Ran a test on my mini, gaming on Studio?

[seek3r]

So I just used parallels to run outer worlds surprisingly well, albeit with low graphics settings, in Windows 11 on my base model m1 mini. That intrigued me to think about maybe picking up an m2 (maybe m3? seems like they may leapfrog 2 at this point) studio next refresh and using it as both my mac desktop and a gaming machine running windows under parallels, wondering what folks experiences have been there?

 

[mcnallym]

I personally made the decision to keep my studio seperate and keep the seperate games machine on windows.

my games rig is a hades canyon nuc, that orphan child of intel cpu wih amd vega integrated graphics so hardly high end.

I just find it easier to keep them seperate though sure could run fast enough even with an M1 Max studio.

 

[pshufd]

My son has a Mac from his workplace but games on his own Windows laptop. Daughter has a personal Mac and Windows gaming desktop. They tell me that Windows is just a better gaming experience.

My gaming is online Chess and any computer is fine for that.

 

[seek3r]

My son has a Mac from his workplace but games on his own Windows laptop. Daughter has a personal Mac and Windows gaming desktop. They tell me that Windows is just a better gaming experience.

My gaming is online Chess and any computer is fine for that.

I've been tempted to try gaming on my work MBP to get a better idea of the performance of the studio but I keep too much stuff all the time on the machine that, you know, I actually need for work to get to it

 

[pshufd]

I've been tempted to try gaming on my work MBP to get a better idea of the performance of the studio but I keep too much stuff all the time on the machine that, you know, I actually need for work to get to it

I've always preferred keeping them separate myself. Our work computers were monitored and locked down. Space issues can be solved with an external SSD.

 

[Homy]

Visit Applegamingwiki.com or Andrew Tsai or MrMacRight on Youtube to see the gaming performance in Parallels and Crossover. Codeweavers has also a compatibility page.

 

[maflynn]

wondering what folks experiences have been there?

My experiences is that with the Studio, gaming on a mac is actually quite pleasant. I had owned the M4 Pro Mini briefly but gaming on that was sub par to my expectations.

For me, there's a number of avenues to game, some better then others.

• Native gaming, the few AAA games that are available play really well on the studio
• Crossover, this allows x86 games to run via WINE under macOS like the steamdeck. Performance on the Studio is excellent, though compatibility on some games is an issue, i.e, not all games will work or work well.
• Parallels, I've largely given up on this option, performance is inferior and the lats time I checked directx 12 wasn't supported
• Geforce Now - streaming service, if you have decent broadband speeds, this is probably the best performing of all, with the best graphics. The Middle tier for me offered the best balance of performance, graphics and cost.

I play a mixture of crossover and Geforce, I paid for a month's worth of Geoforce Now, though I probably will let that expire for the time being as Crossover offers nearly everything I want.

 

[JedNZ]

I'm running CrossOver 25.1.0 and am enjoying really good game play too (I'm a dabbler, not a hard core gamer). I got RDR2 up and running today at 2560x1440 Windowed with Ultra High Texture, High Shadows and Reflections getting 56-60FPS. Dying Light 1 and 2 run okay at ~45FPS, and CyberPunk at 50FPS (although I'm now running that native on macOS).

Speaking of native run games, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Rise of the Tomb Raider run beautifully in macOS, as does COD Black Ops 3. My Studio has been a great purchase choice.

 

[Varmann]

Studio M4 here.
Runs native games great (tested Baldursgate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Civ 7, Stray) all at 4K
Tested some under crossover (Witcher 3, Vampire Bloodlines). Both with some minor issues.

 

[neomorpheus]

I suggest to get an all AMD pc, install ChimeraOS, attach it to your tv and use that for gaming.

Then install Steam on your Mac and use either Steam Remote play or Sunshine/Moonlight.

 

[maflynn]

I suggest to get an all AMD pc, install ChimeraOS, attach it to your tv and use that for gaming.

Then install Steam on your Mac and use either Steam Remote play or Sunshine/Moonlight.

Seems like a lot of work for not much benefit. Why buy another computer, install Linux (something that many people may not be comfortable) just to use remote play

Maybe I missed it, but I don't think anyone mentioned needing to play games in their living room on their tv. Secondly, if you're going to build a PC, then the most compatible OS for gaming is going to be windows.

If you're going to spend money on a second computer to play games why not just buy a steam deck, yes, its running linux, the irony is not lost on me but Valve has it setup that we don't have to monkey with the OS, unlike most desktop Linux distros

 

[neomorpheus]

Seems like a lot of work for not much benefit.

OP asked about buying a newer and more expensive Mac just to get better gaming performance.

Dollar per dollar, my option can be cheaper and provide better results.

Why buy another computer, install Linux (something that many people may not be comfortable) just to use remote play

OP already said is interested in buying a second computer.

Plus reading comprehension helps when trying to belittle others online.

I clearly said that Remote play is a nice plus since OP would be able to ALSO stream back to the Mac.

Maybe I missed it, but I don't think anyone mentioned needing to play games in their living room on their tv.

That is a plus that works great with ChimeraOS since it turns your PC into a more powerful SteamDeck.
But you know its an option that might help OP?

Funny how people turn words into literal things when they want to discredit other peoples suggestions.

Secondly, if you're going to build a PC, then the most compatible OS for gaming is going to be windows.

Yes and no, depending on the games.
In my own experience, I have windows games running a lot better under Linux/ChimeraOS than on Windows itself.

One sample an old game, a remake of Strider which would keep crashing over and over under Windows, would work flawlessly on under ChimeraOS/Linux.

Game keeps crashing. :: Strider General Discussions

I've turned all post-proc effects off, running it full screen at my native resolution, 60hz. WTH Capcom?

steamcommunity.com

Google is your friend there.

If you're going to spend money on a second computer to play games why not just buy a steam deck

That is a valid option, assuming that OP wanted a portable.

its running linux, the irony is not lost on me but Valve has it setup that we don't have to monkey with the OS, unlike most desktop Linux distros

Clearly, you didnt bother in doing any research into how easy is to install ChimeraOS or even Bazzite on a PC.

Here is an extremely difficult video to follow about ChimeraOS.