Macbook air and its lack of a video card

H

hephem

macrumors member
Hi to all,

Some of us, may have been answering to members having the same hesitation as I've today. I'm sorry if that's the case.

I'm tempted to buy a Macbook Air. It would be my first laptop and the laptop of my switch. I love the Macbook Air because of its design, of its light, and because it is powerful enough to be my principal machine.

However, time to time, I like playing a game, sometimes with some friends online. Since MBA has not a video card, I'm kinda concerned of my choice.

You know, the best would be to put the power of a MBP in the MBA. This would be the machine of my dreams...

So, in the end, I guess I just came here to get some motivation, some "go ahead with the MBA and buy an x-box" or some "go ahead with the Pro even if you like less the design".

Thank you guys.

Cheers.
 
well, what games do you play? I have a MacBook with the same integrated graphics as the air, and while it can't handle new games it does fine with older or less demanding titles. So whether it would be a good choice for you really depends on what games we're talking about.
 
If you are serious about your games, then the MBA is not for you. The MB isn't, either. Unless you plan to complement them with a real gaming system.

Otherwise, get a MBP or iMac.
 
Many thanks to your answers.

Actually you answered the way I expected, although honestly they have not helped me in my hesitation.

I intend to play, time to time, 3 specific games:

- Battlefield 2 (with or w/o project reality mod - to play online)
- Colin MacRally (preferencialy Dirt, but at least the version before Dirt)
- NBA 2007 or 2008

I'm not a gamer. But if I decide at one moment to play one of this 3 games I like, I want to be able to. The settings of the games should be normal, not to high but to low neither.

If MBA can handle them, then my hesitation would turn over. Otherwise, it will remain for a while...
 
Sorry the MacBook Air is really a laptop for on the way, an companion for your iMac or Mac Pro. This graphics card just won't do it but for less demanding games it will. It's not terrible.
 
hephem said:
because it is powerful enough to be my principal machine.
Click to expand...

The MBA is NOT a principal machine.

You could use it as one, but I don't believe that is the idea. At least not if you need something with more power. If you don't that is fine, but don't complain that you want it to have more because what is not that it was made for. I think the best way to use an Air is if you have a Mac Pro and need something to travel with. Even a iMac and need something to travel with if you're not a power user.

If you want a laptop to be a principal machine and you need more power, than buy a MacBook Pro. That is what they are for.

The Stig
 
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