Reviews

16-inch MacBook Pro 2019 (i7 vs i9)

Is the performance worth the price difference?

by | Feb,22,2023 10:55:15am

Are you looking for an ultra-high-end laptop that can satisfy the needs of even the most demanding users? Then the 2019 MacBook Pro 16-inch model is something you won’t want to miss. The beautiful display and lightning-fast speed of this laptop are only two of its many remarkable features. This MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model is equal to the challenge whether you’re a creative professional who needs a powerful tool for video editing or a business user who needs a dependable workhorse for everyday use.

We’ll examine every facet of this laptop in this review, including its design, display, performance, and more. Continue reading to learn more about why the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model might be the ideal choice for you.

Specifications

The 16-inch MacBook Pro 2019 comes in two major configurations – laptops powered by the i7 and i9 Intel 9th generation processors. Its design and major components are basically similar with upgrade options depending on the processor (i7 or i9). 

Processor 2.6GHz 6‑core Intel Core i7 with turbo boost up to 4.5 GHz

2.3GHz 8‑core Intel Core i9 with Turbo Boost up to 4.8GHz

2.4GHz 8-core Intel Core i9 with Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHZ

Display 16‑inch LED‑backlit display with IPS technology

3072‑by‑1920 native resolution at 226 pixels per inch 

500 nits brightness

Wide color (P3) and True Tone technology

Graphics AMD Radeon Pro 5300M 4GB

AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 4GB

AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8GB

AMD Radeon Pro 5600M 8GB with HBM2 memory 

Storage 2.6GHz – 512GB SSD

Configurable to 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB SSD

2.3GHz – 1TB SSD

Configurable to 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB SSD

Dimensions Height: 0.64 inch (1.62 cm)

Width: 14.09 inches (35.79 cm)

Depth: 9.68 inches (24.59 cm)

Weight: 4.3 pounds (2.0 kg)3

Battery Up to 11 hours wireless web

Up to 11 hours Apple TV app movie playback

Up to 30 days of standby time

Built‑in 100‑watt‑hour lithium‑polymer battery2

Design

The design of the 16-inch MacBook Pro model is a testament to Apple’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and style. With a unibody aluminum construction that is both lightweight and robust, these models exude a sense of modern elegance.

The MacBook Pro’s design is not just about looks though. It’s also about functionality. The Touch Bar above the keyboard, for instance, transforms the way you interact with your device by providing quick access to frequently used tools and shortcuts. Whether you’re working on a presentation or a project, the Touch Bar empowers you to be more productive and creative.

When it comes to color options, the 16-inch MacBook Pro i5 offers a choice between Space Gray or Silver. Each hue imbues the device with its own distinct character. The Space Gray MacBook Pro, with its professional look, is perfect for work, while the Silver MacBook Pro, with its classic design, gives you that indistinguishable Apple look. Whether you’re a creative professional or a casual user, the MacBook Pro has a design that will meet your needs.

Battery Life

With a lithium-polymer battery that can last up to 11 hours on a single charge, the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model gives owners plenty of time to work without having to plug in. It’s also important to keep in mind that battery life may vary based on the configuration and model selected. Higher-end model equipped with an 8-core Intel Core i9 CPU likely consumes more power than the entry-level model equipped with a 6-core Intel Core i7 processor.

The laptop has a quick-charging feature that can recharge the battery by up to 50% in as little as 30 minutes. This is especially helpful for folks who are constantly on the road and need a quick recharge to keep functioning.

Overall, the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model’s battery life and fast-charging features enable users to complete demanding activities and work long hours without having to pause and recharge.

Processors

The MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model provides an assortment of processor options, all from Intel’s 9th generation Core processor lineup. The base model is powered by a 2.6GHz 6-core Intel Core i7 processor, which undoubtedly offers satisfactory performance for the majority of users. Those seeking more performance could upgrade to the 2.3GHz 8-core Intel Core i9 processor, which provides unparalleled speed and performance. At the top of the heap; the most demanding buyers could configure their laptop with a 2.4GHz 8-core Intel Core i9 processor, which undoubtedly delivers the best performance among the three. All of these processors are built on Intel’s Coffee Lake architecture and are equipped with Turbo Boost technology, which maximizes performance, ensuring that you can work smarter and faster, without sacrificing quality or functionality.

