Whirlpool

hi all... i have had my macbook for bout 5 months now.. it is a 2.0ghz, 2gb, white model...

5 months ago i decided the macbook because ther was "no chance" of me laying games...
now i regret that =]

so, i am looking to get leopardpretty soo so i can utilise boot camp. I want to do this so, low and behold, i can play some games!

I am looking at maybe fifa2008 and cs... thats about it!
What do yo guys think about it runing on the GMA950? impossible? possible? bearable? fantastic?

also, this would be a short term fix as i am due to get a ps3 or wii v. soon.... which one? haha

also, completely offtopic, but does whilpool have a forum for tvs? i am looking to get a panasonic 26" LCD but don't know what else there is out there... hmmm

thanks in advance

CS 1.6? Yep.

FIFA? No idea.

well considering i haven't played source... hmm

kosta. writes...

5 months ago i decided the macbook because ther was "no chance" of me laying games...
now i regret that =]

i thought i alredy said that... and i couldn't justify an extra $1000 to play games, when i can get a perfectly capable ps3 for 700

also
also, this would be a short term fix

kosta. writes...

i thought i alredy said that... and i couldn't justify an extra $1000 to play games, when i can get a perfectly capable ps3 for 700

That extra 1000 bucks covers more than just games.

you really need to research Macbook Pro's you will fine its got far more than what you think it only has to offer.

bigger better slimmer, with way better components than a damn 13" macbook has to offer a macbook is just a toy

Macbook Pros are REAL laptops.

and i am only 16 with no job spending my life savings on a laptop that is tailored to my own needs.

and, i am very happy with my laptop and what it is able to do... if it can't play games, i really couldn't careless... i am just asking a simple queston...

I run BF2 (medium GFX settings), CSS (medium-low), HL2 (medium-low), Halo (High)

All run fine with my 2.0Ghz macbook through XP in bootcamp

someguy. writes...

I run BF2 (medium GFX settings), CSS (medium-low), HL2 (medium-low), Halo (High)

All run fine with my 2.0Ghz macbook through XP in bootcamp

the other games sure, BF2 thats BS you can't run BF2 on a Intel GMA video card.

JamesBond JR writes...

bigger better slimmer, with way better components than a damn 13" macbook has to offer a macbook is just a toy

Macbook Pros are REAL laptops.

oh dear, someone else has fallen for the 'pro' and 'consumer' marketing crap from Apple..

SR Macbooks or even non SR Macbooks have very powerful dual cores, with capability from 3.2 to 4gb (for SR) of Ram and you can add a 7200rpm hdd if you want. There is nothing 'toy' about those specs

Not everyone uses a graph card or needs a 15" (or even backlit keyboard or firewire800) - you can still do 'pro' stuff on a macbook. I know a lot of professionals who use computers much slower and less powerful than the 'toy' macbook.

And build quality of MBP vs MB is arguable - many ppl find their MB is much more stronger and durable than the alum MBP

JamesBond JR writes...

the other games sure, BF2 thats BS you can't run BF2 on a Intel GMA video card.

It works fine on my macbook but not my mates.

Never known why.

Dont spend your life savings on a laptop you need food and shelter

JamesBond JR writes...

bigger better slimmer, with way better components than a damn 13" macbook has to offer a macbook is just a toy

Macbook Pros are REAL laptops.

Well realistically the main difference is the lack of a video card - that's about it - and my guess is that professionals would use their laptops to do work, not play games, so what's your point again?

aw, will you guys stop playing mean with the new kid and just reccomend some games ffs ?

I've got Tetris on my phone. I'd recommend that!!

Try emulators if you're into old school 16bit gaming.

kosta. writes...

and i am only 16 with no job spending my life savings on a laptop that is tailored to my own needs.

I must agree with the OP. Im 18, purchased my first Mac at 16. Its so hard to justify the money when you are either not working or working part time. The <$200 we make each week goes toward our luxuries, and for $2800 if i could choose between a computer and a PS3 or just a Computer i would take the first offer.

The GMA950 is not a "shit" chip. On my 9 month old Macbook i run 1.88ghz and 2G ram. The Chipset offers 64mb of Vram in OS X. BUT when booted into Windows, either XP or Vista, it offers the full amount available of 240+mb of Vram.
Its still not great, no where near as dedicated video, but i run games such as oblivion, WOW, and GTA with next to no problems. I sometimes get lagging or a little jerky video, but thats it.

I also run CS3 with out ay problems.

It should be ok for FIFA games, etc. especially if a wii or PS3 is on the cards.

Frembot writes...

Its still not great, no where near as dedicated video, but i run games such as oblivion, WOW, and GTA with next to no problems. I sometimes get lagging or a little jerky video, but thats it.

and that is wat i wanted to know.! thanks mate... i totally forgot about gta! i cant wait for leoparf and my two months of holidays (maybe ill get a job =O and buy a mbp! =O=O, or jst a ps3 and a nice lcd.. ) but i should really get a job... hmm

and just to clarify, i didnt spend my entire life savings (who in their right mind would?) on a little laptop that i am completely happy with... im not that stupid... sheesh! haha jks

Hey Kosta, if you are want to play games then go for it! You can run heaps of them at lowest resolution and lowest settings. So if you don't mind the graphics and simply want to have a run and shoot around, or a quick game then you can run:
- Quake 4
- HL2 --> TF2, CSS

No frets. You'll get about 20 - 30 fps (possibly higher) and it'll be acceptably smooth at low res and low settings.

