Forget PC comparisons. Imagine Apple’s own gaming console or gaming Apple TV!

[depaulsunny]

I think we can all admit that current gaming options on Apple TV is not great. you need third party controllers for anything serious, graphics are basic, and performance does not come close to Playstation/XBox.

Now imagine if Apple offered a Gaming Console with Apple Silicon. Or a Gaming Apple TV. I think Apple could kill dedicated console markets while immediately increasing the number of games available on the Mac platform addressing the #1 complaint for PC gamers not wanting to switch to Mac.

Apple silicon development would be easier for most game developers, would provide immediate access to all Apple devices from pro gaming on TV/Mac to on the go gaming on an iPhone, and would have the best performance of ANY device out there (assuming they provide dedicated graphics card support). Take a look at the current PlayStation and XBox specs below and compare for yourself against the current M1.

 

[itsOver9000]

Doubt it will ever happen. Apple doesn't seem to care much for gaming. They're potentially leaving a lot of money out there that they could be earning though..

The Video Gaming Industry is now estimated to be worth $159.3 Billion in 2020

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Pippin 2.

But since Apple cares as much about gaming, as I do about celery, i don't think it will happen.

 

[cal6n]

I dare say the next Apple TV will have its own dedicated Apple silicon processor. What that will be capable of is anyone’s guess, though.

 

[depaulsunny]

I think Apple does care about gaming. But haven’t had a good product possibility before Apple Silicon. Now, the possibilities are wide open.

 

[senttoschool]

I dare say the next Apple TV will have its own dedicated Apple silicon processor. What that will be capable of is anyone’s guess, though.

I think Apple does care about gaming. But haven’t had a good product possibility before Apple Silicon. Now, the possibilities are wide open.

You guys realize that Apple TVs have always used "Apple Silicon" right?

 

[depaulsunny]

You guys realize that Apple TVs have always used "Apple Silicon" right?

Touché. I should say that with M1 and the eventual unified ecosystem of processors, I see the dedicated gaming system as more of a possibility.

Of course Apple TV would have to change to beefier internals.

 

[cal6n]

You guys realize that Apple TVs have always used "Apple Silicon" right?

Of course, but they’ve effectively been repurposed mobile chips. That’s why I stated “dedicated” Apple silicon.

 

[pmiles]

They need to resolve the graphics part of the equation first. The reviews of the M1 thus far have been all over the board in regards to game graphics. Some things run fine, others not, some hiccup for no apparent reason whatsoever... they still haven't shown that they have made a chip comparable to a discreet GPU. Most video editors don't use GPUs in the same fashion that a video game does, thus we are still in the dark about how the GPU for gaming side of things is going to pan out.

 

[satchmo]

I think just upgrading it to A14 would be pretty good. Maybe not ps5 console competitive.

But given the modular architecture, couldn’t they drop in a modified A14 or M1 with an improved GPU?

 

[dasjati]

They definitely would have the hardware to make it work. I am sure we will see a really nice "G1" GPU in the next 3 to 6 months.

But so far Apple has shown only minimal interest in gaming as a business in my opinion. Apple Arcade is the only example that comes to my mind where Apple has done something actively about it. They like to show off performance of their Macs with games, but that's pretty much it. Compare that to their investment into Music or TV(+).

I personally would like them to be more invested in this, and expand Apple Arcade. I am not very optimistic about that though. There just doesn't seem to be anyone in the highest ranks who finds gaming an interesting business to be in.

 

[neinjohn]

Aren't the PS and Xbox sold with a loss on hardware?

Anyway, to be fancy and premium, I think a unified, modular home computing system joining some aspects of Apple TV, HomePod, Time Capsule and the MPX modules idea from Mac Pro would be great.

You buy a expandable "box". The initial product would be a home sound system (cool) with streaming capabilities (or only one of them). You can buy a closed box/module with a simple connector for gaming. Another module with router and/or memory and NAS.

Make it highly stylish and as small as possible thanks to great processing units with high performance for low wattage and heat.

Can always tweak around what is the initial product capacity or what which module brings though I think the expandable aspect is very important as the visibilty and obvious upgrade capacities can expand the market for things like NAS or routers (and likely easier to sell with privacy functions) which people don't even think much and cut the initial expense.

Make everything work super well with their device and unique features. Add a catch on the quality or capacity, by controlling hardware, to Apple TV, Music, Arcade, cloud (private cloud?) and expand their subscription services with a premium tier connected to use all on the fullest.

 

[UBS28]

Apple already has their own console with "Apple Silicon". It is called Apple 4K TV.

 

[Serban55]

We must see the first mac with their own custom made gpu next year, and if that has 2x or 3x better perf than the M1...than its there, not in the league with the high end gpu that are made for gaming but still, to have in a mac a custom gpu that draq a lot less power and still have over 7-8 teraflops in an 16" Mbp or 24" imac since the 5700 xt has around 9 teraflops...would be impressive