Why the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro Is Still a Great Buy in 2025

When Apple launched the 16-inch MacBook Pro back in 2019, it was hailed as a powerhouse. Priced at around £3,500 (or about $3,500) for the top-spec Intel i9 model, it was considered one of the most capable laptops you could buy at the time. Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has shifted dramatically. With Apple Silicon now dominating the Mac lineup, the Intel-based MacBooks have largely been pushed aside. But here’s the surprise: the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro has become one of the most affordable and versatile laptops you can pick up today.

Massive Price Drop Creates a Bargain Opportunity

In just five years, the price of these machines has plummeted by nearly 90%. You can now find a top-spec i9 2019 MacBook Pro on eBay for as little as £375. Even the base i7 models, which originally sold for around £2,300, can now be snagged for under £300. For budget-conscious shoppers, this is a rare chance to own a premium Apple device at a fraction of its original cost.

How It Stacks Up Against Apple Silicon

There’s no doubt that Apple Silicon MacBooks are far superior in many areas. They’re faster, more efficient, cooler under pressure, and they’ll likely enjoy software support for years to come. Models like the M1 MacBook Air, available for around £400, are excellent choices for everyday tasks and even some creative work. But there are areas where the 2019 MacBook Pro still holds its ground.

Bigger Storage, Bigger Screen, Better Speakers

One major advantage of the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro is storage. These machines come with at least 500GB of PCIe-based NVMe storage, which is impressively fast even by today’s standards. You can easily find units with 1TB or even 2TB drives without spending much more than £400 — something you’d struggle to match with a modern MacBook unless you spend £500–£600 or more.

Then there’s the display. The 16-inch Retina screen boasts a crisp 3072 x 1920 resolution and 500 nits of brightness. Sure, you’ll have to live with a 60Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion here), but the color accuracy and visual quality are fantastic, making it a superb laptop for media consumption, creative tasks, and everyday browsing.

As for the audio, the six-speaker surround sound system on the 2019 model was a game-changer when it launched. It delivers room-filling, immersive sound that rivals — and arguably inspired — the excellent speakers found in today’s MacBook lineup.

Performance That Still Holds Up

The top-spec Intel i9 in the 2019 MacBook Pro runs at 2.4GHz with eight cores and still offers solid performance. The base i7 models, with six cores and clock speeds up to 4.5GHz, are no slouches either. While the M1 and M2 chips undoubtedly outclass them in benchmarks, the Intel models offer flexibility that the Apple Silicon Macs simply can’t match — at least at this price point.

Ports and Expandability

The 2019 MacBook Pro comes with four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, allowing you to charge from any port and connect multiple accessories. Yes, it lacks USB-A, HDMI, and an SD card reader, but it’s more versatile than the two-port M1 MacBook Air and far better than the single-port 12-inch MacBooks from a few years back.

Native Windows Support and Gaming

Here’s where the 2019 MacBook Pro really stands out: it can run Windows 10 natively via Apple’s Boot Camp utility. That means no emulation or translation layers — you get the full Windows experience, including access to Windows-only software and games. Combined with dedicated AMD Radeon graphics options like the 5300M or 5600M (with up to 8GB of VRAM), this machine can handle light gaming and 3D tasks surprisingly well.

Who Should Consider It?

If you need sheer power for video editing or intensive CPU tasks, the M1 or M2 MacBooks are the smarter choice. But if you’re after a large, beautiful screen, superior speakers, ample storage, and the ability to dual-boot into Windows — all without breaking the bank — the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro is a fantastic option.

Where to Find the Best Deals

Right now, you can often find these laptops for under £300, or around £400 for models with upgraded specs. eBay and other used tech marketplaces are flooded with sellers eager to offload these machines, making this an ideal time to grab one.

Final Thoughts

The 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro may not match the raw power or efficiency of Apple’s latest Silicon models, but it offers an unbeatable combination of features and value for money. Whether you’re looking for a gorgeous laptop to watch films, a capable machine for browsing and light gaming, or an affordable entry into the Mac ecosystem, this aging workhorse is well worth your attention.