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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.
Wow, I mean, this is a great deal for someone that needs a big, well built Intel computer. In 2019, Apple finally released a full touchpad driver for Windows bootcamp, so this thing makes a great windows machine with a beautiful screen. Should run Linux really well too. The fan could be annoying on this (I had the i9 and it was really annoying) but a bunch of utilities came out that helped stop it. Anyone wanting to run MacOS should get an M series, but if you want to run anything else ... it would be a great general purpose computer, especially with all of the RAM. During Covid mine was great for playing games in Windows like all the Tomb Raiders and Cities Skylines series.
The only concern would be battery life and the quality of any replacement (if replaced)
Last edited by ElatedSpaniel543 February 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
The M1 (even like an M1 Air) is going to be nearly twice as fast for most single-core work (ie, basically everything you care about).
Completely irrelevant to compare just the processor, when there's a plethora of other things to consider. The M1 you're considering only comes in the MBA with 13" display at this price, while this is the 16", so totally different classes of laptop, to begin with. MBA with M1 only comes with 8GB RAM around this price while this has 8x the RAM of that, and that RAM alone would be more the price of this laptop. And on top of that, this has a dGPU, while the MBA would share it with the 8GB RAM it comes with.
The M1 Pro you compared this with costs around $600+ and that too with only 16GB RAM; that's $200+ more than this.
A processor alone doesn't make the laptop.
Wow, I mean, this is a great deal for someone that needs a big, well built Intel computer. In 2019, Apple finally released a full touchpad driver for Windows bootcamp, so this thing makes a great windows machine with a beautiful screen. Should run Linux really well too. The fan could be annoying on this (I had the i9 and it was really annoying) but a bunch of utilities came out that helped stop it. Anyone wanting to run MacOS should get an M series, but if you want to run anything else ... it would be a great general purpose computer, especially with all of the RAM. During Covid mine was great for playing games in Windows like all the Tomb Raiders and Cities Skylines series.
The only concern would be battery life and the quality of any replacement (if replaced)
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.
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The M1 (even like an M1 Air) is going to be nearly twice as fast for most single-core work (ie, basically everything you care about).
This right here -- I have the same 16" Pro (but with 16gb ram), and it's awful. It's genuinely one of the worst apple machines I've owned.
The good:
- The butterfly keyboard issue is resolved in this model (and moving forward). The older butterfly keyboard had super low travel, felt like you were typing on concrete, and could break a key if so much as a speck of dust got under the keycap. No joke. It was awful, and many people delayed buying a Macbook because of it. This mac fixes that problem (amazing how a "good" is simply "doesn't have a problem the previous model had"!).
- The audio is genuinely top notch. I can use the internal speakers and microphone as a replacement for higher tier external ones, and I lose very little in the process. They're that good (and this is a trend continued through the M-series 16" Macbook Pro models).
The bad:
- It's slow compared to the M1 Air. Like nearly half the speed. It's figuratively "night and day".
- It's a space heater. Just idling, it puts out a LOT of heat. Great in the winter though if you have cold hands!
- Battery life is abysmal on its own....and compared to the M1 Air, it's insultingly bad.
- It stutters. I've never had a mac NOT be silky smooth in the normal UI before this (unless I was REALLY pushing the machine), but this one stutters randomly under no load.
- It crashes. Yes. I had significantly more crashes EACH MONTH on this machine than I had in 7 years total on a 2013 15" Macbook Pro. And I didn't treat that 2013 MBP nicely either. Guess what, THE 2013 MBP STILL WORKS.
And the ugly:
- As soon as the M1 came out, the older machines lost their resale value overnight. Yes, today we accept that Macs don't resell for large sums of cash, but this was the first time in something like ~15 years where you couldn't recoup a nice chunk of your original purchase price through reselling/trading it in.
My 2 cents: I would NOT buy one of these machines at ANY price. Take your budget, and put it towards literally any M1 Air or M1 Pro/Max. You'll get a better machine. The only way I'd suggest one of these is if you know without a doubt you need an Intel-based mac for your unique circumstances (such as software that's incompatible on the M1).
Last edited by LavenderPickle7682 February 2, 2026 at 10:41 AM.
Completely irrelevant to compare just the processor, when there's a plethora of other things to consider. The M1 you're considering only comes in the MBA with 13" display at this price, while this is the 16", so totally different classes of laptop, to begin with. MBA with M1 only comes with 8GB RAM around this price while this has 8x the RAM of that, and that RAM alone would be more the price of this laptop. And on top of that, this has a dGPU, while the MBA would share it with the 8GB RAM it comes with.
The M1 Pro you compared this with costs around $600+ and that too with only 16GB RAM; that's $200+ more than this.
A processor alone doesn't make the laptop.
The M1 Air can be configured with 8gb or 16gb of ram. (Proof: I'm typing on a M1 Air with 16gb ram as we speak!)
The processor change made such a massive difference -- thermals, system stability, power draw, battery efficiency, etc.
It's very clear you haven't used either machine in the slightest, since if you have, you would know just how meaningful of the change this was in the lineup of Macbooks. You didn't even know how much ram the M1 Air could have. Please don't spread misinformation.
Last edited by LavenderPickle7682 February 2, 2026 at 10:59 AM.
I have this with i9, heavy and slow ...yes 16" retina is a plus...but i would take 14" M4 any day (ofcourse depending on config)
Plus any 14" or 16" M-series Macbook Pro has a significantly higher quality screen in it than the 2019 MBP (XDR? I forget the marketing name for it). I'd happily give up 2" of screen real-estate for that extra-bright display.
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.
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).
Would this be okay for gaming (running linux or windows)? Like running one of those gaming linux distros on it..., or is there better hardware for the money for that?
Would this be okay for gaming (running linux or windows)? Like running one of those gaming linux distros on it..., or is there better hardware for the money for that?
