Using a MacBook for games

[Orree]

I'm not entirely sure whether this should be in the selling section, but due to me being a new member and that I don't want to sell it through these means, I am simply asking advice in this section. That said, a moderator is welcome to change or delete it.

I am looking to buy the next upgrade of the MacBook to be released as I have recently moved into mac gaming and have realised the inadequacy of my 2006 MacBook's graphics card. I am on a strict budget, as I am hoping for the new one as a (probably late) Christmas present.

So, two things, the first: Am I really wasting my time buying a standard MacBook (with a better 4 gb RAM) in order to play games such as StarCraft II, the Half-Life 2 trilogy (or quadilogy), Civilisation 4/5 etc.? I expect recommendations of buying a MacBook Pro but the budget restricts buying anything other than the 13" which will have almost the exact same specifications as the MacBook but slightly more expensive, and frankly I am attached to the MacBook design.

The second: Currently I have the stock first MacBook, albeit with a brand new hard drive installed (160 gb as opposed to the 60 gb standard), brand new battery, brand new charger, brand new keyboard/trackpad/entire front face and most importantly, upgraded to 2 gb RAM. I would be able to sell it with the Snow Leopard disc I have installed on it, as well as the original box, installation discs etc. It runs completely as a new machine essentially, with only the outside casing showing signs of its age. If anyone has any idea, would this sell? And if so, how much for? In British Pound Sterling if possible.

Thank you in advance for the advice, I hope this isn't regarded as spam.

This thread was deleted earlier, I am not sure why but if a mod could email me the reason I would appreciate it.

 

[OliverOSX93]

/posted from a psp/

I wouldnt buy a macbook strictly for gaming because honestly an xbox or play station will be better suited. Not to mention the number of games you could get for either with 650 quid.

I cant answer your other 2 questions I'm afraid.

 

[Orree]

I have a Wii, and it's computer games I want really. Have become disinterested in console gaming. Thanks for replying though.

 

[akhbhaat]

The current Macbook will run the Half-Life 2 series and Civilization 4 without trouble--though the irony of Mac gaming is that you'll almost always get far better results running these games in Windows under boot camp. OSX isn't particularly mature as a gaming platform, even given the presence of quality ports (like the Blizzard and Valve/Steam games). I've tried the aforementioned games myself on my own Macbook and can personally confirm all of this.

In truth, it should run just about any game made before 2006 well enough, and most newer games (e.g. Starcraft 2) will run on medium or low settings. There's no reason to step up to the 13" MBP, as it has the same CPU/GPU, and even the GT330M GPU in the 15 and 17" MBPs isn't substantially better than the 320M in the base Macbook.

Still, the MB isn't really a gaming computer, or even a gaming laptop (a term which I still consider an oxymoron). While it offers better gaming performance than most other portability-oriented 13" notebooks (thanks to the GPU), it simply cannot compare to some of the more purpose built computers in the same price range, let alone a dedicated desktop (which is what I use, and the reason I haven't tried anything newer or more demanding than Half-Life 2 on my Mac). Given that boot camp is currently a must for Mac gaming, you may well be better off with a Windows machine to begin with if your primary concern is gaming...something like an MSI GX640, perhaps.

 

[Orree]

Okay then, thanks. I feel a bit more confident that it'll be worth the money then, I might try using Bootcamp as well although the prospect of using a Windows OS is almost sickening .

Has anyone got any advice on selling my current laptop?

 

[mrsir2009]

Well I've got a 13" MacBook Pro and it seems to be able to handle light to medium games, however the computer can get very hot while gaming

The downside is that the number of games for Mac are limited - And the prices are higher than windows games. In theory though, you could run windows via bootcamp for games, and use OSX for everything else. The iMacs at my school have windows and osx on them, so you get a mac and a PC all in one

 

[mrsir2009]

Okay then, thanks. I feel a bit more confident that it'll be worth the money then, I might try using Bootcamp as well although the prospect of using a Windows OS is almost sickening .

Has anyone got any advice on selling my current laptop?

What is your current laptop? I don't believe you've mentioned it.

 

[Orree]

What is your current laptop? I don't believe you've mentioned it.

I briefly mentioned it in my first post but to further clarify it is the first 2006 MacBook. 2 GHz Intel Core Duo and GMA 950 graphics card. Other original specifications are 60 gb HHD and 512 mb RAM, which have both been upgraded as mentioned in my first post. Was on Tiger but recently updated to Snow Leopard, skipping Leopard due to warranty having already well run out. My main problem is the graphics card to be honest. Otherwise it's a perfectly functional laptop.

Edit: Oh and nice link on preventing overheating .