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2011 MBA, Has Apple listened to gamers?
- Thread starter Oppressed
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Depends on what kind of games you play. The MBA is still underpowered for "hardcore" gaming though.
The graphics stats are a scam. Pro Intel fanboys turn the graphics down to the lowest settings on the 2010 Air and then run tests and proudly proclaim "look, the Intel graphics are almost as fast as NVidia's."
... Even the 13" 1500 dollar macbook pro got Intel HD Graphics 3000, so I don't understand why some ppl thought they would get something else on 1/2 thinner computer
because last generation had something else on a 1/2 thinner computer?
I am with you.
The protection/defense of Intel is almost as great as it is of Apple. It is quite disgusting in my opinion.
I want to see real world usability reports though. Yes, we know on the 13" MBA the CPU will be faster but what is it losing in capabilities.
Even though the MBA may not be the ideal gaming Mac, it was very capable for all graphics purposes on the Nvidia-based MBAs. Part of the MBA's success has been the Nvidia GPU.
While I understand not everyone needs graphics performance, I don't understand the lack of concern for the future or even lack of desire to see real world reviews before buying this new model.
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptop/apple-macbook-air-13-2011.aspx?mode=benchmarks
These results are shocking to say the least. I've fallen down the rabbit hole and into a land of madness!
These results are shocking to say the least. I've fallen down the rabbit hole and into a land of madness!
When driving I carry the Alienware & my Mac but for flying the Air is awesome. It's nice to have the option to play a quick game. I used to play SC2 on my MBA when traveling. It was passable but took up 10GB of my 64GB drive. Balancing thin and light with moderate gaming is a no win for Apple.
I just sold my 11" MBA yesterday and will stick with the MBP with Bootcamp as a good compromise.
Cheers,
Good God, I had no idea they out intel GPU's in the MBA's hahahahahaha.
I love to play GTA SA and VC on my Nvidia 11.6 MBA and it plays really well. I can max the settings on both with no lag. I would rather have the Nvidia then the back-light keyboard but both would be the best.
I love to play GTA SA and VC on my Nvidia 11.6 MBA and it plays really well. I can max the settings on both with no lag. I would rather have the Nvidia then the back-light keyboard but both would be the best.
May need to hold your breath on this one. Some reports are showing the 2011 model as being as good and in the 13 inch model sometimes better than the 2010 model.
I just saw that on the home page. Do those tests measure everything or strictly Processors? There is no doubt that the new processors are much faster.
What??
3000!! that is like almost 10 times better than 320 -- what are you talking about...it is THREE THOUSAND!
Edit: Okay, I am joking here. I'm really not an idiot. It is Intel Integrated Graphics 3000 HD, which uses part of your system RAM as video memory, and it is slightly slower than the 320M. It is always better to have discrete graphics, but Apple is on their merry-go-round ride with intel right now.
3000!! that is like almost 10 times better than 320 -- what are you talking about...it is THREE THOUSAND!
Edit: Okay, I am joking here. I'm really not an idiot. It is Intel Integrated Graphics 3000 HD, which uses part of your system RAM as video memory, and it is slightly slower than the 320M. It is always better to have discrete graphics, but Apple is on their merry-go-round ride with intel right now.
The 3000 is much worse than the 320m in Windows (with much worse driver support too) and a little faster in OSX with much better driver support. This has been known forever, just check out MBA 13" reviews.
Edit: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4205/the-macbook-pro-review-13-and-15-inch-2011-brings-sandy-bridge/18
Thats a review of the 13" MBP. Same graphics card but a faster processor so CPU bound games like Starcraft 2 will likely be worse on the new MBA while easier games like Source based games should be consistent.
Edit: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4205/the-macbook-pro-review-13-and-15-inch-2011-brings-sandy-bridge/18
Thats a review of the 13" MBP. Same graphics card but a faster processor so CPU bound games like Starcraft 2 will likely be worse on the new MBA while easier games like Source based games should be consistent.
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What??
3000!! that is like almost 10 times better than 320 -- what are you talking about...it is THREE THOUSAND!
Edit: Okay, I am joking here. I'm really not an idiot. It is Intel Integrated Graphics 3000 HD, which uses part of your system RAM as video memory, and it is slightly slower than the 320M. It is always better to have discrete graphics, but Apple is on their merry-go-round ride with intel right now.
Actually, It's 9.375. Learn your graphics cards noob!!!!