Unfortunately, even the most current Macs are somewhat average running games. This older one isn't very good either. Unless you are playing relatively low-end games, you'd probably be better served with a Windows machine.
Another option would be looking at Valve's Steam Deck handheld. It's a custom OS sitting on top of a Linux install, and it's pretty amazing for the price. You have a LOT of control over how you can use it, and it interfaces well with monitors/TVs/keyboards/mice/etc through a dock/port extender. It's not a massively powerful handheld compared to most desktops with a dedicated multi-hundred dollar GPU...but I've found very few people to be unhappy with the Steam Deck. It even runs mildly taxing games pretty acceptably, which is amazing for how optimized the system is.
Last edited by LavenderPickle7682 February 2, 2026 at 11:22 AM.
Would this be okay for gaming (running linux or windows)? Like running one of those gaming linux distros on it..., or is there better hardware for the money for that?
This thing has a 5300M which is not that great for games (5500M versions much better)
Paired with an external 1080p screen, it would be ok for older games (AAA games before 2019) in windows or Linux.
But the heat problems with this laptop are the issue, the CPU fans kick in very early. The body is thinner that current M series and yet the processor is way less heat efficient.
There are way better gaming laptops for $400 out there. Build quality and screen won't be as nice, but games wilL run smoother.
Last edited by ElatedSpaniel543 February 2, 2026 at 11:25 AM.
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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.
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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.
Common Questions (5)
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.
AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago
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2019 i7 Benchmark (1300 single core, 5200 all cores)
https://browser.geekben
2020 M1 Pro Benchmark (2300 single core, 8200 all cores)
https://browser.geekben
The M1 (even like an M1 Air) is going to be nearly twice as fast for most single-core work (ie, basically everything you care about).
The only concern would be battery life and the quality of any replacement (if replaced)
2019 i7 Benchmark (1300 single core, 5200 all cores)
https://browser.geekben
2020 M1 Pro Benchmark (2300 single core, 8200 all cores)
https://browser.geekben
The M1 (even like an M1 Air) is going to be nearly twice as fast for most single-core work (ie, basically everything you care about).
The M1 Pro you compared this with costs around $600+ and that too with only 16GB RAM; that's $200+ more than this.
A processor alone doesn't make the laptop.
The only concern would be battery life and the quality of any replacement (if replaced)
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
2019 i7 Benchmark (1300 single core, 5200 all cores)
https://browser.geekben
2020 M1 Pro Benchmark (2300 single core, 8200 all cores)
https://browser.geekben
The M1 (even like an M1 Air) is going to be nearly twice as fast for most single-core work (ie, basically everything you care about).
The good:
- The butterfly keyboard issue is resolved in this model (and moving forward). The older butterfly keyboard had super low travel, felt like you were typing on concrete, and could break a key if so much as a speck of dust got under the keycap. No joke. It was awful, and many people delayed buying a Macbook because of it. This mac fixes that problem (amazing how a "good" is simply "doesn't have a problem the previous model had"!).
- The audio is genuinely top notch. I can use the internal speakers and microphone as a replacement for higher tier external ones, and I lose very little in the process. They're that good (and this is a trend continued through the M-series 16" Macbook Pro models).
The bad:
- It's slow compared to the M1 Air. Like nearly half the speed. It's figuratively "night and day".
- It's a space heater. Just idling, it puts out a LOT of heat. Great in the winter though if you have cold hands!
- Battery life is abysmal on its own....and compared to the M1 Air, it's insultingly bad.
- It stutters. I've never had a mac NOT be silky smooth in the normal UI before this (unless I was REALLY pushing the machine), but this one stutters randomly under no load.
- It crashes. Yes. I had significantly more crashes EACH MONTH on this machine than I had in 7 years total on a 2013 15" Macbook Pro. And I didn't treat that 2013 MBP nicely either. Guess what, THE 2013 MBP STILL WORKS.
And the ugly:
- As soon as the M1 came out, the older machines lost their resale value overnight. Yes, today we accept that Macs don't resell for large sums of cash, but this was the first time in something like ~15 years where you couldn't recoup a nice chunk of your original purchase price through reselling/trading it in.
My 2 cents: I would NOT buy one of these machines at ANY price. Take your budget, and put it towards literally any M1 Air or M1 Pro/Max. You'll get a better machine. The only way I'd suggest one of these is if you know without a doubt you need an Intel-based mac for your unique circumstances (such as software that's incompatible on the M1).
The M1 Pro you compared this with costs around $600+ and that too with only 16GB RAM; that's $200+ more than this.
A processor alone doesn't make the laptop.
The processor change made such a massive difference -- thermals, system stability, power draw, battery efficiency, etc.
It's very clear you haven't used either machine in the slightest, since if you have, you would know just how meaningful of the change this was in the lineup of Macbooks. You didn't even know how much ram the M1 Air could have. Please don't spread misinformation.
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).
Another option would be looking at Valve's Steam Deck handheld. It's a custom OS sitting on top of a Linux install, and it's pretty amazing for the price. You have a LOT of control over how you can use it, and it interfaces well with monitors/TVs/keyboards/mice/etc through a dock/port extender. It's not a massively powerful handheld compared to most desktops with a dedicated multi-hundred dollar GPU...but I've found very few people to be unhappy with the Steam Deck. It even runs mildly taxing games pretty acceptably, which is amazing for how optimized the system is.
Paired with an external 1080p screen, it would be ok for older games (AAA games before 2019) in windows or Linux.
But the heat problems with this laptop are the issue, the CPU fans kick in very early. The body is thinner that current M series and yet the processor is way less heat efficient.
There are way better gaming laptops for $400 out there. Build quality and screen won't be as nice, but games wilL run smoother.
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Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
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