Is Macbook pro fast enough for online poker?

[pauly800]

I play online poker. I play lot of tables and use programs called Holdem Manager 2 that uses a lot of resources. On the poker forum, i was told i should get a quad core laptop. Also i would need to use bootcamp as these programs are not compatible with mac.


I know macbooks are priced very high. However i read they rarely have issues compared to windows. However if i use windows on a mac, would i have the same issues though? The good thing about macs is i assume it doesn't have much power issues or things like that?


I would get either a macbook pro 13.3 or a macbook air 13.3. But im wondering if the i5 processor is strong enough. Also i would be using a 250gb ssd and 8gb ram.

 

[vlinkz]

Pretty sure you'll have no problems whatsoever.

 

[pauly800]

okay thanks. Anyone here play online poker can give me opinion? Like those of you who play on pokerstars and use holdem manager and lot of tables?


I was told on poker forums that macs are not good for poker.

 

[zhaoxin]

You shouldn't buy 13 inch macbook air/pro as they are not 4 cores, they are 2 cores with 4 threads. Only 15 inch macbook is 4 cores with 8 threads.

And if you want to use Windows only, you'd better not buy a mac. You should buy a Lenovo or Dell instead.

Your good appearance are basing on macbook with macOS, not on macbook with Windows. Macbook with Windows always means extra heat and shortage of battery life. So don't buy a macbook for Windows propose.

 

[pauly800]

hi there. Yes the macbook 15.4 has the i7 quad core. But i wanted a 13.3 laptop.


Yes i will use windows 100 percent because those programs are not mac compatible. But people said you can use bootcamp so windows would work. So don't?


Im considering Asus zenbook a Dell or Macbook...

 

[vlinkz]

I don't think you'll have a problem but it's probably more trouble than it's worth if you are just going to run Windows all the time. There's nothing special about Mac hardware that makes it "better" at running Windows.

 

[Freyqq]

hi there. Yes the macbook 15.4 has the i7 quad core. But i wanted a 13.3 laptop.


Yes i will use windows 100 percent because those programs are not mac compatible. But people said you can use bootcamp so windows would work. So don't?


Im considering Asus zenbook a Dell or Macbook...

Sounds like you need a PC. Macs are very stable, but only when in OSX. The provided Windows drivers are not well optimized.

 

[pauly800]

hi. issue is i need a laptop as i travel.


but if i use windows on a mac, does that mean getting viruses is the just the same percentage as on a windows computer? battery is much worst on mac so basically its just a bit better than a regular windows computer?

 

[Freyqq]

hi. issue is i need a laptop as i travel.


but if i use windows on a mac, does that mean getting viruses is the just the same percentage as on a windows computer? battery is much worst on mac so basically its just a bit better than a regular windows computer?

Mac hardware uses identical components to a PC, they just happen to only include quality components and bundle in OSX. You can get a quality PC too, if you are willing to spend just as much. The viruses you mention affect Windows, regardless of what hardware you use to run it on. OSX can get affected by viruses all the same, there just seems to be less of a risk at this time with OSX.

 

[T5BRICK]

http://hm2faq.holdemmanager.com/questions/862/What+are+the+minimum+PC+specs+needed+in+order+to+run+Holdem+Manager+2?+

According to the system requirements, any current MacBook Pro or MacBook Air will run it just fine once you instal Windows.

 

[leman]

If your primary usage of a compute is to run a specific windows-only app, then getting a mac is a bit pointless.

Anyway: why would an online poker program need a quad-core? What did this world come down to?

 

[zhaoxin]

hi there. Yes the macbook 15.4 has the i7 quad core. But i wanted a 13.3 laptop.


Yes i will use windows 100 percent because those programs are not mac compatible. But people said you can use bootcamp so windows would work. So don't?


Im considering Asus zenbook a Dell or Macbook...

It will work in bootcamp. However, you should know macbook is designed to work with macOS, not Windows. It is just compatible with Windows. If you just want a Windows PC, don't buy a Mac. As a Mac costs your more money, and doesn't work as well in Windows as in macOS.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

There are almost no quad core 13 inch laptops, if that is what you want the apple don't make them. I think there may be a Sony with that size and spec but I have never seen one. You can get a razor blade 14 inch with a quad core that's about as close as you'll get with any ease but they are pretty expensive as well. As others say getting a Mac just to run Windows is not currently a good move that may change when the new ones come out though.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Installing Windows on a Mac is exactly like running Windows on a PC. Your experience will be absolutely no different than it is now, with all the good and bad that comes along with Windows, except that your laptop now has an Apple logo on the back.

Waste of money if you plan to run Windows 100%.

