OS X Problems with steam and mac

The specs of your Mac will help people with your problem.

Does your Mac meet the video card requirements?

Hmmm... this looks a little long in the tooth. Go to "About This Mac", what does it say?

Hontas said:

Already stated: Mac OS X Version 10.6.8

Processor: 2.4 GHz intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Click to expand...

OK, go to About this Mac, then choose More Info, then from choose Graphics/Displays, what does it say in there.

I ask because I think as has been said you have a graphics card issue.

Hontas said:

Already stated: Mac OS X Version 10.6.8

Processor: 2.4 GHz intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Click to expand...

You need to click on the "More Info" button

What model Mac?

I don't think Macs have used DDR2 memory for at least 5 years, and yours may be as old as 7 years and not have a powerful enough graphics card.

How again is this a problem with Steam? It's patently obvious your problem is trying to run a brand new FPS on a 5 year old computer, no?

A quick google on that processor speed and RAM specs and it looks like you're running an early 2008 MacBook 4,1
That machine is running integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics. That's your problem.

It really depends on if you're tied to a particular operating system or not.
I would say any 15" Macbook Pro from 2011 to now would run most Steam games well, if you "have" to have a Mac.

On the Windows side it's a bit more complicated, simply because of all the choices available.
I would say some research on your part may be useful, just to familiarize yourself with the technology.
Specifications to look for:
Nvidia or AMD graphics card. Intel graphics still don't cut it.
As far as the graphics card goes, google is your friend, if you see a laptop you like, google the graphics card to see if there are reviews available.
Currently Nvidia is using a core codenamed Kepler, While AMD is a little more complicated, Something with in excess of 400 stream processors should do well.
The CPU comes down to personal preference: Intel is hands down fastest, but AMD is a good budget choice, especially the A8 and A10 processors.
For Intel Core i5 and i7 are great choices, while if you can find an AMD Trinity processor that would be decent.
Memory: Minimum of 4GB, 6-8GB preferable.
Hard drive:320GB and up, or 256GB Solid State Drive.
Example:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alienwa...lack/6954251.p?id=1218816360252&skuId=6954251

Steam itself will run on minimal specs (Intel only), it's the games where you need to pay attention to "minimum requirements", ...literally.

BL2 runs fine with an NVIDIA 9400m (Late '08 Macbook, superseding the 144 MB Intel GMA X3100 on early '08 Macbook) on Steamplay (provided you have enough RAM). So the "cut-off" point for Macbooks is anything pre-'08-unibody. The OP almost made it.

All I needed to see was that the OP posted "2 GB" of system memory. That's all I needed to know.

Here are the System Requirement specs for Borderlands 2 posted on Apple's own Mac App Store. I have been told (lectured, actually) that the Steam version of Borderlands 2 for MacOSX is actually better, and has superior multi-player features already included.

Apple Mac App Store description:


Please note: Borderlands 2 is a single player adventure at launch, and will be updated to include Mac to Mac co-op multiplayer and Game Center support in early 2013 with a free app update.

In order to run the game with satisfactory performance, your Mac must meet these minimum system requirements: 2.2 GHz CPU Speed | 4 GB RAM | 13 GB free disk space | (ATI): Radeon HD 2600; (NVidia): GeForce 8800 | 256 MB VRam

Supported Video cards:
NVIDIA GeForce 8800, GT 120, 320M, 330M, 650M
ATI Radeon HD 3870, HD 4670, HD 4850, HD 5670, HD 5750, HD 5770, HD 5870, HD 6630, HD 6490, HD 6750, HD 6770, HD 6970
Intel HD Graphics 3000, 4000

Gamepad Support: Borderlands 2 supports the Xbox 360 wired gamepad.

Recommended System Requirements:
CPU Speed: 2.6 GHz | Memory: 8 GB or higher | Video RAM: 512 MB

Hontas said:

If that's the case then, what laptop do you suggest I invest in getting which will run steam games with no problems?

Click to expand...

I suggest that you do not buy ANY laptop (Mac or PC) if you truly desire to play the latest cutting-edge action games (e.g. Borderlands 2). Most veteran gamers will tell you this, but the advice is way too often ignored. Oh well.

