4.1 Sequoia via OpenCore Legacy Patcher
Although official Apple support ended with macOS Ventura, I used OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) to install and run macOS Sequoia (15.4.1) – and it works flawlessly.All essential features work:
- iCloud
- Handoff / AirDrop
- Hardware acceleration
- Native performance – no weird crashes or instability
🎨 Performance in Demanding Applications
I regularly use:- Adobe After Effects
- Premiere Pro
- Photoshop
- CAD and 3D tools
🔌 Ports & Practicality
The 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports still hold up great in 2025. With the right adapters or a dock, I have everything I need: USB-A, HDMI, SD cards, external displays — no limitations.🏁 Conclusion: A Seriously Underrated Mac
If you're willing to maintain your hardware and don't mind using tools like OpenCore, the 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is still a perfectly capable and modern machine in 2025.It’s not for everyone, but for people who enjoy hands-on tech and want to extend the life of their investment, this MacBook is a hidden gem — and mine still has years of life ahead.