 

[pauly800]

Hi thanks for that information. But if you have windows on it, couldn't you also run mac as well? Thus you have 2 systems going on at once? For example let say all my poker programs are in the windows os. Now let say i dont want to play poker now and just want to web browse, download videos and other things like that. I could do this right? And if i do, that means all the programs i download while on mac isn't going to be on my desktop when logging into my windows one right? So if thats the case, couldn't i use windows only when playing online poker with those programs but when im not playing, log into mac?


The way you mentioned if i only run windows on mac, its waste of everything.

 

[zhaoxin]

Hi thanks for that information. But if you have windows on it, couldn't you also run mac as well? Thus you have 2 systems going on at once? For example let say all my poker programs are in the windows os. Now let say i dont want to play poker now and just want to web browse, download videos and other things like that. I could do this right? And if i do, that means all the programs i download while on mac isn't going to be on my desktop when logging into my windows one right? So if thats the case, couldn't i use windows only when playing online poker with those programs but when im not playing, log into mac?


The way you mentioned if i only run windows on mac, its waste of everything.

> Now let say i dont want to play poker now and just want to web browse, download videos and other things like that.

No. Base on the knowledge of yours, I don't think you can use macOS as well as you do in Windows. Surely, Mac can download files and watch online videos. But not in a Windows way, you have to learn how to do it and remember which app to open.

You may be too optimistic on yourself to do it. For you, macOS and Windows are like two houses, you can go into on at one time, but you can't go into two at the same time. There does be a solution of using them together, but it is not for you and doesn't work as the way you expect.

For a new macOS beginner like you, I don't even think you can do bootcamp yourself. So don't buy a macbook. It is not for you.

 

[2IS]

> Now let say i dont want to play poker now and just want to web browse, download videos and other things like that.

No. Base on the knowledge of yours, I don't think you can use macOS as well as you do in Windows. Surely, Mac can download files and watch online videos. But not in a Windows way, you have to learn how to do it and remember which app to open.

You may be too optimistic on yourself to do it. For you, macOS and Windows are like two houses, you can go into on at one time, but you can't go into two at the same time. There does be a solution of using them together, but it is not for you and doesn't work as the way you expect.

For a new macOS beginner like you, I don't even think you can do bootcamp yourself. So don't buy a macbook. It is not for you.

What the hell are you talking about? He can absolutely do that and he seems to understand the separation between the operating systems. What does "base on the knowledge of yours" and "you may be too optimistic on yourself to do it" mean?

Bootcamp is easy, it literally walks you through the processes, the fact you come on here and make it seem like it's a super complicated is a bit laughable. He obviously wants a MacBook and has an interest in using OSX when he's not doing online Poker. The only consideration he should be making at this point is if a dual core with hyperthreading that comes with a 13" is adequate enough. I personally think it will be fine.

 

[Queen6]

I play online poker. I play lot of tables and use programs called Holdem Manager 2 that uses a lot of resources. On the poker forum, i was told i should get a quad core laptop. Also i would need to use bootcamp as these programs are not compatible with mac.


I know macbooks are priced very high. However i read they rarely have issues compared to windows. However if i use windows on a mac, would i have the same issues though? The good thing about macs is i assume it doesn't have much power issues or things like that?


I would get either a macbook pro 13.3 or a macbook air 13.3. But im wondering if the i5 processor is strong enough. Also i would be using a 250gb ssd and 8gb ram.

Just over complicating your needs, want a lightweight & "powerful" notebook go with a Dell XPS 15, install Mawarebytes and get a decent AV like Bitdefender. Right now the current MacBook Pro`s are basically EOL with a new design launching soon, nor are the current Mac`s priced competitively.

The only reason to buy a Mac at present is if you have a specific software need, seems to me your need is the very opposite. You just need decent security software to protect the system, nor are Mac`s immune to malware. Alternatively if you just want a Mac it`s entirely possible although more complex either needing to dual boot and or run Windows in a VM etc.

Q-6

 

[Toutou]

I know macbooks are priced very high. However i read they rarely have issues compared to windows. However if i use windows on a mac, would i have the same issues though? The good thing about macs is i assume it doesn't have much power issues or things like that?

They do rarely have issues, but that's because of OS X (now macOS), which is very secure and stable.

When you install Windows on your MacBook, well, you have a MacBook running Windows. The build quality stays the same, the screen and the keyboard stay the same, you're just running Windows. The battery life gets a little worse, but that's just because macOS's power management is really, really good.

If Windows is what you want on your laptop, and you like the MacBook despite its higher price, there's no reason not to install Windows, you'll be getting a well made laptop completely ready to run Windows.

If you're curious about macOS and only need the poker software, well, that's okay too. You can install Windows via BootCamp (easy) and switch between the two, just remember, they aren't running both at once, so that's a reboot (half a minute or so) every time you want to play poker.

