Funny that people say Mac's aren't for gaming . . .

[contoursvt]

Should be noted that the graphics speed is not only critical in games but 3D applications such as Maya, Lightwave..etc. Those will benefit from a faster 3D card as well so by apple not providing current up to date video cards, pro applications also will suffer - now I dont know how much that matters to most but just wanted to point out that its not only games either.

I'm sure an 8800GTS will be faster than an X1900XT in 3D apps too and these cards are not priced too far apart - one is just a lot older.

 

[panzer06]

I am a long-time UNIX guy. Mac OS was never on my radar until the UNIX-based OS X was released...and I still never seriously considered purchasing one until the low-cost G4 mini's made their debut. I ditched the kids' linux boxes and got them each a mini, bought a mini for myself, and bought the wife a G5 iMac.

Post Intel transition...my kids have a CS mini and my wife has my "old" 1st gen Macbook. Currently, I have a thinkpad X60s with Ubuntu over here in the desert.

My wife and kids love iTunes and all the great multimedia "things" they can do with iLife. My kids have a wide range of educational software available to them (that was always the big issue when they used linux). However, even though I like the idea of those tools, more often then not, when I'm in front of a Mac, I'm staring at a couple of xterm windows and a web browser. And these days, Xen suits my virtualization needs far better than Parallels.

The funny thing is...while contemplating what new computer I will treat myself to when I get home from Iraq, the only real reason I'm wanting a Mac is FOR games! (specifically, Madden '08 (when it is released), World of Warcraft, and the upcoming StarCraft 2) I DO really like OS X's GUI, but for the most part, linux suits my needs perfectly.

So, count me as someone that will be purchasing a new Mac BECAUSE of games...not in spite of them.

I too bought my Macbook Pro to play Windows games and to work. Wanted one machine that could do it all. The new 2.2 with 8600M GT (even with the 128MB version, Windows allocates up to 384MB additional system ram as needed) works great with Company of Heroes, AOE III and C&C3 on Windows XP. I have not tried Vista on the Mac yet.

My children and grandchildren love to play RTS games so I carry my MBP when I visit them.

BTW, I have a son & son-in-law in the Air Force and Navy respectively (neither have had to server in Iraq) and thank all of the members of our armed forces for their service to their country. God bless you and your comrades in Iraq. May circumstances allow you to come home safe to your family soon.

Cheers,

 

[aliquis-]

Well, guess I could say the same, I would be just as fine with FreeBSD + KDE as with OS X if it wasn't for games (and professional commercial apps), so yes, sort of, but they still suck compared to Windows machines for gaming, and that is the comparision most people does.

 

[GFLPraxis]

When was the last time you looked at Apple's RAM prices? They're an outright insult!

Oh, I agree there; but amazingly, I've seen other PC manufacturers charge MORE!

But the RAM is easily user-replaceable. Overpriced RAM and overpriced machines are very different things.

 

[progx]

There was a lot of ranting in there, but very little to do with the point.

Unless Apple's going to include XP or Vista onboard to make Bootcamp cheaper and easier, very few of us Macheads are actually going to shell out the cash to buy a legit copy of Windows for games on a new Mac. We'd just buy a Wintel box and let it be (I for one don't want to hear about anyone's forays into software piracy, speaking of unspoken third options).

So, the topic was about reasons people think Macs aren't good for gaming. With Bootcamp it makes moot the whole argument that there are no games for Mac. It may not be a cheap solution, but it exists. It's available.

So now it's a question of price/performance ratio. I can get behind the call for a gaming Mac, as was brought up earlier in the thread. There's plenty of opportunity to complain if Apple goes 3-4 months without such a Conroe beastie.

About 10 years is the source of the big problem, but there aren't a lot anymore. Games are coming, just be patient. Hopefully more native ones, I don't know about this Cider technology, it doesn't sound like a true experience. Eh, what the hell, right?

 

[overcast]

Oh, I agree there; but amazingly, I've seen other PC manufacturers charge MORE!

lol no you haven't.