Can you game well on powerbook?

jamestehrippa · 11-21-2006, 12:55 PM

I was wondering if Mac notebooks are good for gaming.
If yoou have any comments please share.

S.SubZero · 11-21-2006, 01:45 PM

Comedy "It's a MAC. *What* games?" answer.

Really, compared to a PC, a MAC is not a good gaming rig in any configuration. Even with dual-boot, their specs are pretty weak compared to a mid-range PC.

XJ. · 11-21-2006, 07:12 PM

Check some mac sites, e.g., MacGamer - Get In The Game

SpeedDMN · 11-21-2006, 07:31 PM

Right now anything with "integrated" graphics PC or Mac is not going to game well. You need a third party card like ATI (soon I am just going to type AMD) or Nvidia. This may change but for right now...

jamestehrippa · 12-05-2006, 11:53 AM

but with PCs there are laptops from brands like alienware that are meant for gaming... I thout when Mac are so powerfull for 3d graphics design and audio processing they could be good for games as well...
Thanks for your replies anyway

**k0NG0** · 12-05-2006, 01:19 PM

With new Intel-based Macs you can use Bootcamp and install XP and dual-boot to it and play games there. Then the 3D limitations would be the MacBook Pro which has the Mobility Radeon X1600.

S.SubZero · 12-05-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamestehrippa

but with PCs there are laptops from brands like alienware that are meant for gaming... I thout when Mac are so powerfull for 3d graphics design and audio processing they could be good for games as well...
Thanks for your replies anyway

3D graphics design and 3D gaming are two very different things.

The fastest video chipset you can get in a Powerbook, the Mobility X1600, is pretty mid-range in the PC laptop world. The Mobility 1800/1800XT and nVidia 7900GS, 7900GTX, 7950GTX would all run circles around it.

The absolute fastest video card you can put in a **DESKTOP** Macintosh is a X1900XT, which in the PC world is high-end but not the highest. It's not even the highest of it's generation.

3D rendering and graphics work doesn't always require a powerful videocard. Alot of that stuff all runs off the CPU.

Perc · 07-07-2007, 02:57 PM

This thread contains all sorts of misinformation.

1) Powerbooks were built around the PowerPC architechture. PowerPC macs can't run windows or any other x86 software natively, only through emulation.

2) The MacBook Pro, which completely replaced the Powerbook line of laptops like 1.5 years ago, used the X1600 in 128 and 256 MB form up until recently. The current generation uses the nVidia 8600M chipset with 128 or 256 MB.

4) The MacBook (not Pro) uses basic Intel GMA 950 video. Not good for gaming.

3) It's spelled Macintosh or Mac, not MAC. Mac is not an abbreviation.

Nothing prevents you from playing games on your Mac, but if you're looking for a gaming computer you're better off buying something else. The selection of mac games is limited (but not non-existant) and you can get much better gaming bang for your buck. You need to spend 2000 dollars to get a laptop mac that's capable of playing games properly since the cheaper models all have weak graphics.

Perc · 07-07-2007, 03:10 PM

Doesn't this forum have an edit feature? A few more things came to mind as soon as I hit the submit button.

A MacBook or MacBook Pro runs Windows just as well as any other core 2 duo laptop under the sun. You just need a software package called Boot Camp. It's available as a free download on apple.com.

Boot Camp contains a boot loader, a BIOS emulator (macbooks use EFI, not BIOS) and device drivers for XP and Vista. You also get all the necessary utilities to repartition your hard drive without wiping it clean.

If you don't want to reboot to use Windows you can get a virtualization app called Parallells Desktop. You can't use software that requires video performance (mainly moren games) but everything else will work just as fine as it would if you ran windows natively.

Perc · 07-07-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perc

You can't use software that requires video performance (mainly moren games)

Gah, that's "modern", not "moren". I'm a sloppy proof-reader because I'm used to being able to edit.

My "first post" on abxzone turned in to 3 posts in a row. Oh well.

SpeedDMN · 07-07-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perc

Doesn't this forum have an edit feature? A few more things came to mind as soon as I hit the submit button.

A MacBook or MacBook Pro runs Windows just as well as any other core 2 duo laptop under the sun. You just need a software package called Boot Camp. It's available as a free download on apple.com.

Boot Camp contains a boot loader, a BIOS emulator (macbooks use EFI, not BIOS) and device drivers for XP and Vista. You also get all the necessary utilities to repartition your hard drive without wiping it clean.

If you don't want to reboot to use Windows you can get a virtualization app called Parallells Desktop. You can't use software that requires video performance (mainly moren games) but everything else will work just as fine as it would if you ran windows natively.

Interesting that Mac has an emulator to run windows on it's machines on their web site (unverified by me). I doubt they would appreciate the ability to run Mac on a PC which there is though I don't know why anyone would want to. Boot loaders work both ways to run OS's natively.

Quote:

3) It's spelled Macintosh or Mac, not MAC. Mac is not an abbreviation.

I though it was spelled Smackantoss...?

**k0NG0** · 07-07-2007, 04:26 PM

I hear Parallels are busy working on getting DirectX wrestled into Parallels Desktop.

BTW, the edit button is below each post, next to the quote button.

Perc · 07-07-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k0NG0

BTW, the edit button is below each post, next to the quote button.

Not for me, I guess I don't have enough posts yet. I ony have have quote, multiquote and quick reply.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedDMN

Interesting that Mac has an emulator to run windows on it's machines on their web site (unverified by me).

It's not an emulator, it's just a partition utility, a boot loader and some windows hardware drivers. You multi-boot between OS X and windows just like you do on any other multi-boot computer.

