Worth it to get a MB for personal use/light gaming?

[NickPhamUK]

I built a desktop at home for heavy gaming (which I honestly only use during the weekends). I also have a Thinkpad from work (which I can't install anything due to security issues).

Does it make sense to get a new MBP/MBA/MB? I travel for work sometimes and I need something to entertain myself on the go, for example playing Diablo 2, Heroes 3, or RuneScape, games that aren't too demanding.

The only issue I can see is that the shallow keyboard might be harder for gaming because in Diablo 2 at least, you need to press a lot of keys... And I'm thinking how should I handle 2 laptops (2 bags? 1 bag with many compartments?) I don't like to get an extra Windows laptop because I'll have 3 Windows machine then, it's boring.

Or should I just get an iPad instead? Thanks everyone.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Could you instal steam on your work device? Just load stuff from an external SSD, even instal a whole windows boot, that could alleviate security issues?

Otherwise if your primary reason to purchase the computer is for gaming, then you'd be far better off with a windows device. I get that you don't want to carry two laptops, but really you want a 15" Pro model, although you'd get by with a 13". I just think you'd have a rough time trying to cart two laptops around and it wouldn't be worth it.

 

[Falhófnir]

If you’re willing to go low settings the 15” with the Radeon 555 will probably run most things ok. It’s roughly comparable to a GTX 950M I believe - so pretty entry level but it can push frames out at a decent level if you have realistic expectations. For gaming you’ll probably want 512GB of storage though. If you’re not willing to spend the £2,500+ I probably wouldn’t bother with a MacBook.

 

[Smeaton1724]

I built a desktop at home for heavy gaming (which I honestly only use during the weekends). I also have a Thinkpad from work (which I can't install anything due to security issues).

Does it make sense to get a new MBP/MBA/MB? I travel for work sometimes and I need something to entertain myself on the go, for example playing Diablo 2, Heroes 3, or RuneScape, games that aren't too demanding.

The only issue I can see is that the shallow keyboard might be harder for gaming because in Diablo 2 at least, you need to press a lot of keys... And I'm thinking how should I handle 2 laptops (2 bags? 1 bag with many compartments?) I don't like to get an extra Windows laptop because I'll have 3 Windows machine then, it's boring.

Or should I just get an iPad instead? Thanks everyone.

If the thinkpad has good specs that suit your needs then I'd set up an external SSD and boot into that?

 

[bluecoast]

If the thinkpad has good specs that suit your needs then I'd set up an external SSD and boot into that?

I’d absolutely wait until October when (hopefully) the new Aur will be released and that will probably serve your needs.

I think it’s really tough to recommend someone buying a new / current MB/MBP right now, especially since the keyboard issue that Apple had finally ‘fessed up to.

It’s summer! Get out and about & wait a bit until the fall and hopefully good things are coming.

 

[ipponrg]

I built a desktop at home for heavy gaming (which I honestly only use during the weekends). I also have a Thinkpad from work (which I can't install anything due to security issues).

Does it make sense to get a new MBP/MBA/MB? I travel for work sometimes and I need something to entertain myself on the go, for example playing Diablo 2, Heroes 3, or RuneScape, games that aren't too demanding.

The only issue I can see is that the shallow keyboard might be harder for gaming because in Diablo 2 at least, you need to press a lot of keys... And I'm thinking how should I handle 2 laptops (2 bags? 1 bag with many compartments?) I don't like to get an extra Windows laptop because I'll have 3 Windows machine then, it's boring.

Or should I just get an iPad instead? Thanks everyone.

I think the shallow keyboard could be an issue for durability when it comes to gaming. Other than that, I think it's fine for light gaming and personal use. Like others have said, I'd wait to see what happens in September. And no, don't get an iPad. It's no substitute for the gaming part of it for the games you want to play.

 

[NickPhamUK]

I think the shallow keyboard could be an issue for durability when it comes to gaming. Other than that, I think it's fine for light gaming and personal use. Like others have said, I'd wait to see what happens in September. And no, don't get an iPad. It's no substitute for the gaming part of it for the games you want to play.

Alright thanks, I'll wait then.

Does anyone have experience with Excel on Mac? (via bootcamp, not the Excel for Mac).

Is it comfortable to type numbers and stuff with the shallow keys?

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Alright thanks, I'll wait then.

Does anyone have experience with Excel on Mac? (via bootcamp, not the Excel for Mac).

Is it comfortable to type numbers and stuff with the shallow keys?

It's absolutely fine. If you're coming from a mechanical keyboard and are used to bashing the heck out of the keys then give it a week to adjust. It's more comfortable in my opinion as you don't need to type so hard, and so can type faster and more efficiently.

I've used mine for gaming and again it's fine, Prey worked well and Skylines is the same. Although for most things I just use an Xbox controller.

Excel works as you'd expect in Bootcamp, or on the Mac, or a VM. Only thing I'd suggest is tracking down an Apple/Windows keyboard configuration file, as certain key combinations can be a problem.

Don't expect Apple to change the design of the keyboards, they will have ironed out manufacturing issues now that they've issued a free repair program. So if you see a good deal on a current model then it's worth it, otherwise just wait till the end of the year if you can as there will likely be newer ones by November.

 

[Garage Battle]

If it were me I would buy a Dell or Asus. Id also buy a model thats been out for a while, has multiple bios revisions, most manufacturing bugs worked out. I think the MacBook Pros are terrible for gaming.

 

[Pangalactic]

It's absolutely not worth it. Especially with heroes 3, I can tell you since I've been playing a lot of them on my iMac Pro with parallels and that was BARELY sufficient. If you want to play something else like MTG Arena then forget it, anything above the lowest settings at the lowest resolution would be running at 10 FPS. My vote goes to the Surface Book that can do all that you want and has probably the best keyboard I've ever tried.

As for the iPad - it's a mixed bag, Heroes 3 only have Restoration of Erathia available, so no expansions and random map generator for you. Diablo also doesn't exist here. But it does have some really nice ports like Rome Total War and Civ 6, so it's definitely possible to have a good gaming time on it, just a little bit different game selection.

 

[ipponrg]

Alright thanks, I'll wait then.

Does anyone have experience with Excel on Mac? (via bootcamp, not the Excel for Mac).

Is it comfortable to type numbers and stuff with the shallow keys?

Yes, typing numbers and stuff is fine. It's a little louder because you're going to hammer your keys initially. Your fingers will get used to the shallowness, and not type so hard after a while.

 

[_Kiki_]

no, too weak for games, keyboard isn't comfortable and also fragile (new models MBP)