Apple MacBook Pro 16 2.6Ghz 6-Core i7 Space Gray 2019 Review
A refurbished Intel MacBook Pro offers premium build and a stunning screen for under $700, but its performance is showing its age. We break down who should buy it.
The 30-Second Version
A refurbished Intel-era MacBook Pro with a gorgeous 16-inch screen and great speakers, but aging performance. For around $605, it's a budget way into the MacBook Pro experience. Worth it if you prioritize build quality over speed.
Overview
This is a refurbished 16-inch MacBook Pro from Apple's Intel era. It's a big, solid machine with a fantastic screen and speakers, but it's powered by tech that's now several generations old. You're buying it for the classic MacBook Pro build quality and that gorgeous 16-inch Retina display, not for cutting-edge speed.
Performance
The performance story here is all about context. The 9th Gen Intel Core i7 and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M were respectable in their day, but our database shows they land in the 24th and 66th percentiles respectively against modern laptops. It'll handle daily tasks, photo editing, and even some light video work just fine. But if you're trying to edit 8K video or play the latest games, you'll feel the age. The 512GB SSD is also on the smaller side, scoring in the 37th percentile.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That 16-inch Retina display is still absolutely stunning. 95th
- Build quality and port selection (including four Thunderbolt 3 ports) are top-tier. 95th
- The six-speaker sound system is fantastic for a laptop. 88th
- You get the full MacBook Pro experience (Touch Bar, Touch ID) at a much lower price. 78th
Cons
- The Intel CPU and AMD GPU are several generations behind. 19th
- 512GB of storage fills up fast with modern media files. 32th
- It's a heavy machine, not built for constant travel. 33th
- You're stuck on an older version of macOS (Catalina).
Specifications
Full Specifications
Graphics
| GPU | AMD Radeon Pro 5300M |
| Type | discrete |
| VRAM | 4 GB |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 16 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR4 |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Storage Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 16" |
| Resolution | 3072 |
Connectivity
| USB Ports | 4 |
| Thunderbolt | 4x Thunderbolt |
Physical
| Weight | 1.9 kg / 4.3 lbs |
| OS | macOS Catalina |
Value & Pricing
At around $605 for a Geek Squad Certified Refurbished model, the value proposition is simple: you're trading raw performance for premium build and a great screen at a budget price. For that money, you're getting a machine that feels and looks far more expensive than it is. Just know you're buying into a platform that Apple has moved on from.
vs Competition
This is a tough one to compare directly. Against a modern Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, you lose massively on performance, battery life, and software support, but you save over a thousand dollars. Compared to a Windows laptop at this price, like an ASUS Vivobook or an older Lenovo IdeaPad, you'll get a worse CPU/GPU combo but a far superior screen, speakers, and unibody aluminum chassis. It's a niche pick.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16 2.6Ghz 6-Core i7 | Lenovo Yoga Lenovo - Yoga Slim 9i - Copilot+ PC - 14" 4K 120Hz | ASUS ZenBook ASUS - Zenbook 14 14" FHD+ OLED Touch Screen | Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Samsung - Galaxy Book5 Pro - Copilot+ PC - 14" 3K | MSI Prestige MSI - Prestige 13”AI+ - Ukiyoe Edition 13.3"OLED | Microsoft Surface Laptop Microsoft 15" Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC (7th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel 9th Generation Core i7 Not provided | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 2 | Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 |
| RAM (GB) | 16 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 512 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1024 |
| Screen | 16" 3072x1920 | 14" 3840x2400 | 14" 1920x1200 | 14" 2880x1800 | 13.3" 2880x1800 | 15" 2496x1664 |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Pro 5300M | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Qualcomm X1 |
| OS | macOS Catalina | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight (kg) | 2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1 | 1.7 |
| Battery (Wh) | - | 75 | 75 | - | - | 66 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Port | Screen | Compact | Storage | Reliability | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 2.6Ghz 6-Core i7 | 31.8 | 69.3 | 32.7 | 94.7 | 87.7 | 19 | 48.7 | 95.1 | 77.7 |
| Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14" Compare | 65.6 | 66.3 | 94.6 | 90.5 | 99.9 | 85.1 | 72.1 | 76 | 90.2 |
| ASUS ZenBook 14" Compare | 89.1 | 66.3 | 94 | 99.2 | 75.8 | 84.8 | 72.1 | 56 | 97.3 |
| Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Galaxy Book5 Pro 14" 3K Compare | 68.8 | 66.3 | 86.7 | 90.5 | 93.4 | 85.3 | 72.1 | 76 | 96.5 |
| MSI Prestige 13”AI+ Ukiyoe Edition 13.3"OLED Compare | 65.6 | 66.3 | 86.7 | 98.3 | 90.5 | 95.5 | 72.1 | 56 | 87.9 |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 15" Compare | 98.5 | 41.6 | 86.7 | 96.8 | 86.1 | 54.1 | 84.5 | 76 | 99.4 |
Common Questions
Q: Can it run the latest version of macOS?
No, it ships with macOS Catalina. It likely cannot be upgraded to the newest versions (Sonoma/Ventura) due to Apple dropping support for Intel Macs.
Q: Is the performance good for video editing?
It can handle 1080p and some 4K editing, but it will struggle with complex timelines, effects, or newer codecs. Modern Apple Silicon Macs are in a different league.
Q: How's the battery life on a refurbished model?
Battery health isn't specified, but it's a key question for any refurb. Expect it to be less than new, and the Intel chip was never known for great battery life to begin with.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you need performance for professional video editing, 3D work, or gaming. The older Intel/AMD combo just isn't up to those tasks anymore. Also, avoid it if you need the latest macOS features or software compatibility, as you're stuck on an old OS.
Verdict
Buy this if you're on a tight budget but crave the premium feel of a MacBook Pro, and your work is mostly web browsing, office apps, media consumption, and light creative tasks. It's a fantastic secondary machine or a 'good enough' primary laptop for someone who values the Apple ecosystem and build quality over having the latest specs.