Windows runs natively on intel macs, just like it would on any other computer with a x86 chip in it. The only emulation that happens is the BIOS emulation and that's only because Windows doesn't support EFI. I guess you could call it a boot loader rather than a BIOS emulator if you wanted to.

Boot Camp is a public beta for now but it will be built into the next version of OS X... 10.5, that is.

OS X is a niche OS after all and sometimes it might come in handy to be able to run software written for the other 95% of the desktop market. Some need to use windows on a regular basis, others couldn't care less.

It's in Apple's interest to make this as easy as possible, now that they're on x86. Many people were (and still are) put off buying macs simply because "they might need to run a windows app some day". I keep a parallels install of XP around just in case, but I never use it.

SpeedDMN · 07-07-2007, 05:10 PM

Makes sense.. I guess my only reservation is the double standard of Mac condoning and even giving instructions on how to run Windows on a Mac machine when running OS X on a PC is illegal and considered hacking even if you purchase the software. I'm surprised M$ hasn't got up in arms about it. Perhaps it's a trade off for Vista seriously ripping of OS X in at least terms of GUI. Hard to believe there were not any clandistine handshakes since Apple never sued M$ over that.. Perhaps I am missing something as I often do..

Perc · 07-07-2007, 06:45 PM

Microsoft is a software vendor, not a computer manufacturer. They're just happy to sell you a copy of their operating system, regardless if the computer you're going to run it on is made by Apple or Dell.

Apple on the other hand make their money from selling computers, not software. OS X is what makes a mac a mac, and they want it to stay that way. I don't blame them.

11-21-2006, 12:55 PM	#1
jamestehrippa Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 23	Can you game well on powerbook? I was wondering if Mac notebooks are good for gaming. If yoou have any comments please share.
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11-21-2006, 01:45 PM	#2
S.SubZero Vista x64 User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: California Posts: 1,265	Comedy "It's a MAC. What games?" answer. Really, compared to a PC, a MAC is not a good gaming rig in any configuration. Even with dual-boot, their specs are pretty weak compared to a mid-range PC. __________________ -SSZ
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11-21-2006, 07:12 PM	#3
XJ. ... Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NH, USA Posts: 6,077	Check some mac sites, e.g., MacGamer - Get In The Game __________________
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11-21-2006, 07:31 PM	#4
SpeedDMN Silicon Avatar Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 2,927	Right now anything with "integrated" graphics PC or Mac is not going to game well. You need a third party card like ATI (soon I am just going to type AMD) or Nvidia. This may change but for right now... __________________
(Offline)

12-05-2006, 11:53 AM	#5
jamestehrippa Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 23	but with PCs there are laptops from brands like alienware that are meant for gaming... I thout when Mac are so powerfull for 3d graphics design and audio processing they could be good for games as well... Thanks for your replies anyway
(Offline)

12-05-2006, 01:19 PM	#6
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,627	With new Intel-based Macs you can use Bootcamp and install XP and dual-boot to it and play games there. Then the 3D limitations would be the MacBook Pro which has the Mobility Radeon X1600. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Online)

07-07-2007, 02:57 PM	#8
Perc Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 6	This thread contains all sorts of misinformation. 1) Powerbooks were built around the PowerPC architechture. PowerPC macs can't run windows or any other x86 software natively, only through emulation. 2) The MacBook Pro, which completely replaced the Powerbook line of laptops like 1.5 years ago, used the X1600 in 128 and 256 MB form up until recently. The current generation uses the nVidia 8600M chipset with 128 or 256 MB. 4) The MacBook (not Pro) uses basic Intel GMA 950 video. Not good for gaming. 3) It's spelled Macintosh or Mac, not MAC. Mac is not an abbreviation. Nothing prevents you from playing games on your Mac, but if you're looking for a gaming computer you're better off buying something else. The selection of mac games is limited (but not non-existant) and you can get much better gaming bang for your buck. You need to spend 2000 dollars to get a laptop mac that's capable of playing games properly since the cheaper models all have weak graphics.
(Offline)

07-07-2007, 03:10 PM	#9
Perc Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 6	Doesn't this forum have an edit feature? A few more things came to mind as soon as I hit the submit button. A MacBook or MacBook Pro runs Windows just as well as any other core 2 duo laptop under the sun. You just need a software package called Boot Camp. It's available as a free download on apple.com. Boot Camp contains a boot loader, a BIOS emulator (macbooks use EFI, not BIOS) and device drivers for XP and Vista. You also get all the necessary utilities to repartition your hard drive without wiping it clean. If you don't want to reboot to use Windows you can get a virtualization app called Parallells Desktop. You can't use software that requires video performance (mainly moren games) but everything else will work just as fine as it would if you ran windows natively.
(Offline)

07-07-2007, 04:26 PM	#12
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,627	I hear Parallels are busy working on getting DirectX wrestled into Parallels Desktop. BTW, the edit button is below each post, next to the quote button. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Online)

07-07-2007, 05:10 PM	#14
SpeedDMN Silicon Avatar Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 2,927	Makes sense.. I guess my only reservation is the double standard of Mac condoning and even giving instructions on how to run Windows on a Mac machine when running OS X on a PC is illegal and considered hacking even if you purchase the software. I'm surprised M$ hasn't got up in arms about it. Perhaps it's a trade off for Vista seriously ripping of OS X in at least terms of GUI. Hard to believe there were not any clandistine handshakes since Apple never sued M$ over that.. Perhaps I am missing something as I often do.. __________________
(Offline)

07-07-2007, 06:45 PM	#15
Perc Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 6	Microsoft is a software vendor, not a computer manufacturer. They're just happy to sell you a copy of their operating system, regardless if the computer you're going to run it on is made by Apple or Dell. Apple on the other hand make their money from selling computers, not software. OS X is what makes a mac a mac, and they want it to stay that way. I don't blame them.
(Offline)

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