Apple 2020 MacBook Pro with 2.0GHz Intel Core i5, 13-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage - Space Gray (Renewed)
Want the best price and purchase timing?
Our AI advisor analyzes real-time pricing across all channels to find you the best deal.
AI Verdict
This is a direct way to get 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD in a Mac, but you are buying a hot, loud Intel machine nearing the end of its update lifespan.
You trade modern processor efficiency for higher RAM and storage capacities. If you need 16GB of memory for heavy browser multitasking or coding, this fits the bill. Just prepare for loud fans and a constant charger tether.
If you don't strictly need 16GB of RAM, buy a refurbished M1 MacBook Air with 8GB RAM instead — it runs circles around this Intel chip in speed and battery life.
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
- Features the reliable scissor-switch Magic Keyboard, ditching the infamous butterfly switches of older models.
- Includes 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports, unlike the base M1 models which only have two.
- Runs Boot Camp natively, letting you install full Windows 10/11 without virtualization software.
- 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD provide massive headroom for multitasking and local file storage.
Cons
- The Intel i5 processor runs significantly hotter and louder than any Apple Silicon M-series chip.
- Renewed battery health is a gamble, with many units arriving at 80% capacity and struggling to hit 5 hours of real use.
- Apple is phasing out macOS updates for Intel chips, meaning this laptop will lose software support soon.
- The 720p webcam looks grainy and washed out compared to modern 1080p laptop cameras.
Dimension Scores
The 10th-gen i5 handles basic multitasking well thanks to 16GB RAM, but throttles under heavy loads.
The 2560x1600 Retina display still looks incredibly sharp and hits 500 nits of brightness.
Intel power draw combined with a degraded renewed battery means you will reach for the charger constantly.
The aluminum unibody is still premium and weighs just 3.1 pounds, though the bottom chassis runs quite hot on your lap.
Best For
- Students who absolutely need 16GB of RAM for coding or heavy multitasking.
- Users who require native Windows via Boot Camp for specific legacy software.
- A secondary home laptop that stays plugged into a charger most of the day.
Not Recommended For
- Anyone who works away from an outlet for more than 4-5 hours at a time.
- Video editors or creatives who need the rendering efficiency of Apple Silicon.
- Buyers looking for a laptop that will receive macOS updates for the next 5 years.
Watch Out For
- Battery lottery — Amazon Renewed guarantees 80% capacity, which on an inefficient Intel chip means you might only get 4 hours of screen time.
- Fan noise is constant — even having a dozen Chrome tabs open will cause the fans to spin up audibly, unlike silent M1 models.
- The Touch Bar is a dead feature — Apple abandoned it, so third-party app support is virtually non-existent now.
- Charger mismatch — many renewed units ship with generic 60W chargers instead of the official Apple 61W brick, which can run hot.
Full Specifications
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| ASIN | B08HHNXW8Y |
| Brand | Apple |
| Color | Space Gray |
| Series | MacBook Pro |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
| CPU Model | Core i5 |
| Processor | 2 GHz core_i5 |
| Hard Drive | 512 GB SSD |
| Model Name | MacBook Pro |
| Item Weight | 3.1 pounds |
| Screen Size | 13.3 Inches |
| Memory Speed | 3733 GHz |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Chipset Brand | Intel |
| Wireless Type | 802.11a |
| Hard Disk Size | 512 GB |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Special Feature | Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Reader, HD Audio |
| Card Description | Integrated |
| Operating System | macOS Catalina (version 10,15) |
| Hardware Platform | Mac |
| Item model number | MWP42LL/A |
| Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| Optical Drive Type | CD-R |
| Product Dimensions | 13.41 x 9.76 x 2.41 inches |
| Audio-out Ports (#) | 1 |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR3 SDRAM |
| Graphics Coprocessor | AMD FirePro W5130M,Intel Iris Plus Graphics |
| Hard Drive Interface | Thunderbolt |
| Number of Processors | 4 |
| Max Screen Resolution | 2560x1600 |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 13.41 x 9.76 x 2.41 inches |
| Graphics Card Description | Integrated |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Standing screen display size | 13.3 Inches |
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 10 Hours |
What Buyers Say
The biggest shock for buyers coming from older laptops is how hot this machine gets during basic tasks. Reviews frequently mention the fans spinning up just from watching YouTube or running Zoom calls. Buyers are thrilled to get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which makes multitasking much smoother than on base-model 8GB machines. The scissor-switch keyboard gets universal praise as a massive upgrade over the 2016-2019 butterfly models. The 'renewed' battery lottery remains a major pain point, with many units arriving with high cycle counts and struggling to hold a charge.
