I am about to buy a new entry level macbook and I am curious if it is able to play games like upcoming Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3.Have checked most videos in youtube.com on games like COD4, Crysis, Team Fortress 2 and Red Alert. They all seem to run above 30fps and only Crysis at 25fps. I am not a hardcore gamer like i used to anymore but just gonna play medium quality graphics with starcraft 2 which i dont think will take a lot of computer popular (starcraft and diablo require very low quality for slower comps). Please advice as I am going to be buying one this weekend! CanT wait !

This post has been edited by mojoza: Nov 24 2008, 05:01 PM

I went from Alienware to Apple Macbook. If you're talking 8600m GT that is acceptable for gaming on MacBook. Heck u could install XP or Vista to play games (or actually must to play games that aren't available for Macs) but think again. If you're think gaming why Mac? Give me at least one solid reason why you choose Mac over PC if you're thinking gaming?

plus 2.0 just won't cut it. It will run definitely but yeah I was one of those who cares about 3dmarks and stuff but to be practical, if gaming is in my checklist, Mac wouldn't be on the top of the list.

Macs are never meant for gaming. NEVER. Even if you force it to, you'll end up busting your laptop as it generates too much heat. If you want to game on a laptop, go for alienware.

Coincidentally, my boyfriend tried to install Crysis on his sis's laptop (2.4GHz new alu mb)...and he got this message:

- Crysis does not support integrated graphics cards -

...ROFL

This post has been edited by Criollo: Nov 12 2008, 05:30 PM

Entry level macbook? as in the macbook white?

For gaming you're better of with desktop, seriously.

Please check youtube.com and type "macbook games" and you will see the performances.

Well I have PC and Mac, and i only play games once awhile so no need super strong computer.I guess i am getting old now hehe.

Why I prefer Mac is the build quality of macbook and OS X (HATE VISTA !! ALWAYS HANG!) .

PC laptops are ugly and cheap quality.....I was looking at BenQ S42 and Acer 5930G but ugly....and you know the feeling of buying another laptop which has the "same" feeling and looks?Its like why buy the same shiit again?

We are talking about the New Aluminium macbook not the white Macbook

Aluminium or not, the 9400M is not cut out to run games satisfactorily in my books. I have accepted that fact when I moved to a Mac. Nobody knows what the minimum requirements are to to run these two games you mentioned, and even if they are revealed, you dont want to be running them AT minimum requirement with details turned down and resolutions dropped way low. The enjoyment of a game diminishes , to me at least, when the eye-candy gratification is chipped away little by little, to make the game run acceptably.

mojozo,

we are talking the new Aluminium MacBook. Aluminium or not wouldn't make the GPU any better. It's 9400M for god sake it's not even mid-range GPU. So the answer is NO it wouldn't run on MEDIUM. You should be glad if it runs on LOW.

Please check notebookcheck.net and tell me how in this world a low-end GPU could run 10 most demanding graphic games of 2007.

Acer ugly is understandable, they target at low income buyers. But saying that BenQ S42 is ugly, you have very high standard, and you're not a Malaysian at heart. I find that some Sony and Toshiba notebooks can be uglier than Acer, especially the lower end models, but again, those are targeted at the same crowd as Acer. As to whether a notebook is shit, it is all in the glorious feeling you get when you're using it. I've been on Macs, desktop and notebook, for a good while now, and friend, I don't get that. Some may be enticed by Apple design, but to me it just looks a little bland. It's basically still the same boring design since the iBook days. Where's the innovation in this MacBook you speak of? Of course, the Nvidia 9400M video chip. Is it faster than notebooks with 8600M, such as BenQ S41 that's selling for 2699? No. Is it even close? Hardly. So, have fun with 5-20FPS Crysis framerate. And remember, this is at low to medium setting--mostly low actually, and at a screen size of 800x600.

You can't even install Crysis on a macbook .... @@

I am not planning to play any of those games anyway. I am just a strategy game player.I rather play with my PS3

yea.. if u want to play games, u really shouldnt choose Mac... that's what i thought too..

