First, DAO is a fantastic game, however you play it. Buy it. Play it. No really, do.
😀
Second, it runs well under OSX. It's stable and performance is good. As is often the case, the PC version runs better under the same hardware; but that's not to say it doesn't run properly or doesn't run well under OSX. It does.
The supplimentary questions are important ones though. As you may be aware, DAO is sold on a DLC-oriented model, ie. a significant (in toto anyway) amount of content was released after the actual game in the form of numerous small DLC downloads. As things stand, on-going support for the OSX version of DOA is extremely limited. (To the best of my knowledge) the latest DOA update is not available for OSX, and neither are the vast majority of DLCs.
It's possible there are workarounds now to install this stuff, I haven't kept up with it to be honest.
But if you have bootcamp running already, my advice would be to buy the Windows version, as it is properly officially supported. If you buy the OSX version, you seem to be more or less on your own re updates and additional content.
Sad but true.
UPDATE: Amusingly, just thirty-six hours ago there was this post on the DAO forums:
Hello Mac Dragon Age fans,
Thanks to our partners at TransGaming, we are nearing the time when the remaining DLC will become available for the first time on the Mac version of Dragon Age: Origins! Starting soon, you'll be able to go beyond the origin and explore more of the Dragon Age experience!
On July 20, we will release the Return to Ostagar DLC and patch 1.03. We are also working with TransGaming on delivering the complete range of DLC releases shortly afterward, and will keep you posted on release dates for each of these.
Thank you for playing Dragon Age: Origins and we hope you enjoy your continued adventures in the upcoming DLC!
FYI the latest PC patch is 1.04 - but that was only released like yesterday or something. My only caution would be that it's not clear how quickly all DLC content will become available. Hopefully it will all come at once more or less. Anyway so if you really dislike rebooting into bootcamp, maybe hold off on purchase for a few days and see what comes of this.
Oh, here is the
salient thread.