Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" Space Gray 2020 Review
This refurbished 2020 MacBook Pro offers Apple's premium feel at a budget price, but its Intel Core i5 heart is slow for a 'Pro' machine. It's a deal for casual users, a trap for power users.
The 30-Second Version
This is a budget ticket into the MacBook Pro club, but you're getting last-gen performance. Great for casual use, terrible for pro work.
Overview
This refurbished 2020 MacBook Pro is a weird spot in Apple's lineup. It's the last Intel model, and it's trying to be a pro machine with a CPU that's frankly underwhelming. The one thing to know? You're buying this for the MacBook Pro chassis and macOS experience, not for raw power. It's a solid, reliable, and portable laptop, but its performance is firmly stuck in the past.
Performance
The Intel Core i5 is the biggest surprise here, and it's not a good one. It ranks in the 23rd percentile for CPU performance, which means it falls behind most modern laptops. For basic tasks, it's fine, but if you're expecting 'Pro' performance for anything intensive, you'll be disappointed. The integrated Iris Plus Graphics are about average, which explains the dismal 8.3/100 gaming score. This isn't a machine for pushing pixels.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The build quality and portability are still top-notch. It's one of the best on the market for feeling premium and traveling well. 95th
- The 16GB of RAM is a great pairing that helps keep the system feeling smooth despite the older CPU. 95th
- You get the full macOS experience with Touch Bar, Touch ID, and that excellent Force Touch trackpad. 91th
- As a refurbished unit, it's a cheap way into the MacBook Pro ecosystem. 78th
Cons
- The 10th-gen Intel i5 is a real letdown. It's slow for a 'Pro' machine. 32th
- The 512GB SSD is middle of the pack, and you'll feel that limit if you work with large files.
- You're stuck with Intel's integrated graphics, which are mediocre for anything beyond basic video playback.
- Wi-Fi 5 and only Thunderbolt 3 ports feel dated compared to current machines.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| Cores | 4 |
| Frequency | 2.0 GHz |
Graphics
| GPU | Intel Iris Plus Graphics |
| Type | integrated |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 16 GB |
| RAM Generation | LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Storage Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 13.3" |
| Resolution | 2560 (QHD) |
Connectivity
| USB Ports | 4 |
| Thunderbolt | 4x Thunderbolt |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 |
Physical
| Weight | 1.4 kg / 3.1 lbs |
| OS | Mac OS |
Value & Pricing
At $490, the value proposition is simple. If you need a reliable, portable Mac for web browsing, office work, and light creative tasks, this is a steal. If you need performance for video editing, coding, or anything demanding, it's not worth it. You're trading power for price.
Price History
vs Competition
The most relevant competitor is Apple's own 14" MacBook Pro with an M4 chip. It's leagues ahead in performance, but costs thousands more. If you need a portable Windows machine for similar light work, the ASUS ProArt PX13 offers a stunning OLED screen and much more modern specs, but again, at a higher price. This refurbished MacBook Pro exists in a budget niche those machines don't touch.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" | 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 10th Generation Core i5 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 | 13.3" 2560x1600 | 14" 3840x2400 | 14" 1920x1200 | 14" 2880x1800 | 13.3" 2880x1800 | 15" 2496x1664 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Plus Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Qualcomm X1 |
| OS | Mac OS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight (kg) | 1.4 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" | 31.6 | 54.8 | 55.4 | 94.7 | 77.5 | 91.2 | 49.1 | 94.8 |
| Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14" Compare | 65.7 | 66.6 | 94.6 | 90.6 | 99.9 | 84.7 | 72.3 | 75.6 |
| ASUS ZenBook 14" Compare | 89.2 | 66.6 | 94.1 | 99.3 | 75.6 | 84.5 | 72.3 | 55.8 |
| Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Galaxy Book5 Pro 14" 3K Compare | 69 | 66.6 | 86.9 | 90.6 | 93.5 | 84.9 | 72.3 | 75.6 |
| MSI Prestige 13”AI+ Ukiyoe Edition 13.3"OLED Compare | 65.7 | 66.6 | 86.9 | 98.3 | 90.6 | 95.5 | 72.3 | 55.8 |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 15" Compare | 98.6 | 42 | 86.9 | 96.8 | 86.2 | 53.7 | 84.7 | 75.6 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the Touch Bar useful or annoying?
It's divisive. Some love the quick shortcuts for volume and brightness; others find it distracting. For $490, it's a neat bonus, not a reason to buy.
Q: How's the battery life on a refurbished model?
We don't have specific data, but these Intel models weren't known for amazing battery life. Expect a full workday if you're careful, but don't plan on forgetting your charger.
Q: Can I upgrade the RAM or storage later?
No. Like all modern MacBooks, everything is soldered on. You pick your specs at purchase and that's it.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a laptop to do real work like video editing, software development, or heavy multitasking, this isn't it. Go get a modern MacBook Air with an M-series chip or a Windows laptop with a current Ryzen or Intel Core Ultra processor. You'll get far more performance for your money.
Verdict
We recommend this only for a very specific user: someone who wants macOS, prioritizes build quality and portability over speed, and has a tight budget. For students, writers, or casual users, it's a good deal. For anyone calling themselves a 'power user,' skip it. The performance gap is too wide.