Actually i thought of having laptop for work and desktop for gaming another alternative is to buy Macbook Pro so i dont have to buy a desktop

macbook only good for light gaming... and none of it is in your list

if you want a decent gaming, get the new macbook pro, 9600 able to play at reasonable framerate

The Team Fortress 2 play very nicely in Macbook leh, check youtube

yea.

TS, u need to know that 9400M is still integrated card, just that it is much better if comparing to the intel GMA. As you mention those games, those games consider GPU intensive, especially 'Crysis' and you think any mobile can play smoothly le? You need 'Desktop' machine ok? lulz.

Well if you really already set your mind to get it, no one will stop you since its your money . I'd rather stick with desktop for gaming and laptop for work stuff since its mobile.

Also starcarft 2 and diablo 3 wont be out anytime soon. Starcraft 2 maybe sometime next year and diablo 3 will be in 2010 if we're lucky enough

Mac for gaming?
adui...

haha...got money buy desktop n mac lo....

my guess tat Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 wont be arriving within these few years, considering how Blizzard takes time to produce quality games in their history, Warcraft 3 as best example of how long they take their time

considering those new thing like DDR3 and 9400M, new MacBook will be suitable only for light gaming, games from older times or current lighter games will be able to perform nicely, playing NFS ProStreet or Carbon shud not be an issue...

but the games now will be able to play nicely, in the future when new game come out it wont be able to catch up, not to mention u dun have the option to upgrade ur Macbook "internal organ"

if ur rig were really meant for gaming, then i will really suggest tat get a desktop,
1. it is customisable
2. it is upgradable
both are important considering current and future requirement for gaming

9400M wont really be good for gaming, and it even share the ram with the system.
it is better to have a dedicated ram for the gpu itself rather than sharing it

if really wan to have portable gaming, get a PSP , or ipod touch

but still it is good that at least now MacBook has a better gpu than it predecessor, at least the new gpu can optimize HD video decoding, and prepare for the next release of OSX

This post has been edited by elico: Nov 13 2008, 01:02 AM

Can i add NDSL? =X

Even if for gaming i wouldn't recommend macbook pro. From experience even simple games like ... Big Fish game series will rack up your temp till the 70s - 80s. That will seriously shorten your laptop lifespan in the long run.

But if you are change your laptop every few years, i suppose it is ok =.=

Well, back to personal preferences again.

NDSL = King of portable gaming... check the statistics.
Ouendan is enough reason for anybody to buy NDSL.

mojoza,

actually that is a very good idea. I am not trying to bash you or anything. To be frank, I am using the combo solution. I have a desktop to furnish my gaming needs (Far Cry 2 is the only game I play since too busy), and I have the new MacBook to keep me mobile. For some games that are just better on console like Winning or Gears, then that would be ps3 and xbox.

So yeah try balance out the cost, you'll definitely get entry level Mac and tricked out desktop then just one MacBook Pro.

although this is off topic, but I still insist that let the gaming job done by gaming console!

I still in play Tiberium Wars on my new aluminium macbook. Really bz at work. No time to play games. Hehe.

Sorry out of topic.
anyone play Football Manager here? is it avble in Mac?were to get?
thats only game i play with the labtop..


just bought macbook pro. no pblem coz got xbox 360 oredi with 24inch samsung lcd mnitor.. with the hdmi cable the graphic is ...... walllaaaa!!!

the MBP works great on gaming but u gotta install windohs
u can try crossfire-games. but ive tried i dun like it... i cant see when the MEDIC ubers someone hahaha... no glow...

how will it run my L4D soon... hmmmm

ps: L4D is the best game ever... the DEMO was EPIC...(so was the wait)

Tried running COD4. Can run,can play until 3rd stage. Died lol! Have 2 say, if I tweak it all the way up during the 1st 2 missions,its pretty smooth. Back to playing old games haha! Dont even think bout running Crysis, more like SIMCITY or the SIMS 2. Oh and dont even bother running anything on Bootcamp. Nothing works!

your laptop died?

wtf.. nothing works? What do you mean lol

oh well...seems like i am not a hardcore gamer so i do not mind just buy the entry level macbook unibody....I had too much problem with Vista that I have given up!

