Have you ever tried gaming on a MacBook Pro? If you have a MacBook Pro, the chances are that you’ve considered gaming on it.
MacBook Pros are relatively capable and incapable of being good gaming laptops. A MacBook Pro can be a good gaming laptop, depending on the accompanying software. Conversely, a MacBook Pro can also not be an ideal gaming laptop for likewise reasons. A factor that determines if a MacBook Pro is a good gaming laptop is the presence or absence of a GPU.
Are MacBook Pros Good for Gaming?
Macs are not the best gaming laptops. However, this doesn’t mean that they are incapable of running games entirely. MacBooks are designed on the concept of software optimization and different other functionality. Since they focus heavily on functionality, the gadgets leave a tiny room for hardcore gaming.
Requirements
Gaming requirements only get more intense each year. As a result, gaming computers need to be equipped with stronger components and hardware to keep up. The MacBook Pro is by no means a weak laptop. On the contrary, it is powerful and competent in the job it was designed to do. The thing is, MacBook Pros were not designed to be gaming computers, so in that area, they are lacking.
GPU
For starters, one of the most essential components in the computer for gaming is the graphics processing unit (GPU). It gives your computer the ability to display on the screen – better graphics require more powerful GPUs. In addition, many game requirements hinge on the GPU’s capabilities to perform. As a result, many video game developers optimize their projects based on certain types and specifications of graphics.
The MacBook CPU is quite powerful and able to contend with other laptops in its price range. The problem, however, is that the MacBook Pro’s GPU is quite lacking.
MacBooks operate using their unique GPUs. These processing units were designed and manufactured by Apple to be specifically used by their computers. They were designed and optimized for the iOS operating system and are not the best compared to competitors.
On the bright side, MacBook Pros have discrete graphics cards, which means you can upgrade them without affecting the CPU. Discrete cards are the best for gaming, and it makes the MacBook Pro the best choice for Macs in terms of video games. Albeit, it is nowhere near the best gaming option in that price range for the cost of the MacBook Pro plus the upgraded graphics card.
MacBooks operate using their unique GPUs. These processing units were designed and manufactured by Apple to be specifically used by their computers. They were designed and optimized for the iOS operating system and are not the best compared to competitors.
On the bright side, MacBook Pros have discrete graphics cards, which means you can upgrade them without affecting the CPU. Discrete cards are the best for gaming, and it makes the MacBook Pro the best choice for Macs in terms of video games. Albeit, it is nowhere near the best gaming option in that price range for the cost of the MacBook Pro plus the upgraded graphics card.
Why Isn’t A MacBook Pro Ideal for Gaming?
Select MacBook Pros lack sufficient power to run modern games since they utilize integrated graphics. Integrated graphics have lower graphics processing power than dedicated desktop cards.
Generally, Apple uses integrated graphics to keep the laptops lightweight, cooler, longer battery life, and thin. The Apple M1 chip’s graphics processing power is more improved than Intel’s integrated graphics. However, it is still doesn’t reach anywhere close to gaming-PC levels.
While it is important to note that a MacBook Pro is not a gaming machine, you can also rely on the M1 chip to run select games at relatively reasonable frame rates. Therefore, if you are looking for the best performance of casual games, the ideal pick would be the MacBook Pro M1.
What Type of Gaming Performance Should You Expect?
There are currently two versions of MacBook Pros; M1 and Intel. The M1 features Apple’s latest Silicone chip offering immensely improved speeds, unlike the Intel versions. However, they feature a different architecture and design.
This is not to entirely imply that Intel MacBooks are slow since the older i5s are reliably fast. Performance-wise, the M1 beats the Intel versions on several benchmarks, for instance, video game performance. Fortunately, the M1 offers improved gaming performance than Intel and is also cheaper. This makes it a good deal if you want to game on a MacBook Pro.
Which is the Best Mac for Gaming?
If you want the absolute best gaming experience of a MacBook, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is an ideal choice. It comes with a discreet GPU, giving you an allowance to upgrade without affecting the CPU. Regardless of the daunting price, it still maintains as one of the best MacBook Pros for gaming. The 13-inch model can make a reliable choice, except only for some casual gaming.
Tips to Game Better on a MacBook Pro
The main problem of MacBook Pros is their GPU. If you want a better and stronger gaming experience, it is recommended to upgrade your system’s internal GPU to a more powerful graphics card. Of course, this would increase the computer’s ability to run more resource-intensive video games.
An upgraded internal GPU may not be enough, however. Some video games have become so polished and grandeur that internal laptop GPUs just can not run them. Internal laptop graphics cards, in general, are quite lacking due to their size restrictions. MacBook Pros allow for the option to have an external GPU that you connect to your laptop. This option is the best for serious gamers. It offers the greatest experience. Ask a computer technician to see if your CPU is compatible with the graphics card you want first, as you accidentally create a bottleneck.
Bottom Line
MacBook Pros are not designed for hardcore gaming. This might be a deal-breaker, especially since they are relatively high-priced compared to most hardcore gaming machines.
Ditch the Intel versions for the improved M1 Macs for a relatively nice gaming experience. However, while you might not be able to run a graphically demanding game needing plenty of power, you can still discover a few popular titles for gaming on a MacBook Pro.
