Apple MacBook Pro 16" Space Gray 2021 Review
A certified refurbished 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro chip for around $1000 offers a stunning screen and reliable performance, but its GPU and storage are its compromises.
The 30-Second Version
At around $1000, this refurbished 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro chip is a great deal for non-gamers. Its stunning 89th percentile screen and reliable 93rd percentile refurb quality are the highlights. Just know the GPU is weak (18th percentile) and the storage is modest.
Overview
This refurbished 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip is a solid deal for around $1000. It's a certified refurb, so you're getting Apple's quality with a deep discount. The core specs here are the 10-core M1 Pro CPU and that gorgeous 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display. The 16GB of unified memory and 512GB SSD are the baseline config, but they're enough for most pro workflows.
Performance
The M1 Pro chip is still a beast. Its CPU performance sits in the 64th percentile against all laptops in our database, which means it's comfortably above average and handles multitasking and demanding apps with ease. The integrated 16-core GPU, however, lands in the 18th percentile. That's fine for video editing and design work, but it's not a gaming machine. The screen is its standout feature, ranking in the 89th percentile for its 3456x2234 resolution and XDR quality. It's a stunning panel for creative work. Storage and RAM are in the lower third of our rankings (37th and 35th percentile respectively), so you're trading some future-proofing for the lower price.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Certified refurbished reliability is excellent, scoring in the 93rd percentile. 95th
- The 16.2-inch XDR display is a top-tier screen, landing in the 89th percentile. 94th
- The 10-core M1 Pro CPU provides strong, efficient performance in the 64th percentile. 92th
- It includes a useful array of ports, also scoring in the 93rd percentile. 78th
- Build quality and overall feel are premium, which is a big part of the Apple experience.
Cons
- The integrated GPU is weak for gaming, sitting in the 18th percentile. 11th
- The 512GB SSD is modest, ranking in the 37th percentile for storage. 21th
- 16GB of RAM is the baseline and ranks in the 35th percentile.
- It's not a compact machine, scoring only 13th percentile for portability.
- It's running macOS Monterey 12, which is a few versions behind the current OS.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Apple M1 Pro |
| Cores | 10 |
Graphics
| GPU | Apple M1 Pro 16-core |
| Type | integrated |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 16 GB |
| RAM Generation | Not provid |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Storage Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 16.2" |
| Resolution | 3456 |
Connectivity
| USB Ports | 3 |
| Thunderbolt | 3x Thunderbolt |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 |
Physical
| Weight | 2.1 kg / 4.7 lbs |
| OS | macOS Monterey 12 |
Value & Pricing
At roughly $1000, this is a compelling value proposition. You're getting the core M1 Pro performance and that phenomenal 16-inch display at a fraction of the original cost. The trade-off is you're accepting the base storage and RAM configuration, and a GPU that isn't meant for heavy gaming. For creative pros who prioritize screen quality and CPU power over raw graphics or massive storage, this price is hard to beat.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to a new 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 Max, you're sacrificing about 40% in CPU performance and a massive leap in GPU power, but you're saving over $1500. Against Windows competitors like the ASUS ProArt PX13 or MSI Creator M14, this MacBook Pro wins in screen quality and battery efficiency, but loses in raw GPU performance (those have dedicated RTX cards) and upgradeability. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a different beast altogether, with a GPU percentile likely above 90, but it's a thick gaming laptop. This MacBook Pro is for a different user: the portable creative workstation.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16" | ASUS ROG Flow ASUS ROG Flow - AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 AMD Radeon | Lenovo Yoga Lenovo - Yoga Slim 9i - Copilot+ PC - 14" 4K 120Hz | 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 - Surface Laptop - 13.8" 2K Touchscreen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M1 Pro | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 |
| RAM (GB) | 16 | 128 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 512 | 1024 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Screen | 16.2" 3456x2234 | 13.4" 2560x1600 | 14" 3840x2400 | 14" 2880x1800 | 13.3" 2880x1800 | 13.8" 2304x1536 |
| GPU | Apple M1 Pro 16-core | AMD Radeon 8060 | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Qualcomm X1 |
| OS | macOS Monterey 12 | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight (kg) | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1 | 1.3 |
| Battery (Wh) | - | 70 | 75 | - | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Port | Screen | Compact | Storage | Reliability | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Pro 16" | 72 | 20.6 | 44.1 | 93.7 | 91.8 | 10.5 | 49.1 | 94.8 | 78 |
| ASUS ROG Flow GZ302EA-XS99 Compare | 95.5 | 80.9 | 99.5 | 98.9 | 89.8 | 93.4 | 76.6 | 55.8 | 99.4 |
| Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14" Compare | 65.7 | 66.6 | 94.6 | 90.7 | 99.9 | 84.7 | 72.3 | 75.6 | 90.3 |
| Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Galaxy Book5 Pro 14" 3K Compare | 69 | 66.6 | 86.9 | 90.7 | 93.5 | 84.9 | 72.3 | 75.6 | 96.5 |
| MSI Prestige 13”AI+ Ukiyoe Edition 13.3"OLED Compare | 65.7 | 66.6 | 86.9 | 98.4 | 90.6 | 95.5 | 72.3 | 55.8 | 88.1 |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8" 2K Touchscreen Compare | 95 | 42 | 86.9 | 94.8 | 81.2 | 87 | 72.3 | 75.6 | 97.4 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the Geek Squad Certified Refurbished process reliable?
Yes, very. In our database, refurbished products from this program score in the 93rd percentile for reliability. They're thoroughly tested, so you're getting a known-good machine at a discount.
Q: Can this MacBook Pro handle gaming?
Not really. Its integrated GPU performance ranks in the 18th percentile against all laptops. It's fine for light games or older titles, but for modern AAA gaming, you'll want a laptop with a dedicated GPU.
Q: Is 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD enough for pro work?
For many pro workflows, yes. The 16GB unified memory is efficient. But both specs rank in the lower third (35th and 37th percentile). If you work with massive video files or run dozens of virtual machines, you might feel constrained. For general coding, design, and photo editing, it's sufficient.
Who Should Skip This
Hardcore gamers should look elsewhere. The GPU sits in the 18th percentile, and our score for gaming is a low 26.1 out of 100. Also, if you need tons of local storage or the absolute latest CPU performance from an M3 or M4 chip, this isn't your machine. Its storage is in the 37th percentile, and the CPU, while strong, is a generation behind the latest.
Verdict
We'd recommend this refurbished MacBook Pro for creative professionals, developers, and power users who want a large, beautiful screen and reliable Apple performance without paying the premium for the latest silicon. Its CPU is strong, its screen is exceptional, and the refurb process means it's trustworthy. Skip it if you need a gaming GPU, more than 512GB of storage, or the absolute latest macOS features.