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MBP 13 vs 15 for GAMING

L

Lanebobane

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 13, 2009
2
0
Hi, I'm looking to buy the MBP 13 or 15 inch, but I need some suggestions for my needs.

Basically my only concern is graphical performance. The models I'm considering are:

-13" 2g 9400m graphics
-13" 4g 9400m graphics
-15" 4g 9400m/9600m 256mb graphics

How would games such as World of Warcraft perform on these systems? Ideally, I'd like to get the cheapest option possible. Will the 4g on the 13" compensate for the lack of discrete graphics?

Also, for those of you who may know WoW better, and also know the answer to ^^, how would these options perform under the harder aspects of the game (25 mans, WG's, BG's, Dalaran etc. )

Thanks
 
If you are expecting an uber gaming pc, build your own PC.

If you just want to have a laptop that has gaming capabilities, get the MacBook Pro with the 9600M GT, the 9400M can handle light gaming, but the 9600M GT is much faster and better for the price if you factor in future-proof.
 
I have been looking for an answer for the 13" MBP in specific, but I can't find answers like I can for the 15". Thank you for the helpful answers.
 
Lanebobane said:
I have been looking for an answer for the 13" MBP in specific, but I can't find answers like I can for the 15". Thank you for the helpful answers.
Click to expand...

9400M will handle games like WoW okay, but still consider 9600GT model as well, because WoW gets graphic updates as time goes by and 9600GT is more future proving and has better resale value
 
Hellhammer said:
9400M will handle games like WoW okay, but still consider 9600GT model as well, because WoW gets graphic updates as time goes by and 9600GT is more future proving and has better resale value
Click to expand...

the 15" is the way to go, Just remember the uni MBP gets hot in Vista while gaming. My fans run at fullspeed once I enter the game.

Cheers,
 
9400M is way over specced to handle WoW. I played WoW on an old IBM Thinkpad just fine years ago..

If you wanted to run a new MMO like AION or WAR or w/e on medium settings without choppiness in built up areas, I'd definitely go for the 15inch with the 9600GT.

But really, if WoW is all you're playing, I wouldn't go further than the 13inch base model, or 15inch base model..
 
niuniu said:
And runs brilliantly on it, there's no reason at all to bootcamp into WoW..
Click to expand...

It runs worse in OS X... People have recognized significant frame drops when running on OS X. Game makers don't know how to code for OS X as good they can for Windows
 
If you want to game, then the 15" MBP with the 9600GT is your only sensible option. Its easily 4-8x faster than the 9400m in the cheaper models.
 
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