Apple 2021 MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1 Max chip with 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) - Silver (Open Box)

I tend to use my laptops a LOT, and I could probably be more gentle with them, so I tend to wear them out before they would otherwise need replacement... Leading to this being my 4th MacBook Pro. (It would be helpful if Apple could make better keyboards, but that's outside what I can control.) My last one, a mid-2019 model, had the Touch Bar (which I hated) but the "improved" keyboard which worked well until it began failing one key at a time. I was finally driven to replace it when other problems began to occur. This "new" MacBook Pro is, so far, a definite improvement on its last 2 predecessors. -- KEYBOARD: It took a day or two for me to get used to the feel of the keyboard, but now I'm actually able to touch-type more easily than in the past and it's quiet enough for me to not bother anyone sitting on either side while I work. (It's also very nice to have all the keys work!) The fact that the Touch Bar has been replaced with "old fashioned" function keys is, for me, a major plus because I tended to accidentally activate commands on the Touch Bar when my fingers got too close (maybe I carry too strong an electrical charge?) without my being aware I might be touching it, so having actual physical keys that only react when I actually press them is wonderful. I miss the ability to easily adjust keyboard brightness on the keyboard (it was actually through the Touch Bar), but that's easily taken care of via the Menu Bar. -- SCREEN: The black "notch" at the top of the screen still looks a little odd, but does not affect me or my work negatively in any way; the narrow black bezel around the screen is especially welcome when watching movies or scrolling through social media in bed. Image resolution is very good and brightness is easily adjustable. -- PORTS/CONNECTIVITY: I'm a little torn about the change (from the mid-2019 model) in ports; I frequently find myself wishing I still had 2 USB-C ports on *both* sides but absolutely love the return of the original MagSafe power port (the damage protection of which I've accidentally availed myself of a couple of times already). As far as WiFi is concerned, I've had zero problems to date while connecting to devices in multiple locations. -- FORM FACTOR: After all these years I don't know why I'm always surprised at how hefty this laptop is, but the balance is good enough that it's not noticeable when resting on my knees in a doctor's waiting room. Also, although the edge of the body still seem sharp, this one doesn't seem as prone to leaving painful creases in my wrists & hands as the previous one did. -- OVERALL: I've been living inside the Mac ecosystem a long time; my first desktop unit was an SE30 and my first laptop a 1998 PowerBook G3, so I have a *lot* of Macs to compare this one to... and so far it's sitting very close to the top of my list. My only real argument is with the current version of MacOS, but that's a totally different can of worms. I know there are newer models of the MacBook Pro on the market, but (especially when looking at price) this is one I hope to be using through (at least) the 2020s.