01-23-2009, 08:14 AM

Hi I'm new to these forums and would like some advice on Macs and Gaming.

I was thinking of buying a MacBook Pro at the end of March mostly for web development, but just recently I've been worried about how graphic intesive games will run on it.

I originally had a laptop in mind so I could use it at work but if a top of the range iMac is much better for playing games then I may consider them instead. I would love a Mac Pro, but once I've added some extra configoration to it and a monitor I fear it would be too expensive for me.

Are there any benchmarking sites out there that compare the performance of all the latest Macs?

Also what games run natively on the mac at the moment? Is running bootcamp and vista the best way to play games on a mac?

Had a look through the forums and found some useful reviews but nothing that answered these question.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Many thanks.

01-23-2009, 03:35 PM

Bootcamp is the only way to play non ported Mac games on your Mac machine.

Notebook gaming is blah, it's a nice novelty but it doesn't provide the power or the comfort a real gaming rig.

01-23-2009, 03:48 PM

A MacBook Pro should be able to handle most games fairly well. No notebook (short of those 10-lb Alienware monstrosities) will really do that well with most games, but the MBP's GeForce 9600M is not bad at all.

Thing is, few companies design computers with gaming in mind, and Apple is not one of them. Macs are just not meant for gaming. Although some Macs can run most games just fine, they don't do so in a very cost-effective manner. I wouldn't spend a huge amount of extra money on a Mac just to make sure it's better for gaming. That money is better spent toward a cost-effective gaming PC or a game console.

Macs are fine computers that can also handle games. They are not, however, gaming computers. You should buy a Mac based on your non-gaming needs.

One nice setup, if you're willing to spend $2000 on computer stuff, is a MacBook plus a gaming PC. You can buy a basic PC from Dell or HP and add an aftermarket video card, or you can put it together yourself, and it'll only cost $600 or $700. That leaves enough money left over for a MacBook. It won't be good for games, but it'll be fine for everything else. That gives you the best of both worlds. Also, like I said, you could get a console.

01-23-2009, 05:51 PM

I have a Macbook from a couple of years ago and I play WoW(which isn't a demanding game anyway) on it and the settings are turned down to low. Which I am fine with as I really don't care about graphics anyhow. The Macbook runs supper hot and the fan is quite loud and the battery dies fast.

Generally, laptops are great for gaming...thats my experience anyway.

03-05-2009, 07:27 AM

Forgive me for not replying sooner. I really appreciate the advice.

I already have an xbox which does entertain me a lot but there are a few games which I miss out on which are only available for the PC or have certain advantages over the console version.

I think I might go down the route that Mama Luigi suggested which is to build a custom PC for my gaming needs. I'll probably buy a Macbook based soley on my non-gaming needs and if I find that the games I want to play aren't support or don't work so well on it; I may put some money towards a custom built PC for my gaming needs.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback.