Apple 13.3" Silver Review

This refurbished 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro is a sleek and reliable machine for basic tasks, but its 8GB RAM and 256GB storage are major limitations today. It's only a good buy at a very low price point, as its aging processor can't keep up with modern software. Consider a refurbished M1 MacBook Air for a much better experience.

Looking at a refurbished 13-inch MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar? This model, with its 7th Gen Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, is a specific kind of machine. It's for someone who wants the classic MacBook Pro design, that brilliant Retina display, and the Touch Bar experience, but at a much lower price than a new model. If you're in the market for a sleek, portable laptop for everyday tasks and you're comfortable with Apple's older Intel architecture, this is a compelling option. Just know what you're getting into with those specs.

The dual-core Intel Core i5 and integrated Iris Plus Graphics 650 are showing their age. In our database, the CPU lands in the 55th percentile, which means it's fine for web browsing, document editing, and streaming video, but it will start to chug if you push it with heavy multitasking or more demanding applications. The GPU is even further back at the 49th percentile, so gaming is basically off the table, and even light photo editing will feel sluggish. The 256GB of storage is also a major constraint, sitting in the 12th percentile. You'll be managing your files carefully or relying on external drives.

The value here is entirely about the price. With a wild spread from $300 to $1800 across vendors, you need to be a savvy shopper. At the lower end of that range (think $300-$500), this MacBook Pro can be a decent deal for basic Apple ecosystem tasks. But if you see it priced anywhere near $1000, walk away. For that money, you can get a brand-new Windows laptop or a used M1 MacBook Air that will run circles around it in performance and battery life.

You have to compare this to two things: newer Macs and modern Windows laptops. The obvious Apple alternative is a refurbished M1 MacBook Air. It has no Touch Bar, but its performance, battery life, and efficiency absolutely demolish this Intel model. On the Windows side, something like an ASUS Vivobook or a Lenovo IdeaPad in the same price range will give you a newer processor, more RAM, and more storage, but you lose macOS and that premium Apple build. The MSI Creator or ASUS ProArt models in our competitor list are in a completely different performance league, but also a much higher price bracket.

Skip this laptop if you're a power user, a student with demanding software, a creative professional, or anyone who keeps more than five browser tabs open. The 8GB RAM is a hard ceiling. Also skip if you need all-day battery life—these Intel models weren't great for that even when new. If you're a gamer, this isn't even on your radar. Look at a refurbished M1 MacBook Air for a better macOS experience or a modern budget Windows laptop for more raw specs.

Should you buy this? Only under very specific conditions. Buy this if you absolutely need a cheap entry into the MacBook Pro line, you love the Touch Bar gimmick, and your computing needs are incredibly light—think writing, emails, and web browsing. For everyone else, the answer is probably no. The combination of limited RAM, tiny storage, and an outdated processor is a tough sell in 2024. We'd recommend stretching your budget for a refurbished M1 MacBook Air almost every single time.