Based on Geekbench 5 scores, the 16-inch MacBook Pro 2019 model, furnished with the 8-core Intel Core i9 processor boasts a single-core score of around 1000-1200 and a multi-core score of around 7000-8000, which is undeniably impressive and assures that the laptop can handle the most demanding tasks with ease. The 6-core Intel Core i7, on the other hand, still packs a punch with a single-core score of around 900-1100 and a multi-core score of around 5500-6500. It’s worth noting that the Geekbench 5 scores can be influenced by other factors such as the amount of RAM and type of storage installed, so it’s essential to take this into consideration when making a purchase.

Graphic Memory

The MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model packs a powerful punch with its graphic engine, setting it ahead of other laptops in its class. That’s right, it’s equipped with an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M or 5500M graphics card, depending on your specific configuration. And let me tell you, these options are designed to deliver some serious high performance and speed. It’s the perfect choice for all your graphic design, video editing, and gaming fanatics out there.

The AMD Radeon Pro 5300M or 5500M graphics card provides lightning-fast and buttery-smooth rendering of complex images, animations, and video content. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill graphics card. It’s made possible by its advanced architecture, which features a high-bandwidth memory and high-performance compute units. Plus, it’s optimized for Metal, Apple’s graphics technology that provides SUPER low-level access to the GPU, enabling it to absolutely crush it in graphic-intensive tasks.

And get this, the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model’s graphic engine is also designed to support external displays up to a mind-boggling 6K resolution. This makes it the ideal laptop for all you creative professionals who require a high-resolution display to work with large, detailed images.

But, like all good things, there is a downside. The graphic engine can generate some serious heat, especially when running some of those sweet, sweet graphic-intensive applications. This can cause the fans to start spinning, resulting in some noise. The MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model’s cooling system is top-notch and will keep your laptop at a reasonable temperature, even during the heaviest of uses.

Display

The display of the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model stands out and offers a superb viewing experience. Creative experts favor it for its True Tone technology, excellent contrast ratio, and wide viewing angle.

The display of the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 edition is a visual feast that will wow you. The 16-inch Retina display on this laptop offers a resolution of 3072 x 1920 pixels, producing clear and vibrant visuals. The display also boasts an impressively wide color gamut that makes it possible for it to replicate true-to-life, brilliant colors.

The display on the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model is fitted with True Tone technology, which modifies the white balance to match the lighting conditions, improving the viewing experience and easing eye strain. The display’s high contrast ratio also means that light and dark colors can be distinguished clearly, giving pictures and videos a more realistic appearance.

With a maximum brightness of 500 nits, the display on this laptop is incredibly bright, making information visible even in areas with strong lighting. Moreover, the display has a wide viewing angle, so even when viewed from off-center angles, the colors are true and vibrant.

Storage

For your storage requirements, the 16-inch MacBook Pro 2016 offers a range of storage options, starting with a base model that offers 512GB of storage. For individuals who deal with large files, like photographers and video editors, you may upgrade to 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or even an incredible 8TB of storage.

The storage of the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model uses solid-state drives as opposed to conventional hard disks (SSDs). As a result, storage is quicker, quieter, and stronger. The laptop’s storage is more dependable and swifter than it would be with a conventional hard drive because there are no moving elements that could malfunction.

Also, the storage on the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 model is very safe. It has Apple’s T2 Security Chip, which instantly encrypts your data to guard against illegal access. This guarantees that your data is secure even if your laptop is stolen or lost.

The 2019 MacBook Pro 16-inch model’s storage does, however, have a drawback. Because it can’t be upgraded by the user, you must decide how much storage you need when you buy the laptop and cannot do it after purchase. Despite this, most users will be able to select a configuration that meets their needs due to the variety of storage options available.

16-inch MacBook Pro 2019 i7 vs i9 – Which is the better deal?

Pound for pound the performance difference between the i7 and i9 MacBook Pro vis a vis the price is not too different. Unless you are planning to do some heavy lifting – rendering, video encoding, or any task that requires some serious computing, you won’t notice any big difference in their performance. The Geekbench 5 scores show this with the 6-core Intel Core i7 posting a single-core score of around 900-1100 and a multi-core score of around 5500-6500. While the 8-core Intel Core i9 processor shows a single-core score of around 1000-1200 and a multi-core score of around 7000-8000.  

Whatever your choice, the MacBook Pro 16-inch still remains to be a potent laptop even by today’s standards. If you’re looking for a bargain, you could check our refurbished MacBook pros for the best deals. 

Ronald Uy

Ronald, a tech writer at Techable for three years, merges his passion for technology with a creative edge. His articles blend technical insights with captivating storytelling, captivating readers with informative yet engaging content. Beyond his tech pursuits, Ronald channels his creativity into photography and digital art, making a multifaceted impact on both the tech industry and creative circles alike.

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