MacBook Pro 2016 in 2019

[Adazonk]

Any users of the 2016 13” MacBook Pro base model. Got an option to pick one up cheap and wondering if it’s a good value proposition in 2019.

Usage wise I’d be looking to do more training in front end development, VS code, Xcode etc and just daily use.

 

[Falhófnir]

Bear in mind 2016s are the worst affected by keyboard failures and flexgate (display flex cable failure) - and to top it off they are coming up to their last year of keyboard support which, unless Apple extends the programme (they might do, they might not) means you're going to be looking at paying $700 for a top case each time you get a stuck or repeating key. I guess if its cheap enough you're not concerned by the risk, it could still be an ok grab? But if the above could be an issue for you I'd steer well clear.

 

[burgman]

If it’s new you will have a four year keyboard warranty for free, not bad. If used the keyboard warranty program started at first sale date. Machine will do fine not the latest and greatest but will do the job.

 

[Adazonk]

Bear in mind 2016s are the worst affected by keyboard failures and flexgate (display flex cable failure) - and to top it off they are coming up to their last year of keyboard support which, unless Apple extends the programme (they might do, they might not) means you're going to be looking at paying $700 for a top case each time you get a stuck or repeating key. I guess if its cheap enough you're not concerned by the risk, it could still be an ok grab? But if the above could be an issue for you I'd steer well clear.

The machine is £700 ~$890, I’m aware of the keyboard issues but I didn’t think that was specific to the 2016 and more a general problem with the 4th gen model MacBook Pro’s?

Flex gate concerns me, it is an open box item from the stock room. Apple warranty has expired as it was registered then returned and appears to have been sitting in the stock room for well over a year. I should get the retailers 2 year warranty though.
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Machine will do fine not the latest and greatest but will do the job.

This is my biggest question really, I know it’s not going to match current CPU’s in performance but should still last a few years for my needs? Don’t want to be obsolete in 2 years.

 

[Falhófnir]

The machine is £700 ~$890, I’m aware of the keyboard issues but I didn’t think that was specific to the 2016 and more a general problem with the 4th gen model MacBook Pro’s?

Flex gate concerns me, it is an open box item from the stock room. Apple warranty has expired as it was registered then returned and appears to have been sitting in the stock room for well over a year. I should get the retailers 2 year warranty though.
[doublepost=1561377740][/doublepost]

This is my biggest question really, I know it’s not going to match current CPU’s in performance but should still last a few years for my needs? Don’t want to be obsolete in 2 years.

You're right it's not specific to the 2016, but the 2017s had a small tweak to the KB which maybe helped a little with the failure rate, then again with the 2018 and 2019s. I think if you take it in, they will replace the 2016 KB with the 2017 one (the 2018 and 2019 are apparently incompatible despite being near identical) but just to be aware the '16 models were the worst affected. Flexgate, again, addressed in the 2018 (at least in as much as the ribbon cable was made longer) I'm not sure if you'd get this fix by default if you had to have the display assembly replaced (I would assume so?) Luckily your model is (the only one for some reason, despite all of them being affected) on a repair programme for this as well.

Known hardware issues aside, seems like a pretty good deal for this model, particularly as the 2016 came with the 256GB storage standard, which was made an upgrade for the 2017 model. I guess you're out of luck on Apple care, though often Apple are pretty good. Is the retailer John Lewis? If so that would definitely make me feel a lot better as they are usually good with repair or replacing an item that malfunctions.

 

[Adazonk]

You're right it's not specific to the 2016, but the 2017s had a small tweak to the KB which maybe helped a little with the failure rate, then again with the 2018 and 2019s. I think if you take it in, they will replace the 2016 KB with the 2017 one (the 2018 and 2019 are apparently incompatible despite being near identical) but just to be aware the '16 models were the worst affected. Flexgate, again, addressed in the 2018 (at least in as much as the ribbon cable was made longer) I'm not sure if you'd get this fix by default if you had to have the display assembly replaced (I would assume so?) Luckily your model is (the only one for some reason, despite all of them being affected) on a repair programme for this as well.

Known hardware issues aside, seems like a pretty good deal for this model, particularly as the 2016 came with the 256GB storage standard, which was made an upgrade for the 2017 model. I guess you're out of luck on Apple care, though often Apple are pretty good. Is the retailer John Lewis? If so that would definitely make me feel a lot better as they are usually good with repair or replacing an item that malfunctions.

It is John Lewis which I too find more comforting. Do you know if when a replacement program is running, you can just request the change is made, or do you have to encounter the issue?

Could I for example just buy this and take it in under the ribbon cable and keyboard replacement programs straight away?

 

[Falhófnir]

It is John Lewis which I too find more comforting. Do you know if when a replacement program is running, you can just request the change is made, or do you have to encounter the issue?

Could I for example just buy this and take it in under the ribbon cable and keyboard replacement programs straight away?

I don't know for sure, I would assume you have to be experiencing symptoms of the issue before they would do the replacement for you.

 

[cambookpro]

It is John Lewis which I too find more comforting. Do you know if when a replacement program is running, you can just request the change is made, or do you have to encounter the issue?

Could I for example just buy this and take it in under the ribbon cable and keyboard replacement programs straight away?

You have to be experiencing issues - it's Apple who run the replacement programme, but it doesn't matter where it was originally purchased. I've had the keyboard replaced in my 2016. Other than that, it still serves me very well (base model with upgraded storage). I use it for Xcode, Photoshop, occasional motion graphics work. It's not the fastest in the world but works fine.

Would JL's warranty have expired by now? I think it is transferrable, but only lasts two years.

 

[Adazonk]

You have to be experiencing issues - it's Apple who run the replacement programme, but it doesn't matter where it was originally purchased. I've had the keyboard replaced in my 2016. Other than that, it still serves me very well (base model with upgraded storage). I use it for Xcode, Photoshop, occasional motion graphics work. It's not the fastest in the world but works fine.

Would JL's warranty have expired by now? I think it is transferrable, but only lasts two years.

As I am buying from them, they provide a 2 year warranty at point of sale.
Reassuring to hear it’s serving you well, I was about to pull the trigger on a 2019 for £1540 but this option came up for less than half the price. Seems a no brainier.

 

[cambookpro]

As I am buying from them, they provide a 2 year warranty at point of sale.
Reassuring to hear it’s serving you well, I was about to pull the trigger on a 2019 for £1540 but this option came up for less than half the price. Seems a no brainier.

Ah sorry, thought you were buying second hand.

For £700 and a two-year warranty, plus being covered by Apple's repair programmes, it's a steal.