 

[jerryk]

Hi thanks for that information. But if you have windows on it, couldn't you also run mac as well? Thus you have 2 systems going on at once? For example let say all my poker programs are in the windows os. Now let say i dont want to play poker now and just want to web browse, download videos and other things like that. I could do this right? And if i do, that means all the programs i download while on mac isn't going to be on my desktop when logging into my windows one right? So if thats the case, couldn't i use windows only when playing online poker with those programs but when im not playing, log into mac?


The way you mentioned if i only run windows on mac, its waste of everything.

When you run Windows application in addition to Mac OS, you are essentially running a virtual Windows computer on top of the Mac OS. This results in lower performance than running Windows alone. So if you primary need is to run your Windows based poker programs fast, get a dedicated windows systems. Just turn on the anti-virus and do not visit sketchy sites.

 

[zhaoxin]

What the hell are you talking about? He can absolutely do that and he seems to understand the separation between the operating systems. What does "base on the knowledge of yours" and "you may be too optimistic on yourself to do it" mean?

Bootcamp is easy, it literally walks you through the processes, the fact you come on here and make it seem like it's a super complicated is a bit laughable. He obviously wants a MacBook and has an interest in using OSX when he's not doing online Poker. The only consideration he should be making at this point is if a dual core with hyperthreading that comes with a 13" is adequate enough. I personally think it will be fine.

I don't know what you are thinking. I tend to think people makes mistake if he has never used a mac before. I helped a lot of people who use mac and windows. In my opinion, people are not doing well from using Windows to Mac, especially for someone who has no necessity to use a Mac.

Also, some people like to say you can use a Mac as a Windows PC because their hardware are the same. But in reality, it isn't. When MacBook runs in Windows, it generates more heat and the battery life is of shortage. That is because MacBook is never designed for Windows, all its hardware are designed to work with macOS.

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

I don't think you need a quad core computer, since the optimal spec is a Core i5/i7 with 8+GB of RAM. Interesting they recommend quad core but the optimal specification do not recommend that. i5 come in a variety of options with both dual core or quad core. The only 13" quad core laptop I can think of is the Razer Blade with comes with an i7 HQ processor in a 14" package.

 

[IllIllIll]

Yes i will use windows 100 percent because those programs are not mac compatible. But people said you can use bootcamp so windows would work. So don't?

If you're planning to run Windows 100% of the time then get a Windows laptop. Buying a Macbook to run Windows exclusively is pointless. And, a good Windows laptop will be cheaper.

 

[Toutou]

Your good appearance are basing on macbook with macOS, not on macbook with Windows. Macbook with Windows always means extra heat and shortage of battery life. So don't buy a macbook for Windows propose.

However, you should know macbook is designed to work with macOS, not Windows. It is just compatible with Windows. If you just want a Windows PC, don't buy a Mac.

For a new macOS beginner like you, I don't even think you can do bootcamp yourself.

Also, some people like to say you can use a Mac as a Windows PC because their hardware are the same. But in reality, it isn't.

That is because MacBook is never designed for Windows, all its hardware are designed to work with macOS.

You know, we're supposed to help each other, and you're really just spreading misinformation. How are we supposed to understand that the MacBook is "designed to work with macOS"? How exactly is the Intel CPU "designed" to run faster or better in macOS? What about the GPU? The architects who designed those chips didn't give a damn about the OS you're going to install. The trackpad? The card reader? Those USB ports? Everything is totally OS agnostic.

There IS a special relationship between the MacBook and macOS but it is exactly the other way around. macOS is optimized to run well on the hardware that Apple chooses to put in the MacBook. The hardware itself? A 100% standardized package. 100% compatible with Windows, various Linux distributions and Unix derivatives including macOS.

A MacBook is just a PC, just like every other laptop on the market.

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

You know, we're supposed to help each other, and you're really just spreading misinformation. How are we supposed to understand that the MacBook is "designed to work with macOS"? How exactly is the Intel CPU "designed" to run faster or better in macOS? What about the GPU? The architects who designed those chips didn't give a damn about the OS you're going to install. The trackpad? The card reader? Those USB ports? Everything is totally OS agnostic.

There IS a special relationship between the MacBook and macOS but it is exactly the other way around. macOS is optimized to run well on the hardware that Apple chooses to put in the MacBook. The hardware itself? A 100% standardized package. 100% compatible with Windows, various Linux distributions and Unix derivatives including macOS.

A MacBook is just a PC, just like every other laptop on the market.

It's no lie that the drivers Apple provides are pretty much bare bones. Running Windows exclusively or mainly, one is better off buying a high quality Windows laptop that has a team much more supportive of having the machine run well. From what I heard a few companies are getting close in trackpad support but Apple's drivers for the trackpad are just useable but nothing amazing compared to the macOS ones. But yes in terms of performance and useable components there shouldn't be too many difference except select graphic components like newer graphic standards (vulkan, OpenGL) or possibly resolution support through display port (for some time the 15" iris pro did not support 4K 60 Hz but under Windows did with the Intel graphic update).