Can the Intel HD3000 handle these?

[after5cst]

I'd rather not spend extra on the RAM if I can help it, though.

See the other threads: the G.Skill memory from NewEgg is currently $40 *shipped* for 8GB. That's less than the cost of a single game.

 

[Gallium Spoon]

See the other threads: the G.Skill memory from NewEgg is currently $40 *shipped* for 8GB. That's less than the cost of a single game.

!!!!!!

Is it easy for a layman such as myself to install on a Mac though?

 

[Danno21]

It's super easy.

Just unscrew the screws from the bottom of the Macbook, pop off the cover, push down where the RAM modules are and the RAM bay lifts up. Pull each one out and put the new 8GB RAM in its place and then push the RAM bay back down and put the cover back on along with screws and you're done.

I installed 8GB on my 2011 15 inch Macbook Pro and it took 10 minutes tops.

 

[Gallium Spoon]

I have a question about the free shipping bit. I don't live in the US, I live in New Zealand. Do you think it still applies?

 

[Kentochan]

StarCraft II can be played on medium settings without a problem.
Minecraft can be played at maximum settings at with minimal lag (hardly noticeable), and be played at high settings flawlessly.

And adding/replacing RAM is super easy 😀

 

[Gallium Spoon]

😡 I just found out the cost of buying Windows 7 Home Premium in NZ is $389 NZD, which is about $330 USD. Talk about overpriced.

Damn, why does choosing a new computer have to be so hard!

 

[TimDavis]

What about From Dust (http://store.steampowered.com/app/33460)?

The 2011 MBP 13" meets the minimum requirements in terms of processing speed and RAM. It doesn't say it will work on the Intel HD 3000, but it does say that the GPU needs 256MB and I think the HD 3000 on the i5 has 380-odd MB.

Sorry I keep coming back with "what about this game, what about this?" but it does factor into my decision of what laptop I'm going to get next. I'm not a hard core gamer by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm wondering whether it would be worth getting a laptop that's not as restrictive in its gaming options as my faithful old iBook.

As long as your using a windows bootcamp. should be the same results as civilization V.

 

[Gallium Spoon]

So... Should I take it that if the HD 3000 meets a game's requirements in terms of GPU memory, it should be able to play it even though it's an integrated GPU rather than a dedicated GPU?

 

[416049]

So... Should I take it that if the HD 3000 meets a game's requirements in terms of GPU memory, it should be able to play it even though it's an integrated GPU rather than a dedicated GPU?

Yes albeit it will be slower when it comes to newer games 2010-2011, or not work at all e.g. farcry is horrible to play