[aznmixer01]

Just wondering about Mac gaming.

I'm thinking about buying a macbook pro very soon but i wonder about the gaming.

If you got a mac and you want some pc games do you buy the mac version?

Can i pc version be play on mac using Bootcamp?

What about StreamPowered? can you play them using bootcamp?

I'm very new to mac and need guidance.

Thanks in advance.

[Scoops98]

If there are Mac versions of games, go with them for sure. There really isn't a huge Mac gaming market, so if you want to play most games (and cheaper versions) play your games in Windows running Boot Camp. Steam will work as Boot Camp is it is a fully bootable Windows partition.

If you can afford it, max the laptop out. It's nearly impossible to upgrade a laptop after-the-fact except for RAM and the the hard drive. Get the fastest CPU, best graphics card, and the fastest hard drive (7,200 RPM or SSD). RAM is far cheaper to purchase aftermarket.

Then, have fun! I'm envious that you are getting a new MacBook Pro. I want one!

[aznmixer01]

lol don't be envious since i'll be making monthly payments for this mac. too damn expensive!! I don't really notice any major different with a better CPU on windows. I don't know if it's the same with Mac. between the 2.53 and 2.8 is there that big of a difference?

the one i'm buying will be :
15-inch : 2.53GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
320hard drive 5400RPM
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics

I'm not a hardcore gamer but i think this specs can perform well with majority of the games on the market currently. Don't you agree?

[ALL DAY]

^If you're not hardcore, I don't think I would worry about 2.53 vs 2.8... Usually I would say "MAX IT OUT!" but a 2.8 Pro is expensive and the difference won't be very noticeable.

[Scoops98]

I know it's a bit of a stretch then, but get the mid-range 15". Even if you aren't a hard core gamer, the 9600M GT GPU will make a big difference. The faster hard drive also increases performance. The difference between CPU speeds isn't huge (you can get up to a 3.06 GHz), but the GPU makes all the difference. Don't forget, it's chaeper to add upgrades now then trying to do it later. A laptop is basically "you get what you get."

15" MacBook Pro:
2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
320 hard drive 7,200 RPM (extra US $50)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB

Total: US$ 2,049.00 (including 7,200 RPM HDD)

[ALL DAY]

Originally Posted by Scoops98

I know it's a bit of a stretch then, but get the mid-range 15". Even if you aren't a hard core gamer, the 9600M GT GPU will make a big difference. The faster hard drive also increases performance. The difference between CPU speeds isn't huge (you can get up to a 3.06 GHz), but the GPU makes all the difference.

15" MacBook Pro:
2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
320 hard drive 7,200 RPM (extra US $50)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB

Total: US$ 2,049.00 (including 7,200 RPM HDD)

This.

The only thing you could maybe do differently would be the 2.53 instead of the 2.66 processor, but this is a real good configuration, I concur.

[Scoops98]

The only way to get the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT is to get the 2.66 GHz. It's only available from that model and higher. The GeForce 9400M is just too basic to get a really good gaming experience.

[ALL DAY]

^Really? I thought all 15" Pros had both cards...

[Scoops98]

Nope. The base model doesn't: MacBook Pro - Apple Store (U.S.)

[ALL DAY]

Huh, weird. I could have sworn back in the day it used to be included.

[Scoops98]

I believe it used to, but not anymore. Those buggers! Sometimes it's so hard to keep up with what Apple does.

[ALL DAY]

True indeed, my man.

[aznmixer01]

Thanks for inputs guys. i really want to max it out but i'm on a tight budget. I wonder if i was to play Crysis using the config below would it be smooth?

15-inch : 2.53GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
320hard drive 5400RPM
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics

[ALL DAY]

^As long as it has both cards (integrated and discrete) you should be fine...

However you need to get at least the 2.66 processor to get both graphics cards...

[aznmixer01]

Just bought it and it delivers today.

15-inch: 2.66GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB Memory
320GB hard drive (7200RPM)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB

So excited to test it out today.