“I love the screen and having 16gb of ram is great for my workflow, but the battery dies in 3 hours and the fans scream if I open too many tabs.”
Common Praise
- The Magic Keyboard has 1mm of travel and doesn't suffer from the sticky keys of older models.
- 16GB of RAM keeps the system responsive even with 30+ Chrome tabs and Spotify open.
- Having four Thunderbolt 3 ports allows for dual external monitors without needing an expensive dock.
- The 2560x1600 Retina display is bright enough to use comfortably in a sunlit room.
Common Complaints
- The bottom chassis gets uncomfortably hot on your lap during video calls.
- Battery drains from 100% to 20% in under 4 hours of basic web browsing.
- The included third-party charger gets dangerously hot and charges slower than the original.
- Fans sound like a jet engine when running any Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
Ownership Tips
- The Touch Bar frequently freezes and requires a terminal command to restart it.
- You will need to clean the fan vents with compressed air, as renewed units often arrive with dust buildup inside.
- macOS Sonoma runs fine, but some of the newer AI features are locked to Apple Silicon chips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this have the butterfly keyboard that breaks easily?
No. This 2020 model uses the redesigned Magic Keyboard with scissor switches, which is highly reliable and comfortable to type on.
Can I run Windows on this MacBook?
Yes. Because it has an Intel processor, you can use Apple's built-in Boot Camp Assistant to install and run Windows natively.
How long will the battery last on a renewed unit?
Expect around 4 to 5 hours of real-world use. Amazon Renewed only guarantees 80% of the original battery health, and Intel chips drain power quickly.
Does this model have the M1 chip?
No, this is the early 2020 model with a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor. The M1 chip was released later that same year.
Does it come with the original Apple charger and box?
Usually no. Most Amazon Renewed units ship in a generic brown box with a third-party USB-C charger and cable.
Will this continue to get macOS updates?
It will receive security patches for a little while longer, but Apple is actively phasing out major macOS version updates for Intel-based Macs.
Buying Guide
When buying a renewed Intel Mac in 2026, you fight the clock on software support and battery degradation. This specific model is the absolute last Intel 13-inch Pro Apple made, meaning it has the reliable scissor keyboard but the old, hot processor. Buy this only if you specifically need 16GB of RAM, or if you absolutely must run native Windows via Boot Camp. Buying this for general web browsing sacrifices massive amounts of battery life and thermal comfort compared to newer Apple Silicon models.
Intel Core i5 vs Apple M1
Think of the Intel chip like a gas-guzzling muscle car—it gets the job done but creates a lot of heat and noise. The M1 is like an electric vehicle—silent, cool, and highly efficient.
16GB RAM
RAM is your laptop's short-term memory. 16GB gives you a massive desk to spread out your work, meaning you can leave dozens of apps and browser tabs open without the computer slowing down.
Amazon Renewed Guarantee
This means the laptop is used but tested. The catch is they only guarantee the battery holds 80% of its original charge, which is like buying a phone that already has a worn-out battery.
Alternatives
If you want all-day battery life and a laptop that stays completely silent, search for a refurbished 'MacBook Air M1'. If you need the 16GB of RAM but want modern performance, look for a 'MacBook Pro M1 16GB'.
You Might Also Like
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
$600+This 2.71-pound MacBook Air with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display and M5 chip is for users needing powerful AI capabilities and up to 18 hours of battery life.
Apple 2026 MacBook Pro Laptop with Apple M5 Pro chip with 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU: Built for AI, 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 7; Space Black
$600+This 16.2-inch MacBook Pro with an 18-core M5 Pro CPU and 20-core GPU is for professionals needing extreme AI performance and up to 27 hours of battery life.
Apple 2026 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight
$600+This 3.32-pound MacBook Air with an M5 chip and 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is for users needing powerful AI capabilities and up to 18 hours of battery life.
HP OmniBook 5 16” Touchscreen AI Laptop – Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Windows 11, Copilot AI, Wi-Fi 6E, Backlit Keyboard, Silver
$600+This 16-inch touchscreen laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD is for users needing a mid-range AI-accelerated machine for productivity and light creative tasks.