New Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage) - Space Gray (Renewed)
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AI Verdict
This 2019 Intel MacBook Pro offers a gorgeous Retina display, but the notorious butterfly keyboard and aging, hot-running Intel chip make it a risky buy today.
The 2560x1600 Retina display and 2.58-pound aluminum chassis still feel premium for watching movies or light web browsing. The fatal flaws are the notoriously fragile butterfly keyboard, a 1.4GHz Intel i5 that runs hot, and 8GB of soldered RAM that will bottleneck your multitasking.
Look for a refurbished 2020 MacBook Air with the M1 chip to get double the battery life, a reliable Magic Keyboard, and vastly superior performance.
Regret Score™
Medium RiskLower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity
Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
Chance this product isn't for you
Pros
- 13.3-inch Retina display hits 500 nits of brightness and covers the P3 wide color gamut
- Weighs just 2.58 pounds with a 0.59-inch thick aluminum unibody chassis
- Includes Touch ID for fast logins and Apple Pay authentication
- Features two Thunderbolt 3 ports capable of 40Gbps data transfer and external display support
Cons
- Uses the 3rd-generation butterfly keyboard, which is highly prone to stuck or double-typing keys
- 8GB of LPDDR3 RAM is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded
- Only has two USB-C ports, and both are located on the left side
- The 1.4GHz Intel Core i5 processor runs significantly hotter and slower than newer Apple Silicon M1 chips
Dimension Scores
The 1.4GHz 8th-Gen Intel i5 and 8GB of RAM struggle with modern multitasking and run hot under load.
The 13.3-inch 2560x1600 Retina screen with P3 color and 500 nits brightness still looks fantastic today.
While originally rated for 10 hours, an 80% health renewed battery with an inefficient Intel chip usually yields 4 to 5 hours of real use.
The 2.58-pound aluminum unibody is incredibly sturdy and portable, but the fragile keyboard mechanism drags down the hardware reliability.
Best For
- College students writing papers in Google Docs and doing web research on a strict budget
- Software testers who specifically need an Intel-based Mac to run Windows natively via Boot Camp
- Casual photographers doing light photo editing in Lightroom using the color-accurate 500-nit display
Not Recommended For
- Video editors scrubbing through 4K timeline footage that will instantly max out the 8GB of RAM
- Programmers or copywriters who type heavily all day and need a reliable keyboard mechanism
Watch Out For
- Butterfly keyboard failures — dust or crumbs can permanently jam the keys, and the free Apple repair program has expired for this 2019 model.
- Flexgate display issues — the ribbon cable connecting the screen is prone to tearing from normal opening and closing, causing a $400+ repair.
- Renewed battery lottery — Amazon Renewed only guarantees 80% battery health, meaning you might get a unit with under 4 hours of real-world battery life.
- Intel obsolescence — Apple is rapidly phasing out macOS updates for Intel Macs, meaning this machine will likely lose software support soon.
Full Specifications
| RAM | 8 GB DDR3 |
| ASIN | B08376JQLJ |
| Brand | Apple |
| Color | Space Gray |
| Series | MacBook Pro |
| Voltage | 15 Volts |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
| CPU Model | Intel Core 5 |
| Processor | 1.4 GHz intel_core_5 |
| Hard Drive | 256 GB SSD |
| Model Name | MacBook Pro |
| Item Weight | 2.58 pounds |
| Screen Size | 13 Inches |
| Memory Speed | 2133 MHz |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Chipset Brand | Apple |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth |
| Hard Disk Size | 256 GB |
| Processor Brand | Apple |
| Special Feature | True Tone Technology, Touch Bar | Touch ID Sensor, Force Touch Trackpad |
| Card Description | Integrated |
| Operating System | Mac OS |
| Flash Memory Size | 16 |
| Hardware Platform | Mac |
| Item model number | A1989 |
| Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| Product Dimensions | 11.97 x 0.59 x 8.36 inches |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR3 SDRAM |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 |
| Hard Drive Interface | Solid State |
| Number of Processors | 2 |
| Max Screen Resolution | 2560x1600 Pixels |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 8 GB |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.97 x 0.59 x 8.36 inches |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 2 |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 1 |
| Graphics Card Description | Integrated |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 8 GB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 100 |
| Standing screen display size | 13 Inches |
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 10 Hours |
What Buyers Say
The biggest shock for buyers of this renewed 2019 model is how quickly the Intel processor spins up the fans during basic tasks like watching YouTube or opening multiple Chrome tabs. While the 500-nit Retina display receives universal praise for its sharpness and color accuracy, the hardware reliability is a massive pain point. Many owners report receiving units with sticky keys right out of the box due to the flawed butterfly keyboard design. The 'renewed' battery lottery means some buyers get machines with over 400 charge cycles, resulting in less than four hours of unplugged use. The two Thunderbolt 3 ports being crammed onto the left side also forces awkward cable routing when charging.