Laptops are smaller than full-sized desktop computers, hence their hardware is relatively "crippled" compared to a full-sized desktop of the same vintage. The memory capacity is smaller. The hard drive capacity is smaller. The video cards (critical to running graphically-intensive games) are smaller/weaker. I could go on, but you probably get the idea by now.

IF you really really really really NEED to buy a laptop (e.g. because you desperately need something portable), then buy a laptop. But just be realistic that many of the top-notch latest and greatest cutting-edge games might possibly have requirements that your laptop cannot meet.

Hmm... I think I sounded a bit harsh in my last post. So I will try to redeem myself, proving that I'm not a full-time ******.

To the OP.... maybe you should consider buying/playing the slightly older version for MacOSX, Borderlands (1) Game of the Year Edition.

Here are the System Requirements for MacOSX, and seems like your laptop might be able to run it adequately. But don't take my word for it. You need to read the exact System Requirements at the developer's support website, which in this case the Developers of the Mac Borderlands games is Feral Interactive. See their web address below.

---

Important information regarding Borderlands Game of the Year Edition:

• Borderlands Game of the Year Edition does not support the following graphics cards: ATI X1xxx series, NVIDIA 7xxx series and Intel GMA series.

• In order to run the game with satisfactory performance, your Mac must meet these minimum system requirements: 1.4GHz CPU / 1GB RAM / 128MB Graphics Card (not Intel GMA, ATI X1xxx series, or NVIDIA 7xxx series). On older systems you may need to lower the graphical detail to ensure the game runs smoothly.

• Supports PS3 gamepads connected using Bluetooth®.

• Full system requirements are available on the Borderlands mini-site at feralinteractive.com/borderlands.

Don't get the Mac App Store version of BL2, it's more expensive, crippled and has less features. BL1 is a Feral port, it sucks, and doesn't work on Steam. The Steamplay/Aspyr version of BL2 actually runs better on a Mac than Feral's port of BL1 (YMMV - I have both).

The Steamplay version is actually two separate games, you get both the PC and the Mac version for one price (DLC's as well), and the sales have been awesome. Buy one (which ever's cheaper) get both.

Laptop?

BL2 runs fine on my '09 MacBook, I've seen Unibody MB's going for under $600 on CL, Ram is cheap, you can up the mem to 8 gig for less than $50.

Get a desktop if you're a hard-core gamer, if you're just casual, ...anything with a 9400m or better discrete graphics in a Mac notebook is fine.

If you want to try BL1, get it on Onlive, then your machine does none of the heavy lifting.
https://support.onlive.com/entries/22264983-computer-and-internet-requirements-for-pc-mac

Play everything in their catalogue, even with the machine she has now.

Hontas said:

Hey guys, since steam forum completely ignored two of my posts I decided to try my luck here in hope of getting some answers.

I'm using a mac OS X v.10.6.8.

I bought borderlands 2 and cant wait to play, however there are some things wrong with it.
The intro and start cutscenes work fine, but in game and the title screen everything is messed up and I can't see anything. I don't know what the problem is.

I don't know if its the computer im using(mac) or the game, but on my other laptop it works fine but it's incredibly laggy, hence why I switched to mac.

http://i47.tinypic.com/ve85tg.png

Also, I'd like to know if it's possible to use my ps3 controller with my mac, any help would be greatly appreciated guys.

Click to expand...

I recently bought Civ V - Gods & Kings Expansion through Steam. It did not work after installation and I contacted Steam support. After 2 weeks I got an answer. However they failed to understand that I had a mac. When I replied that I used a mac they redirected me to the game developer. They also would not/were not willing to help me. Frustrated I searched the web for answered.

Long story short. I deleted ALL my saved files (from before the expansion) and then started the game. This worked and I never had a problem since.

If this might be one of the issues, try this...

As multiple users have pointed out, but others keep ignoring, this is NOT a Steam problem. Steam's system requirements are laughably low, and should run on any Intel Mac.

It's clearly a hardware problem, coupled with a wetware problem. The OPs computer does not meet the system requirements for BL2, particularly where RAM and GPU are concerned. OP should have checked sys reqs for the game before purchasing.