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Graphics Card Question

T

Tá Sé feár

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 28, 2008
7
0
I will be buying a Macbook in a few weeks. Most likely it won't be a Pro, though that's what I'd prefer, due to budgetary issues. I was wondering what gaming prospects are like on the regular Macbook. If there are none at all then I'll accept that and just stick with my 360 but are there any hopes at all?

I only like to game casually so I'm not going to be complaining that it doesn't have top quality frame-rate or any some such. I like games like Morrowind, Call 0f Duty, the Final Fantasies (including the newer ones) etc.

What are my prospects of playing them on a regular Macbook?
 
Thought so, I take it upgrading to an proper graphics card later is out of the question|:eek:
 
Tá Sé feár said:
Thought so, I take it upgrading to an proper graphics card later is out of the question|:eek:
Click to expand...

No, there wont be any swiping out of GPUs.:(

You can still game if you do bootcamp on the Macbook, but it will be limited. Do a search here on the forums, there are several threads detailing what works for some people. Make sure the thread covers the newer macbooks, not the older ones with even slower integrated graphics.

Even on the PC side some games say that they don't officially support laptop graphics, but you can still run them just don't expect support from game publisher.

Good luck.:cool:
 
You do have SOME game support--and running Windows is not needed:

* Older 3D titles may run fine. UT2004 for instance, with detail/quality set low, runs fine and is a lot of fun with many user-built maps and mods. Check for reports about any specific game you are after.

* 3D shareware titles, being a bit simpler than big-name titles, may run great. World of Padman (free) looks VERY good at high detail (just use 16-bit textures) and runs well. Hordes of Orcs runs fine too. There are many others.

* 3D games that aren't twitch-based and speed-dependent may be fine: some games won't refuse to play on Intel gtraphics, they just won't play with smooth animation. For a strategy game that can be OK.

* Newer engines are OK in simple situations: I can run Prey (demo) with bump mapping and specular reflections (at low screen res) and it looks very nice. But only for 1v1 LAN fun with a friend. In a bigger firefight or single-player battle it slows down unacceptably. So if you like LAN gaming, consider demos of newer-engine games but don't pay for the full product.

* The vast array of 2D games will be fine. (Arcade, puzzle, strategy, whatever.)

Bascially, try different games and see what meets your personal standards of performance/quality. Do play with all the quality settings, because sometimes one certain setting makes a BIG speed difference and surprisingly little visible difference.

Don't expect to be playing recent big-name high-detail 3D titles though.

(I game on my MacBook Air, which is just a tad slower than your MacBook. World of Padman and UT2004 are recommended--but don't judge by the UT2004 demo--it's not Intel-ready. The latest patch for the real game is.)
 
Cheers anyway sure I guess I'll have to stick with the 360, with online gaming on that now sure guess it won't make too much of a difference.
 
Graphics Card

I have a Intel Macbook 2.2Ghz, 4GB RAM and 120GB HDD. I find that all the specs of my Macbook is suitable for running most games, however due to my graphics card, there is no way i can run the games, such as COD 4 on the Windows platform.
 
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