You remember the buzz in May 2019. Apple dropped a refreshed 15-inch MacBook Pro, and everyone immediately started obsessing over the keyboard. It was the era of the Butterfly switch—a design choice that launched a thousand lawsuits and even more angry YouTube rants. But here we are years later. People are still scouring eBay and refurbished sites for this specific machine. Why? Because the 2019 MacBook Pro 15 represents a very weird, specific moment in tech history where high-end Intel power met the absolute limit of Apple’s thin-and-light obsession.
It’s an odd beast.
Most tech reviewers at the time focused on the "thermal throttling" or the fact that it was the last 15-inch model before the 16-inch version took over six months later. If you’re looking at one today, you’re likely trying to balance a budget against a need for a massive screen and decent port flexibility—well, if you consider four Thunderbolt 3 ports "flexible." Honestly, it’s a polarizing laptop. Some people swear it’s the best Intel Mac ever made. Others think it’s a ticking time bomb of hardware failures.
The Butterfly in the Room
Let’s talk about the keyboard. If you buy a 2019 MacBook Pro 15, you are getting the "third-and-a-half" generation of the Butterfly keyboard. Apple added a new material to the dome switches to prevent the double-typing and dead-key issues that plagued the 2016 through 2018 models. Did it work? Mostly. It’s definitely more reliable than the 2017 versions, which were basically magnets for dust and failure. But it still feels like typing on a pane of glass. It’s loud. It’s clicky. Some people love that tactile snap; most people find it exhausting for long-form writing.
There is a silver lining here, though. Since Apple knew they had a problem, they included this specific model in their Keyboard Service Program. The catch? That program usually only covers the device for four years after the first retail sale. We are now well past that window for most units. If a key stops working now, you’re looking at a pricey top-case replacement. You've gotta be careful. Check every single key before you hand over any cash.
Power, Heat, and the Intel i9 Reality
The 2019 refresh brought some serious muscle. You could spec this thing out with an 8-core Intel Core i9. On paper, that sounds like a dream for video editing or heavy compiling. In reality? The chassis is too thin. When those eight cores start cranking, the heat has nowhere to go. You’ll hear the fans kick in—and they sound like a jet taking off—pretty much the second you open Chrome with more than ten tabs.
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I’ve seen users try all sorts of hacks to fix the thermals. People use VRM pads to bridge the gap between the internal components and the bottom case, essentially turning the entire aluminum bottom into a giant heat sink. It works, but your lap will pay the price. It gets hot. Like, "uncomfortably hot through your jeans" hot. If you're doing basic office work, it’s silent. But if you’re a pro? Expect the clock speeds to dip as the chip tries to keep itself from melting.
Despite the heat, the Radeon Pro Vega 20 graphics options were actually quite beefy for the time. Even today, for specific tasks like color grading in DaVinci Resolve or running older CAD software, that dedicated GPU gives it an edge over a modern "entry-level" M2 or M3 MacBook Air that relies on integrated graphics.
Why the 15-inch Screen Still Wins
One thing Apple rarely gets wrong is the display. The Retina panel on the 2019 MacBook Pro 15 is still gorgeous. It hits 500 nits of brightness. It covers the P3 wide color gamut. True Tone tech adjusts the white balance based on your room's lighting. Honestly, side-by-side with a brand-new M3 Pro, the average person wouldn't see a massive difference in color accuracy, though you'll definitely miss the 120Hz ProMotion smoothness found on the newer Liquid Retina XDR displays.
It’s a big canvas. If you’re a photographer or someone who likes having two windows open side-by-side, that 15.4-inch real estate feels significantly more productive than a 13-inch Air. It’s the main reason people hunt these down. You get a "pro" sized screen for a fraction of the cost of a new 16-inch model.
