MacBook Pro A2289 Review: A Compact and Relevant 13" Apple Laptop
MacBook Pro A2289, i5-8257U, 8GB LPDDR3, 512GB SSD, Intel Iris Plus 645, 13.3" Retina. Sleek, high-performance Apple laptop for creative professionals.
Introduction
The MacBook Pro A2289 is a 13.3-inch professional-grade laptop from Apple, designed for students, creative professionals, and business users who prioritise portability without compromising on performance. Equipped with the 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8257U processor, 8GB LPDDR3 RAM, and a 512GB SSD, this MacBook Pro combines Apple’s renowned build quality with the Retina display for sharp and vivid visuals.
Even in 2025, the MacBook Pro A2289 remains a popular choice in the refurbished market, providing a compact, lightweight, and reliable computing experience. While it cannot match the raw performance of newer M-series MacBooks, its combination of design, performance, and Retina display makes it a strong contender for everyday productivity, media consumption, and creative work.
This review explores the MacBook Pro A2289’s specifications, design, display, performance, keyboard, battery life, connectivity, and relevance in 2025, as well as a comparison with similar laptops in the 13-inch category.
Specifications Overview
| Feature | MacBook Pro A2289 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8257U, 8th Gen, 4 cores |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR3 |
| RAM Expansion | No |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| SSD Expansion | No |
| GPU | Intel Iris Plus 645, Integrated |
| Display | 13.3 inches, 2560×1600 Retina, 60Hz |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Dimensions | 30.41 × 21.24 × 1.56 cm |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Ports | 2× Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), Audio Jack |
Design and Build Quality
The MacBook Pro A2289 continues Apple’s tradition of premium build quality. Crafted from aluminium, the chassis feels rigid, durable, and highly portable. At 1.4 kg and 1.56 cm thin, it is ideal for commuters, students, and professionals who need a compact laptop that slips easily into backpacks and briefcases.
The sleek and minimalistic design, combined with a retina display and slim bezels, provides a modern and professional aesthetic. The hinge mechanism is smooth and sturdy, allowing the display to remain stable during use.
Compared to older MacBook models, the A2289 is lighter, more refined, and more portable, making it one of Apple’s best options for users seeking a balance between performance and mobility.
Display
The 13.3-inch Retina display of the MacBook Pro A2289, with a resolution of 2560×1600, offers sharp text, crisp images, and vibrant colours. This high-resolution panel enhances productivity by allowing more content on the screen and reduces eye strain during long working hours.
The display supports True Tone technology, providing accurate colours for creative work, design, and media consumption. While the 60Hz refresh rate is standard, the screen’s quality and colour accuracy make it highly suitable for professionals, students, and casual users alike.
Compared to typical 13-inch laptops with lower resolutions, the Retina display ensures superior clarity, brightness, and overall viewing experience.
Performance and Everyday Usage
Powered by the Intel Core i5-8257U processor and 8GB LPDDR3 RAM, the MacBook Pro A2289 delivers solid performance for everyday computing tasks. Users can comfortably run office applications, web browsers with multiple tabs, video conferencing tools, and multimedia software without noticeable slowdowns.
The 512GB SSD ensures fast boot times, rapid application launches, and smooth file access, enhancing the overall user experience. Intel Iris Plus 645 graphics allow for light photo and video editing, media streaming, and support for external displays through Thunderbolt 3 ports.
While the MacBook Pro A2289 is not designed for high-end gaming or heavy rendering workloads, its combination of processor, RAM, and SSD provides reliable performance for professionals, students, and general users.
Keyboard and Trackpad
Apple’s MacBook Pro keyboards are renowned for their precision and comfort, and the A2289 is no exception. The scissor-switch mechanism delivers a responsive and tactile typing experience, allowing long typing sessions with minimal fatigue.
The trackpad is spacious, smooth, and highly accurate, supporting macOS gestures like scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, and window switching. Users can easily navigate through applications and manage multiple tasks with confidence. The combination of keyboard and trackpad ensures a seamless and productive workflow.
Battery Life
The MacBook Pro A2289 provides impressive battery life, lasting up to 8-10 hours under light to moderate usage, including web browsing, document editing, and media playback.
The energy-efficient Intel processor and SSD contribute to reduced power consumption, making it ideal for professionals and students who need a portable device capable of lasting an entire workday. Refurbished units may show slight variations in battery health, but replacements are readily available.
Compared to modern ultrabooks, the A2289’s battery life remains competitive, offering a balance of performance and mobility.
Connectivity and Ports
The MacBook Pro A2289 includes two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, providing high-speed data transfer, charging, and support for external displays. Additionally, a 3.5mm audio jack is available for headphones or external speakers.
While the limited number of ports may require dongles or adapters for some users, Thunderbolt 3 compatibility ensures future-proofing and flexibility for various professional and personal workflows.
This compact port selection complements the laptop’s slim design while offering essential connectivity for modern productivity tasks.
Security and Reliability
Apple’s macOS provides robust security features, including biometric authentication through Touch ID (depending on configuration), encryption, and advanced malware protection. The A2289’s aluminium unibody ensures durability and protects against everyday wear and tear.
For students, professionals, and freelancers seeking a reliable and secure laptop, the MacBook Pro A2289 provides a stable and secure platform for work and study.
Why the MacBook Pro A2289 Still Matters in 2025
The MacBook Pro A2289 continues to be relevant due to:
- Compact and lightweight 13.3-inch form factor
- High-resolution Retina display for crisp visuals
- Reliable Intel Core i5 performance with 8GB RAM
- Fast 512GB SSD storage for quick access to files
- Thunderbolt 3 ports for future-proofed connectivity
- macOS ecosystem for productivity and creativity
Refurbished units remain a cost-effective and dependable solution for those seeking a portable MacBook without the premium price of the latest M-series models.
Comparison with Similar Laptops
| Feature | MacBook Pro A2289 | Dell Latitude 7420 | Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 | HP EliteBook 840 G8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5 8th Gen | Intel Core i5 11th Gen | Intel Core i5 11th Gen | Intel Core i5/i7 11th Gen |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR3 | 16GB DDR4 | 16GB DDR4 | 8-16GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD | 256GB SSD | 256/512/1TB SSD |
| GPU | Intel Iris Plus 645 | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel Iris Xe | Intel Integrated UHD |
| Display | 13.3", 2560×1600 Retina | 14", 1920×1080 | 13.3", 1920×1080 | 14", 1920×1080 |
| Touchscreen | No | No | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.4 kg | 1.36 kg | 1.26 kg | 1.32 kg |
| Ports | 2× Thunderbolt 3, Audio | USB-C, USB-A, HDMI | 2× Thunderbolt 4, USB3, HDMI | USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet |
| Battery Life | 8-10 hours | 6-7 hours | 6-7 hours | 6-7 hours |
| Price (Refurbished) | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Analysis: The MacBook Pro A2289 offers superior display resolution, lightweight portability, and macOS ecosystem benefits compared to similar Windows laptops. While it has less RAM and fewer ports, its Retina display, performance, and design make it highly suitable for creative work and productivity.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Sharp 13.3-inch Retina display
- Lightweight and portable design
- 512GB SSD ensures fast performance
- macOS ecosystem for productivity and creativity
- Thunderbolt 3 ports for high-speed connectivity
Cons
- Limited ports may require adapters
- RAM cannot be upgraded
- Integrated graphics restrict heavy gaming or rendering
- Battery life, while good, is lower than some ultrabooks
Why Buying Refurbished Makes Sense
Purchasing a refurbished MacBook Pro A2289 is an economical choice. Refurbished units are tested, cleaned, and often include upgraded SSDs or batteries, ensuring reliability and performance similar to new laptops.
Students, freelancers, and professionals benefit from affordability without compromising on Apple’s signature design, Retina display, or build quality. Refurbishing also contributes to environmental sustainability by extending the life of premium hardware.
Conclusion
The MacBook Pro A2289 provides a compact, powerful, and portable 13.3-inch laptop that remains relevant in 2025. With its Retina display, reliable Intel Core i5 performance, 512GB SSD, and macOS ecosystem, it offers an excellent balance of productivity, portability, and value.
For students, creative professionals, and business users seeking a cost-effective MacBook, refurbished units offer an outstanding option with Apple’s renowned design and reliability.
FAQs
Q: Is the MacBook Pro A2289 suitable for students in 2025?
A: Yes, it handles office applications, research, online learning, and creative tasks efficiently.
Q: Can it handle light photo or video editing?
A: Yes, the Intel Iris Plus 645 graphics support light multimedia editing and playback.
Q: Can the RAM be upgraded?
A: No, the 8GB LPDDR3 RAM is soldered, but sufficient for most productivity tasks.
Q: How long does the battery last?
A: Typically 8-10 hours, depending on usage and battery health.
Q: Is buying refurbished recommended?
A: Yes, it provides excellent value, performance, and portability at a lower cost than newer models.