“Screen is beautiful but the keyboard is a nightmare, my spacebar started double tapping after two weeks and the battery dies in 3 hours.”
Common Praise
- The 2560x1600 Retina display makes text incredibly sharp and colors pop for photo editing
- The massive Force Touch trackpad provides flawless gesture tracking and uniform click pressure
- Touch ID logs you in instantly and makes password autofill seamless
- The all-aluminum chassis feels rock-solid with zero flex when picked up by the corner
Common Complaints
- The butterfly keyboard keys frequently double-type letters or get completely stuck
- The bottom of the laptop gets uncomfortably hot on your lap during basic web browsing
- Both USB-C ports are on the left side, making it annoying to charge from the right
- Battery drains rapidly, often dying in under 4 hours on these refurbished units
- The Touch Bar freezes occasionally and requires a system restart to function again
Ownership Tips
- The fans will audibly ramp up just from having a Zoom call and a few browser tabs open
- You will absolutely need a USB-C hub, as there are no legacy USB-A ports or an SD card reader
- The Touch Bar replaces physical function keys, which makes adjusting volume or brightness a two-step tap process
- Dust is the enemy of this keyboard — keep a can of compressed air handy to blow out the keys weekly
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade the RAM or storage later?
No. Both the 8GB of RAM and the 256GB SSD are permanently soldered to the logic board. You must rely on external Thunderbolt 3 drives for extra storage.
Does this model have the butterfly keyboard?
Yes. It uses the 3rd-generation butterfly mechanism, which is notorious for double-typing or failing completely when exposed to minor dust.
Can this MacBook run the latest macOS?
It currently supports macOS Sequoia, but Apple is aggressively phasing out Intel Macs. Expect it to lose major OS update support within the next year or two.
How many external monitors can I connect?
You can connect one 5K display at 60Hz or up to two 4K displays at 60Hz using the two Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Does it come with an original Apple charger?
Because it is Amazon Renewed, it often ships with a generic 61W USB-C power adapter and cable rather than the official Apple accessories.
What does 'Amazon Renewed' mean for the battery?
Amazon guarantees the battery will have at least 80% of its original 58.2Wh capacity. Depending on the cycle count, you may need a battery replacement sooner than expected.
Buying Guide
Buying a 2019 Intel MacBook Pro right now means buying into dead-end technology. Apple is rapidly dropping software support for these Intel chips. Your biggest daily headache will be the butterfly keyboard, which breaks easily and costs a fortune to fix since the free repair program expired. Because this is a renewed unit, you are playing the battery lottery — expect an older battery that struggles to hold a charge for more than a few hours.
1.4GHz Intel Core i5 Processor
This is the brain of the computer. Unlike newer Apple M-series chips that run cool and fast, this older Intel chip runs hot and drains the battery quickly when you push it.
8GB LPDDR3 RAM
RAM is your laptop's short-term memory. 8GB is the absolute bare minimum today, meaning if you open 20 browser tabs and Spotify, the computer will start to slow down.
Butterfly Keyboard Mechanism
This is the physical switch under each key. It has very little travel and is notorious for breaking if a single crumb gets underneath it, requiring a very expensive repair.
Alternatives
Search for a 'Refurbished MacBook Air M1 2020' to get a vastly superior processor, double the battery life, and a reliable traditional keyboard for roughly the same price.
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