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    Operating Systems for Mac

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by TillTheMan, Jan 30, 2011.

  1. TillTheMan

    TillTheMan Newbie

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    Ok so i recently got a macbook air and have been downloading some steam games. But the Mac only has like a tenth the games that windows does so besides bootcamping is their a way to gat an operating system on a mac that will run regular steam games? I have no preferences. Thanks in advance
     
    TillTheMan, Jan 30, 2011
    #1
  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Lithus, Jan 30, 2011
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  3. TillTheMan

    TillTheMan Newbie

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    Well is their a different operating system that will play the regular steam games?besides windows
     
    TillTheMan, Jan 30, 2011
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  4. dbam987

    dbam987 wicked-poster

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    You can try running Windows as a virtual machine on your Mac. There are two prominent virtualization software from VMWare and Parallels that provide graphics acceleration support for gaming.

    I use VMWare Fusion, but I hear that Parallels gives better performance. Some research may be needed on these tools.
     
    dbam987, Jan 30, 2011
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  5. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Every Steam game (every program in general) has system requirements that tell you what operating system you need to run it. You can find the system requirements of any game on Steam by going to its store page. The system requirements are usually the last thing on the page.

    Virtualization and gaming usually doesn't work too well. Too much overhead to expect good performance.
     
    Lithus, Jan 31, 2011
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  6. nemt

    nemt Notebook Deity

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    Well there's Mac OS and there's also Max OS X.

    Apple offers much variety.
     
    nemt, Feb 1, 2011
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  7. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    Heroes of Newerth is a Dota-style game that runs on Windows, OSX, and Linux. Fun as hell!
     
    ronnieb, Feb 1, 2011
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  8. Pirx

    Pirx Notebook Virtuoso

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    No. You should have done some research before buying that MBA. Essentially, Macs are only good for surfing the web at Starbucks, and maybe some light email reading; you know, anything you could do with your phone. If you need to get work done, or if you want to play games, you need a PC.
     
    Pirx, Feb 1, 2011
    #8
  9. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    Oh, snap!!!!
     
    gerryf19, Feb 1, 2011
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  10. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    To be honest, Pirx is right.

    -> That computer is possibly the worst portable computer ever "designed".
    I don't know if the person creating it was disillusioned as to what a portable computer is, but a computer that bends and has no interchangeable battery?
    Last I checked laptops were meant to be portable - I've been stuffing my SZ into my bag for university and 2,5 years on it's fine - a "air-thing" would have bent a few times... besides, batteries wear out over time, and what happens if you travel? You can't swap out the battery when the first runs out...

    On that note to the OP:
    Specwise that computer is just like an ultraportable (read Vaio TZ, TT) -> so as Pirx said, you won't really be able to do a lot except browsing the web and writing the odd document. Any games you'd want to play would have to be designed for a much older processor so that that mobile one stands a chance.
     
    DetlevCM, Feb 2, 2011
    #10