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This 16 inch Intel MacBook Pro stands out as a big, well built machine for Windows or Linux use, with a bright screen, full touchpad support in Windows, strong speakers and microphone, and enough RAM and a discrete Radeon Pro 5300M for demanding multitasking. It can also handle older Windows games and some engineering or CAD software that still needs Intel or Windows. The main drawbacks are heavy heat, loud fans, weak battery life, and slower performance than M series Macs. Refurbished units also draw caution, so warranty and return coverage matter.
Windows gamers needing a large laptop, because Boot Camp supports full touchpad drivers and the Intel chip runs Windows games well.
Linux users wanting a roomy workstation, because the Intel hardware should run Linux well and includes far more RAM than similarly priced alternatives.
For most single-core work, M1-series Macs are much faster, and M-series MacBook Pros also have better thermals, battery life, stability, and brighter displays. The 2019 16-inch still offers a larger chassis, 64GB RAM, and a discrete GPU, which makes it a different class of machine.
It can be a strong Intel-based Windows or Linux machine, especially because 2019 added a full multi-touch trackpad driver for Windows Boot Camp. It is also useful for gaming or Windows-only software, but Boot Camp is unavailable on M-series Macs and battery life/heat are weaker here.
Yes. It is repeatedly described as running extremely hot, with fans that can kick in early or keep running even after apps are closed. That heat can also increase wear on internal components and the battery.
The 5300M is not great for games, though it can handle older AAA titles better on an external 1080p display in Windows or Linux. For gaming, the heat and early fan ramp are major drawbacks, and a Windows laptop or Steam Deck may be better value.
These refurbished units may not have had meaningful refurbishment work done, so the safer approach is to rely on the seller's return policy and any warranty. That matters more here because the machine is already several years old.
Don't buy this. The laptop won't last long considering that: it has been running for 7 years, plus that it is refurbished. Additionally it is likely you don't need 64GB RAM.
And this particular model is notorious for running extremely hot -- like two Hobbits might throw a ring onto the keyboard kind of hot -- like Obi-Wan has the high ground kind of hot -- like Kirk's phasers being set to 'Shake n' Bake' kind of hot -- like Sean Evans asking you to be careful around your eyes kind of hot.
That heat is going to make excessive wear and tear to the internal components, especially the battery.
I haven't tried this, but from my understanding, you can run ARM-based Windows within emulation.
Parallels is a subscription, but VMware Fusion is now free (though future support may be limited given the nature of how VMware is currently operating).
I know this - Parallels has an exclusive connection to Parallels - but Parallels is subscription based and expensive. Initially when M1 came out - Windows for ARM wasn't really supported fully. Now with ARM based Windows laptops and tablets out in force - Windows for ARM is most likely going to be fully supported by MS. I want to Apple to make Bootcamp for M Series. I like my Macintosh - and being able to run Windows is huge for me. If you remember Bootcamp was much faster than VMs on Intel Macs. Bootcamp booted on it's on without MacOS overhead.
It's a shame that Apple didn't port Bootcamp to M series chips. If this happens then M Series over Intel ALL DAY. And I don't believe paying for subscription fees to Parallels is a good solution.
yeah, although honestly with the Intel macs, I only ever used bootcamp for gaming (basically when epic started to give away games during Covid).
Apple trackpad drivers were never good enough (for general use) on windows until 2019, when they finally added a full multi-touch driver.
I feel they would've actually had more people running Windows on Macbooks if they'd done that properly. Before the last driver was released, the touchpad experience was a woeful mess of various third-party hacks. For gaming it was fine though, as you almost always use a mouse.
I know this - Parallels has an exclusive connection to Parallels - but Parallels is subscription based and expensive. Initially when M1 came out - Windows for ARM wasn't really supported fully. Now with ARM based Windows laptops and tablets out in force - Windows for ARM is most likely going to be fully supported by MS. I want to Apple to make Bootcamp for M Series. I like my Macintosh - and being able to run Windows is huge for me. If you remember Bootcamp was much faster than VMs on Intel Macs. Bootcamp booted on it's on without MacOS overhead.
Yeah, you won't be getting native execution anytime soon -- but if you need something like Office365 Windows version for a specific feature, you're at least not left in the cold.
Oh goodness, no. None of these "refurbished" machines have anything done to them to actually refurbish them. They're garage sale finds (at best). You really need to lean on ebay's return policy + any warranty provided.
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I have this with an i9. And an M1 and an M4. The i9 still runs great. My daughter uses it as her daily machine for college now (after she dropped her HP laptop). I wasn't going to buy her another one 😀. This thing was a solid workhorse for me for 3 years before I gave it to her. She's been using it for a couple years with no issues. Yes, it's heavier than her previous machine, but no complaints about reliability or battery life.
Yeah, you won't be getting native execution anytime soon -- but if you need something like Office365 Windows version for a specific feature, you're at least not left in the cold.
So I'm an Engineer - A TON of SW packages run on Windows only. CAD-FEA-EDA-3D Modeling etc... I love using my Mac for productivity apps - and I use Apple's solutions - but have a license to Office - because. I just think having multiple options (and in the case of BC = free) makes the computer more versatile.
Another Dr W 'refurb' that's actually just a used laptop. Man can't list anything correctly.
This right here. "Garage Sale 2026" should be the title of the post.
Also, I received TWELVE messages from him on this thread (per sd's Notifications page) -- yet none of them showed up in this thread. Evaporated. Disappeared. No idea what he said either...he or someone else deleted them before they could be read.
Last edited by LavenderPickle7682 February 3, 2026 at 06:07 AM.
Love your posts, Dr W, but this one is not a good deal. I would advise everyone to not buy an Intel MacBook. Thermals are very bad and a 2020 MacBook Air, which runs for around $300 to $400 in the secondhand market, outperforms it in every metric. In addition, refurbished Intel Mac prices have been reaching the $200-300 range in recent months (see reebelo inventories).
Last edited by nomedigasnada February 3, 2026 at 08:58 AM.
i have this macbook. it sucks. the fan does not stop (you can close + force quit every app, the fan will still find a reason to run).
i want to upgrade to a m4 like all those $800 deals i've been seeing, but i can't justify for my light use
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Community Reviews
This 16 inch Intel MacBook Pro stands out as a big, well built machine for Windows or Linux use, with a bright screen, full touchpad support in Windows, strong speakers and microphone, and enough RAM and a discrete Radeon Pro 5300M for demanding multitasking. It can also handle older Windows games and some engineering or CAD software that still needs Intel or Windows. The main drawbacks are heavy heat, loud fans, weak battery life, and slower performance than M series Macs. Refurbished units also draw caution, so warranty and return coverage matter.
Windows gamers needing a large laptop, because Boot Camp supports full touchpad drivers and the Intel chip runs Windows games well.
Linux users wanting a roomy workstation, because the Intel hardware should run Linux well and includes far more RAM than similarly priced alternatives.
Engineers running Windows-only desktop software, because Boot Camp makes the machine versatile for CAD, FEA, EDA, and Office workflows.
Intel-dependent Mac users needing compatibility with older software, because it can run Windows natively and avoids M-series app limitations.
People who need quiet, cool laptop use, because the chassis runs extremely hot and the fan can stay on continuously.
Mac users who want fast everyday performance, because this Intel model is much slower than M-series machines for single-core work.
Gamers expecting smooth modern performance, because the 5300M struggles with games and there are better gaming laptops around this price.
Mobile workers who care about battery life, because battery life is abysmal compared with M-series Macs.
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That heat is going to make excessive wear and tear to the internal components, especially the battery.
Parallels is a subscription, but VMware Fusion is now free (though future support may be limited given the nature of how VMware is currently operating).
Apple trackpad drivers were never good enough (for general use) on windows until 2019, when they finally added a full multi-touch driver.
I feel they would've actually had more people running Windows on Macbooks if they'd done that properly. Before the last driver was released, the touchpad experience was a woeful mess of various third-party hacks. For gaming it was fine though, as you almost always use a mouse.
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Also, I received TWELVE messages from him on this thread (per sd's Notifications page) -- yet none of them showed up in this thread. Evaporated. Disappeared. No idea what he said either...he or someone else deleted them before they could be read.
i want to upgrade to a m4 like all those $800 deals i've been seeing, but i can't justify for my light use
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