Is anyone using aluminium Macbook for 3D modelling so far? Or Zbrushing stuff? Since the current model are having 5times stronger graphic peformance than the previous macbook model.

I know mbp would be better but i am curiousity the significant improvement in this 9400M nvidia for 3D routines.

Since i checked the others performance btwn mb & mbp in after effects & Cs4 does not exists the obvious gap. Merely a few second of difference there is.

Anyway, the information are based from website review.. Not from any real users that i know of..

Please sharing.

I think the new macbook is OK for gaming. Check this site
http://www.macworld.com/article/136251/200...l?lsrc=rss_main

What about World of Warcraft with WOTLK expansion?
has anyone played the game on the new aluminium macbook?
is it good ?

Cause im thinkin of getting the alu MB too, just for work n, yeh, WoW

wow works fine with the new macbook
it works a hell lot fine with the mbp
just don't think you'll be getting full eye candy with the macbook htough

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opOUwbXZ428&feature=related

Found this link... for gaming experience.

Kinda convincing me to go for 9400M and spare me lotsa cash.

This post has been edited by dinodog_Jr: Nov 15 2008, 09:32 PM

LoL...saying s42 is ugly is not that he's high standard, but seriously, it IS ugly. i can get what hes trying say by some laptops r shiit. some design they try to do too much. bland ? lol its simple yet elegant, which other manufacturers try n fail. it can have similar design, but still, it stands out among other shiity laptops. thats the brilliance of it bro.

Well Windows laptops are cheaper now averaging at RM 2800 some with integrated 3d card or basic ATI cards which are on par with the 9400M....however, their design are simple and using plastic makes the laptop looks cheap and ugly. Moreover, I am having too much headache with the Vista....always crash and stupid pop ups when you first on the bloody laptop! I believe Macbooks are much moer stable and able to serve for many years to come rather than PCs which average around 2-3 years of lives!

i have tested the new macbook with wow
on the highest resolution settings 1280x800 on windows mode
im getting an average of 30 fps... but then again, it gets jerky on places like the main cities....
not really doing it for me

with settings all on low, im getting an average of 100 fps...

i customized the settings to get use to a more pvp-friendly environment (further object view etc) and lowered most of the settings that i'm not really bothered with... i'm averaging 65 fps. so yeah this macbook can play wow well.. one thing to note though, blizzard has always emphasized their games to have lower system requirements...
this is in no way a benchmark test, but jsut an info for some who would like to know how wow performs on the macbook

No offense and I myself am an avid Apple supporter, but those statement on plasticky PC laptops apply to lwer entry level laptops, not the higher end models. Apple have always made their Macbooks as higher end models, hence the build quality. As for popups with Vista, it becomes a more stomachable experience once you've tweaked it properly, and I agree if you say that a user should not have to tweak their laptops in order to get it going off right out of the box.

I myself am getting the Macbook Air 1.83Ghz most probably next week, I just hope their issues the horizontal lines + no 4 finger swipe is resolved before I finally make my purchase.

im either buying Macbook Entry Level or Macbook Pro....since Macbook 2.4 not much different from Macbook Pro Entry level model....

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Added on November 16, 2008, 11:04 pmI have tried playing Red Alert 3 on the Macbook 2.0.....You can play smoothly on medium!

This post has been edited by mojoza: Nov 16 2008, 11:04 PM

Yes sure can play Red Alert 3 on medium setting....currently play Tiberium Wars on Mac OS X. Running superb. Like the 3D Graphics. Hehe...

play wow 40fps full settings happily for mb 2.0 i happy d.. dun care other games la.. RA3 playable also..
laptop u wan play intensive games impossible la.. unless u spend go buy those dedicated game. i got a desktop .. i use laptop when at uni .. home never touch laptop also. unless u wan gaming at uni thats diff story.

Seems like the new MacBook Entry can play most recent games

Yeah, from what i researched thru youtube videos about Macbook Gaming.

Far Cry2, Bioshock, COD4, WoW, Fallout3, Crysis... all can play at smooth Fps.

I couldn't imagine these intensive games can be play in Macbook now.

Now i have second thought to get MB instead of MBP. I think the nvidia chips can push some of the 3D application as well since the 3D games all works pretty cool with it.

2.0ghz or 2.4ghz having a little improvement thru the benchmark. But some owners said 2.4ghz did push up a little faster.

Mainly, that little push up might not be obvious for everyone. The backlit keyboard is something that make Macbook so "pro" now.

SOmehow, i wonder some DIY enthusiats are actually modding their mb with 2 LED lights underneath the keyboard now?! Issit possible..

SPend another RM1000 for 2 LED bulbs. (HDD is cheaper to upgrade now).

As some one mentioned earlier, you can't play crysis on the macbook.

2.4 ghz Macbook playing Crysis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHR7a7YlNC0



CHeck this video.

the reflection is very obvious on that video... =p

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Added on November 17, 2008, 12:42 pmwell guess i stand corrected then ^^
so what u waiting for, still not getting one yet?

This post has been edited by sets84: Nov 17 2008, 12:42 PM

i haven't touch the MBP model yet..

Hopefully someone can do the gaming comparison between 9400M & 9600M videos in youtube.

So far i only saw a sample from SPORE. It did feels lagging when objects crowded.

Maybe upgrade to 4GB RAM in MB...can push it smoothly.

p/s: Today i saw my friend using Photoshop CS4 to do 3D modelling texturing. I mean importing .obj and rotate the model in 360degree..


i hope to understand how the nvidia 9400M & 9600M to justify their performance with the CS4.

http://www.freakygaming.com/pc/strategy/st...em_requirements

lol estimated sc2 requirements.. if thats the case then the macbook shouldnt have any problems playing it

blizzard is known for putting out games that have low system requirements yet great gameplay...
take wow for example, my 6 year old pc can still play it

I just bought the MBP instead!!! woohoo!!! l'm LOVING IT !!!

GratS! Enjoy it ^^

Where do you get your MBP?

I bought it from SUnway Machine. It was the last unit !

You must be very lucky haha.. i've waited nearly 3 weeks adi for mbp

the macbook and macbook pro both sold out most places....I actually wanted the 2.4 MacBook but oh well....I am very happy to have the MBP..Played Crysis and COD4...Smooth and playable

mojoza,

do u mind to print some screen shots of both game while using 9400M & 9600?

Video even better..haha... Can see how the FPS performs..

Write more reviews bout difference of both GPU tech if you feel comfort with.

once i am settled down with my mac I will show you guys!

Mac as far as I know is used mainly for graphic design, visual editing, well........basically quality visual and audio purposes. Sometimes it's used for work (programming mainly) also due to it's stability compare to windows. Hardcore games on Mac? er...never heard of that before. Flash games maybe.

then u have to spent some times in youtube to check out the gaming experience wif Mac Machine..

Yeah in XP OS...

new macbooks and macbook pros are good for gaming now trust me.I am enjoying it!

macbook pro
playing SPORE full resolution and full graphic
no lag, so far so good

Can u try wif the 9400 card?

how good is the the 2.0Ghz model? kinda attracted to the macbook..

can the 2.0 ghz model handle latest game at low to medium setting?..

This post has been edited by kyon22: Nov 21 2008, 03:54 PM

I have been playing COD4 and Team Fortress at all high res and 2xAA...both runned at 30- 60fps !!! 30fps is when there are like 10 people fighting at once!

SEXY@_@~...

Can you try Devil May Cry 4?! or Fall out 3...hee

Yesterday i read bout a details FPS description on Oblivion. The grass effects give very low FPS until 15fps.

Well, i neva into Oblivion. haha..

Keep posting.

This post has been edited by dinodog_Jr: Nov 22 2008, 05:22 PM

okay I will try on the DMC4 and Fallout 3

I had came across one youtube having Highest setting for DMC4 in the macbook.

Hope you have the real fun too...

Do you have Far Cry 2 ? Dat's another game that worth to check into. Nice textures...hee..

Eh guys..when u say ur playing games on the new MB..
Ur using like boot camp and xp to play or using the mac os?
I'm gonna get a MB soon..
Just want to clarify things.

Yes man.

Have to be in XP..

XP is much faster for sure.....i am using MBP btw, Tested Devil May Cry 4 yesterday at full details average around 30-35fps with around 10 or more units and details textured buildings! Against bosses will be around 45 to 55 fps!

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Added on November 23, 2008, 11:23 amI have also tested the latest Need For Speed Undercover ran around 35fps almost full specs!

This post has been edited by mojoza: Nov 23 2008, 11:23 AM

mojoza,

All these while, you are using 9600 GPU to get the FPS performance?

haha.. i am interested in how 9400M performs actually..

just use 30fps and reduce by 45% and you will know the performance

is the macbook geforce 9400 perform that bad? i'm planning to get the macbook...

depending what games you gonna play....let me know and I can let you know

how about red alert 3 and fallout on MB using vista?..

I getting next month,but i already can imagine how the 9400 is going to work..I can say it is better than other consumer level laptop.

you can get a hp dv5 running at geforce 9600 but its using DDR2 677mhz RAM at RM5999. but macbook is using DDR3 eventhough its using 9400, the the performance should be on par..

still aiming for macbook, MBP is out of my budget and i want something small to carry around campus while be able to play games..

Ya,that is the advantage for macbook using DDR3..way faster than others.Sure it eble to play game,just certain game have to set lower setting.

i don't know bout you guys, ever since I went mac... I dread having to load up windows, even if its vmware for development purposes.

I normally use window for doing my programming assignment, gaming and mac probably for surfing the net or doing some paperwork..

i using bootcamp on my mac as well...i dont feel any different compare to other PC computer.

tried Need for Speed Undercover ! All full specs with 2x AA !!! average 30fps!
GOnna install Farcry 2 now!

Hi, yours one is MB?
2.0 or 2.4?

He bought the MB Pro. Although he never mentioned which model, I'm guessing the 2.4 Ghz one.

This is the reason why most of us put the hardware specs of our machine(s) in the signature section. It's not (only) to show-off but it gives contextual information when discussing issues relating to performance in apps and games and when troubleshooting.

hehe sorry bros, i am pretty new to this forum, yes I am using 2.4ghz MBP. XP cannot use 9400M so i cant test it as for the Crysis 2, I put all at Medium with 2xAA and on Vsync, ran very smoothly at 35fps.

Can let me tumpang thread ? Since its the same question ... Can like GunBound / Warcraft III be played on the MBP then ?

i played Warcraft III (Dota) on my white 2.1 c2d macbook... so i guess MBP shouldnt be a problem.

Even the MacBook (non Pro) would be able the handle Warcraft3.

... dunno bout GunBound though. Not a game I'm familiar with.

lulz.. even Pentium III with no problem with either 1 of the games u mention. W3 got mac version, whereas for gunbound no. You have to boot to bootcamp to play GB

@MacDaNife, gunbound is 2D online game. requirement is much lower compare to W3

Basically the new macbook and macbook pro are capable to play current games! so no worries!

Anyone here wif MB gaming experience yet??

I played Warcraft III on my MBp though ... No lag ... Smooth ... Haha

warcraft 3 confirmed smooth as it is an old game.You should try COD5 to test the machine

Still can't find the CD ... Don't know where to buy them ... I don't have crossover program also

I would highly recommend people to buy macbook or macbook pro unibody as it will definately last for more than 3 years due to the fact that they will be faster with Snow Leopard and SLI technology

Hi all, anyone tried Left 4 Dead? How many FPS?

BTW, are you all running XP or Vista? I heard you'll get a few extra FPS on XP, but would a future nvidia driver update make the frame rates negligible on vista? I would rather stick with Vista because of Direct X 10 support.

I'm planning to get the Macbook alu 2.0 ghz in a month or two.

Anyone got Diablo 3 for mac yet ?

Anyone who says they have Diablo 3 regardless for Windows or Mac would be lying.

Well..i think for stability better play on xp..
Even though vista have direct x10..

i am installing Left 4 Dead now ! keep you informed!

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Added on December 2, 2008, 10:11 pmlol my macbook pro played at 50-70fps!

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Added on December 2, 2008, 10:12 pmand i have set all 16x AA and Vsynx on and all high and very high!!! good game!

This post has been edited by mojoza: Dec 2 2008, 10:12 PM