New Macbook is IGP or GPU?

Hi im new to this forum. But I was just wondering whether the new Macbook (regular) 2.4 Ghz had a Integrated graphics card (IGP) or a Dedicated one (GPU). Also what is the difference between the two. Which one is better? From what I here GPU's are better. Your answers will heavily effect my decision on whether or not to buy the new macbook.

Another question I have is whether or not I can run Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 on the new Macbook. Anyone know?

If not anyone have recomendation to a PC that will be good for schoolwork and just those two games?

thanks

 

It has both. We're not too sure about the current system requirements for D3 and SC2, but I know from all my past blizzard experiences (bought warcraft 1 the first day it came out) that they know how to optimize games for lower end systems.

 

Ok so i just foundout that this is the graphic card on the new macbook. NVIDIA GeForce 9400M. Is this dedicated? My friend said it probably should be able to run DB3 and SC2 . Also do these games run on OSX?

Robbie I dont really understand how it is both. Do you mean that they offer both options to consumers?

 

I believe it's Integrated. Discrete (or GPU as you call it) is usually desirable from a performance perspective because it has it's own memory and doesn't share system memory (which is usually much slower than video memory). It does have one major drawback though and that is power consumption. Discrete graphics cards typically consume much more power than Integrated Graphics Processors.

Since the games you listed aren't out yet it's tough to say whether the Macbook can play them or not. Given Blizzards generally modest gaming requirements I would GUESS that there is a high likely hood it will be playable, although you might have to turn down some of the eye candy. Just a guess though.

 

It's integrated, but it's the fastest integrated graphics chip to date. Depending on what you want to run, it should be more than enough for you.

 

If you want to game get a pc for cheaper.

 

Technically, an IGP is a GPU as well, its also a graphic processing unit.

GPUs are divided into two categories, IGP (integrated graphics) and discrete graphics.

 

acruxksa: Good point, would you recommend buying a PC? If so what kind?

nizzy1115: same question

 

PC>> Macs for games.

Blizzard took a while to port some of its game to OSX.

 

It really depends what you want to do. There is a thread on here with a small questionnaire that you should fill out and post. This will give everyone an idea what you expect from your notebook and what kind of budget we're talking about, although since you mentioned the 2.4Ghz Macbook your budget sounds high enough to meet just about any requirement you might need.

 

Here is what I posted on the section : what laptop I should buy. But no one bothered to respond.


My main dilema is whether to get the new macbook 2.4ghz or a PC.

1) What is your budget? 1500

2) What size notebook would you prefer?


c. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
d. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen

3) Where will you buying this notebook? You can select the flag of your country as an indicator.
America, On the internet probably, but if I buy the new Aluminum 2.4 Ghz Macbook it will be at my University Book store.

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
a. Like: HP, b/c they are cheap and can do a lot, Macbook b/c they are virus free, organization handy, and very nice looking.
b. Dislike: Macbook cant play a lot of games.
5) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook? School work and Video games. Not hardcore games like Crysis, but like Blizzard games such as Warcraft 3 and the upcoming Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3. I believe all blzz games are operable under OS X system. I think.

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?
Both.

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games or types of games? Starcraft 2, Warcraft 3, Diablo 3

8) How many hours of battery life do you need? 5 hours

9) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK? Before purchase

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc. meh i dont really care

Screen Specifics

11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

c. WSXGA+ – 1680x1050; The middle ground. Again, text and icons are smaller than WXGA+, and more stuff fits onto the screen. Good for having applications open side by side, like a web browser while playing a video.

12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen? No preference

Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? Somewhat, but it doesnt really matter either.

14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last? Laptop will last two years. I will buy online or at University Book store if I get new 2.4ghz macbook.

Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you want; 80GB to 500GB? Do you want a SSD drive? 250gb

16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive? CDRW/DVD-ROM

 

gguan,
Check out the following thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=29271

It's got everything you need to know to get some help on here. While I know quite a bit about the laptops I've owned, there are just too many out there to know what's best sometimes. This forum has A LOT of good people who've got experience with a bunch of different laptops so if you fill out the questionnaire and post it I'm confident we will be able to narrow it down to a couple choices.


Your fast! Probably should post it in the "What laptop should I buy" section

 

haha thanks. Im just really inquisitive about this right now. But you realize that I just posted that questionare on top of your post. And i already posted on " new laptop buy " section, but i will do it again.

Thanks for your help.

 

If you've already posted it in the new laptop buy section, you will definitely get some suggestions. I'm pretty confident the Macbook will play the games you listed, although you may have to dual boot windows to do it. If you don't want to deal with dual booting you should probably be looking for a Windows laptop. It will probably save you a few $$$ as well. I've owned PC's exclusively for 2 decades and bought a new aluminum macbook because there's just something intriguing about a laptop chassis that's machined from a solid block of aluminum. The only game I play is WoW though so gaming really isn't an issue for me.

 

macbook is enough for that games,it even can play Crysis.

 

Yea, I actually heard that WoW run pretty well on the new macbooks. I used to play WoW and heard they ran somewhat efficently on the old 2.0Ghz white mac books. anyways What is dual boot? Is that when you run Windows on mac?

Also I hear Mac customer service is just so good that it is like a lifetime warranty with them. So the extra $$ you pay is somewhat covered.

 

Not to be a troll, but somebody lied to you! Their service is spotty and varies by individual experience. When my Titanium G4's firewire port died they wanted me to cough up $600 to replace the mainboard. When my mom's Macbook started turning yellow, they scoffed when i suggested that they should replace the defective plastics. However, when my iPhone's charger brick died...the geniuses (without an appointment) just exchanged the dead one for a new in box one. They didn't ask for my phone's serial number or anything.

 

OK so now the NEW question is whether it is worth the buck. I would love to save money.

 

Actually,you can get cheaper model and save money

 

for gaming you could get a way more powerful PC laptop for 1500 dollars with at least a performance range dedicated video card