Is a Mac a viable gaming computer?

I know that the MBPs have respectable GPUs and can boot into Windows. Can anyone say if gaming with this setup is a good experience? I would be particularly worried about Windows compatibility, driver issues, graphics switching, and that retina display on games

 

your performance will die if you try to run games at native res (2880x1800)... you have to run lower res. There is no graphics switching in Windows, your stuck with the GU at all times, which is what you want for games anyways. If you referring to a 13" rMBP, well, that has no GPU and is a really poor at gaming.

 

Thanks for the response. Is the bootcamp experience pretty seamless? Does it require much hackery to be optimized well?

 

When using Boot Camp, Windows runs pretty much exactly the same way as it does on your standard Wintel notebook (save for the aforementioned lack of graphic switching, though in my mind that's actually a positive for the Mac). Apple provides a set of basic drivers to get things up and running, and you can also use stock AMD/NVIDIA software to keep the GPU up to date.

 

Technically, you can. Though beware of higher temperatures if you're gaming on a Windows Bootcamp. I'd suggest investing in a good laptop cooler if you want to.

 

Pretty much this

My experience is that you WILL need to use fan control software like lubbo's fan control to keep temps down. Sadly Apple has not been able to figure out a way to have the intel gpu to take control when you dont need the power of the nividia chip (depending on your model) As for gaming it's pretty damn good. Althought the only game i've tested at native rez was dark souls (with dsfix for better graphics) and it ran smooth with no issues. i have yet to try anything really demanding as im still hesitant about pushing a 3k laptop too far just yet.

 

I would not recommend it, the retina Macbook Pro gets very hot and throttles in most high-end games. If you're really into games buy a gaming laptop. If you're only talking occasionally or nothing strenuous then the MacBook will do.

 

Apple do not want their computers be too good Windows machines, they want to push their own software.
And if you don't want to push your computer why did you buy such an expensive machine? It's best to push it as far as possible in the beginning as it's easier to get service _if_ some component is marginal IMHO.

 

Macbook Pros are OK gaming computers. But we are talking 500 dollar level Dell performance.
But at WWDC we should see refreshed laptops. Laptops with discrete graphics should get GTX 760 graphics.

Bootcamp: Macbook Pro/ rMBP have won many awards as the best Windows laptops. Its exactly a windows laptop with UEFI. 7 years before mainstream windows had UEFI instead of 40 year old BIOS.

When I game on a GTX 650 I have to lower the resolution to 1650x1200 to get decent framrates in newer games.

When I run Max Payne in 2880x1440 I get 6FPS

I have over 30 year work experience with IT. I recommend everyone to buy a Mac exempt for gaming. If gaming is the main thing: get something else. I personally use Alienware as gaming laptop.

 

The New msi gt70 looks fantastic.

But I agree, forget hardcore gaming on an rmbp. You can do some lightweight stuff, but if it's your primary goal get a good Windows notebook.

 

All sounded fine until you said "use a alienware as gaming laptop"

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

I have a imac 27" with the top end gpu and gaming on bootcamp is my main thing! Great!!!!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

675MX is a good gpu. 650M in an rmpb is a nuclear reactor.

 

I have the 680mx so even better! Fair point on the 650m, didn't read the whole thread.....didn't realise he meant laptop.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

Considering that this is the NotebookReview forums, I would have thought that obvious.

 

Hmmm I hope the new haswell rMBP is worth it. the new specs on the 14" razer blade looks really good. got a 765m 2gb in it.

 

Doh! My homer moment. Thought I was on the macrumors site for a moment.....I blame tapatalk, I opened the wrong thread. I'm off.............

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta