World of Warcraft: Hows the performance on current Macbooks?

[ScottC2105]

How is the performance on the current Black Macbook and current 17" Macbook Pro?

This is the only thing keeping me from ordering one or the other so I was hoping someone could post their experience and hopefully a screenshot or two, to show the quality, please.

Thank you :).

[mattcube64]

I don't have one, personally, but I can tell you what the general consensus is...

Basically, a current Macbook will run WoW with lower settings at a decent frame rate. You can definitely play casually. And it'd be a great "on-the-go" machine if you have a more powerful desktop to play WoW on most the time. Basically, it'll get the job done, but it's certainly going to be far from ideal.

The Macbook PRO on the other hand will run WoW flawlessly for the most part. Have fun maxing the settings and still always averaging above 30FPS even in heavy raiding. If you're planning on using your new lappy as a desktop replacement, or you're gonna need to do some heavy WoW gaming on it, then the MBP is the only choice, really.

Question, though: Why haven't you considered the 15" MBP?

[merc669]

I did a search here and found several threads discussing this issue. Some may not be specific enough but here are a couple;

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.phpt=450436&highlight=WOW+Performance

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.phpt=452119&highlight=WOW+Performance

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.phpt=390174&highlight=WOW+Performance

Search Tool is your friend.....Hope these help!

Bill......:apple:

[cluthz]

Macbook is bad for gaming, even tho some people might convince you that "it's just fine"
http://barefeats.com/image07/mb_wow.gif
http://barefeats.com/mbook.html
The MBP 17 inch will run it great tho.

[ScottC2105]

mattcube64, I wanted the screen space for Photoshop but the 15" would save my wallet and doesn't look to bad although I prefer the looks of the Black Macbook. I don't know what to choose.

[Patriiick]

There.. i fixed that problem for you.

http://www.colorwarepc.com/p-57-macbook-pro.aspx

[ScottC2105]

I just ordered this one (http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Apple_MacBook_Pro_MB134B-A/version.asp). It will be here tomorrow. It is basically the top end 15" Macbook Pro.

Ordered an iPod touch 32gb, case, office 2008 and toast 9 also :).

[miniConvert]

Congrats. The 15" MBP is a brilliant little WoW powerhouse. Mine has become my primary device for WoW.

Just be sure not to play with the MBP directly on your lap :D It'll get hot.

[merc669]

Indeed! My 15" MBP definitely gets hot playing WOW. Only tried once on my lap. That was enough. But plays WOW great! And 15" is just right for me when I travel. Congrats on a good buy!

Bill.....:apple:

[philippott]

WoW performance for hardcore raiding is just sufficient on an older GMA950 Macbook under Windows XP. My guild killed Archi (regarding doomfires) and Illidan (me being the tanking warlock for Illi in P4). FPS went down to 2-3 when Illi either shadowblasted me or when he cast the flames but otherwise was OK to spam searing pain or nuke demons. I also run the game usually with the camera addon completely zoomed out, so this adds to the burden.

I m sure the newer X3100 Macbook performs much better. 2+GB RAM is a must-have-though.

Regards

[ScottC2105]

Thanks everyone! Do you know how long I have wanted to switch? Years! And I have finally done it :).

[kjwarren]

Congrats. The 15" MBP is a brilliant little WoW powerhouse. Mine has become my primary device for WoW.

Just be sure not to play with the MBP directly on your lap :D It'll get hot.

I have walked away from many an instance with very red thighs...