The Software Wall is Approaching
This is where things get tricky. We are firmly in the Apple Silicon era. macOS Sequoia and future versions are increasingly leaning on the Neural Engine found in M-series chips. While the 2019 MacBook Pro 15 still supports the latest macOS for now, the writing is on the wall. Intel support is being phased out. Within a year or two, you’ll likely stop getting the "flashy" new features. Security updates will stick around longer, but the "new" feeling of the software won't.
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If you’re a developer, this is actually a weird benefit. Some people still need Intel-based Macs to test legacy software or run Windows via Boot Camp. You can't do that natively on an M3 chip. If you need a native Windows partition for gaming or specific engineering tools, this 2019 model is one of the most powerful ways to get it in a portable package.
Real Talk on Battery Life
Don't believe the original marketing specs. In 2026, a used battery in a 2019 machine is probably tired. Even when new, the i9 models struggled to hit 6 hours of real-world use. If the cycle count is over 500, expect to be tethered to a charger. And because it uses 87W USB-C charging, you need a beefy power brick. Those tiny phone chargers won't even slow the drain while you're working.
The speakers, however, are still world-class. Apple mastered laptop audio around this time. The 15-inch has a wide soundstage and actual, physical bass. It’s better than almost any modern Windows laptop in the same price bracket. If you use your laptop as a movie machine in bed, you’re going to love it.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Touch Bar
Everyone loves to hate the Touch Bar. They say it’s a gimmick. They miss the physical Escape key—which, by the way, the 2019 15-inch doesn't have (it’s a virtual key on the bar, unlike the 16-inch that followed). But if you actually spend time with it, the Touch Bar is... fine? In apps like Final Cut Pro or Photoshop, having a scrubbing timeline or color sliders under your fingers is actually kind of intuitive. It’s not the dealbreaker people make it out to be. It’s just different.
The real issue is the flex cable. There’s a known problem called "Flexgate" where the ribbon cables for the display or the Touch Bar can wear down over time from simply opening and closing the lid. On the 2019 models, Apple lengthened these cables slightly, so it's less common than on the 2016 models, but it’s still a potential failure point.
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Is it a Good Buy?
It depends on what you're paying. If you find a 2019 MacBook Pro 15 for under $400 and it’s in pristine condition, it’s a lot of computer for the money. You get a premium build, a stunning screen, and enough ports to avoid "dongle hell" if you have USB-C gear.
But if you're looking at $600 or more? Stop. Just get a used MacBook Air with an M1 or M2 chip. The Apple Silicon transition was so massive that a "lower end" M1 chip will absolutely embarrass the i9 in most daily tasks while staying silent and cool. The only reason to go for the 2019 Intel model at that price point is if you absolutely must have a 15-inch screen and can't afford the 15-inch M2/M3 Air, or if you specifically need Intel for Windows Boot Camp.
How to Check a Used 2019 MacBook Pro 15
If you're going to pull the trigger, do these three things immediately:
- Check the Cycle Count: Go to "About This Mac" -> "System Report" -> "Power." If it's over 800, budget for a $200 battery replacement.
- Stress Test the Keys: Open a blank document and hit every key five times. If any double-space or fail to register, walk away.
- Inspect the Screen Edges: Look for any "stage lighting" effects at the bottom of the screen. This is a sign the flex cable is failing.
The 2019 15-inch is a relic of a time when Apple pushed design to the absolute edge. It's beautiful, flawed, powerful, and temperamental. It’s a pro machine that requires a bit of "pro" knowledge to keep running smoothly. If you're okay with the fan noise and the keyboard's reputation, it’s still a very capable workstation for creative work. Just don't expect it to stay cool while you're doing it.
Actionable Next Steps
Before buying a 2019 MacBook Pro 15, verify the exact processor model; the 8-core i9 is significantly more prone to heat-related throttling than the 6-core i7. If you already own one and it feels sluggish, download a fan control app like "Macs Fan Control" to set a more aggressive cooling profile, which can prevent the CPU from slowing down during heavy tasks. Finally, check your serial number on Apple’s support site to see if any remaining service programs or recall notices apply to your specific unit's battery or display.