Warcraft 3 (max settings no worries AT ALL) and WOW (medium) will run no worries on a Macbook.

You may struggle with Fifa 08 as the detailing in that is quite high, but again if you simply want to play and can live with compromised graphics (as you'd expect from a Macbook) then go for gold.

All the best with it mate, ignore the naysayers who say go buy a pro, you've already got your laptop and there's nothing you can do now. Be happy with it :D

deathray writes...

if you are want to play games then go for it
thanks mate

You may struggle with Fifa 08 as the detailing in that is quite high, but again if you simply want to play and can live with compromised graphics (as you'd expect from a Macbook) then go for gold.

i have been playing it on a toshiba laptop w/ integrated graphics so i assume i will get the same or similar quality... i am happy with that..! =]

All the best with it mate, ignore the naysayers who say go buy a pro, you've already got your laptop and there's nothing you can do now. Be happy with it
and yes i am very happy... thanks mate for the support...

kosta. writes...

i have been playing it on a toshiba laptop w/ integrated graphics so i assume i will get the same or similar quality

Ahh maybe not, because Bootcamp isn't necessarily "Windows" (I think). Something internal which I don't have any expertise to explain, but yes, it will be different.

You may want to try Parallels for gaming, just download the trial version of Parallels and test it on your Macbook and just give it a go. No loss, except a lil time. My mate's currently play TF2 using that and it works like a charm!

deathray writes...

You may want to try Parallels for gaming, just download the trial version of Parallels and test it on your Macbook and just give it a go.

have tried that. got cs running pretty weelll, albeit pretty choppy, but the mouse would go crazy... idn why...

and i believe bootcamp is jst windows, not an emulator or anyhin.. i stand to be corrected however...

oh, and what is TF2?

kosta. writes...

oh, and what is TF2?

Team Fortress 2
Came out alongside/with the Orange Box. Check it out! As Thorpey says: It's fully sick!

deathray writes...

As Thorpey says: It's fully sick!

i seriously jst LOLed

haha

orange box looks interesting...hmm

stop giving me ideas HAAH!

i tried to put counterstike on my latop with crossover but never got it working... dunno why... hmph... apparently you need some steam hing or something IDN!

i think ill just have to go get leopard and dig up my copy of xp... and try all thids for myself... or buy a ps3... hmf

Playing games on Macs = fail

Get a PS3 or 360, Wii is not gaming.

Zero Faze writes...

Playing games on Macs = fail

did you even read the whole thread?

Get a real pc for gaming , problem fixed
If your into sports type games a PS2 or WII will be fine .

More mac games are coming out since Mac OSX came out.

You might want to try these free mac native games:

OpenArena - FPS (also on win/linux) Bigpond GA host a server for it
www.openarena.ws/?about

Armagetron Advanced (tron type game) (also on win/linux)
armagetronad.net

Urban Terror - just like cs without steam (Bigpond GA have a server)
www.urbanterror.net

Wolf ET (wwii shooter)
www.macgamefiles.com/detail.php?item=18598

Wormux (just like worms)
www.wormux.org/wiki/en/index.php

Check out these sites;
www.macgamefiles.com/index.php?cat=1
www.opensourcemac.org/page2.php
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li...e_games_by_genre
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li...f_freeware_games

tafed00d writes...

since Mac OSX came out

OSX has been out for a while...

JamesBond JR writes...

That extra 1000 bucks covers more than just games.


Uh no. There's ultimately very little difference between the MB and MBP, except for the stand-alone video card which is basically only useful for playing games or for the rare application which relies on 3D hardware acceleration.

I fully knew this when buying the MBP. If games wasn't on my agenda, I probably would've bought a MB instead. It's a helluva price premium for gaming.

To answer the OP: gaming on the MacBook is barely tolerable. Of course you'd have to run the screen at a lower resolution and basically turn all the details down, and even then it'd be only passably smooth.

Kosta, good choice in buying a mac, i have a MBP and i play BF2 (battlefield 2) low graphics and COD 2 full graphics without a problem! I run them both in Bootcamp with NO lag! Just about any game will be ok, just run bootcamp.
Its basicly a PC with a better looking case in my opinion!

<quote>
You might want to try these free mac native games:
</quote>

thanks for the links...

mite have to try out urban teror (looks good as ) cant wait until the month is over so i can dl it!

Achtung Baby  writes...

If games wasn't on my agenda, I probably would've bought a MB instead. It's a helluva price premium for gaming.

which was exactly my reasoning 5 months ago... oh, and money =P

gaming on the MacBook is barely tolerable

which i am more than happy to accept seeing as i am getting my ps3 (or wii, havent decided yet) very soon... =]

battlefield 2142 on mac
www.apple.com/games

Achtung Baby  writes...

Uh no. There's ultimately very little difference between the MB and MBP, except for the stand-alone video card which is basically only useful for playing games or

Umm no Macbooks don't have OLED screens.

-Macbook pro's have Oled screens.

Macbooks dont' have a better sound card.

-Macbook pro have a better sound card.

Macbooks don't have anything bigger than 13.3 inch screens

-Macbook pros have 15 and 17 inch screens with a max res of up to 1680 x 1050

Macbooks don't get 2.4ghz or 2.6ghz core 2 duo CPUs

-Macbook pro get 2.2ghz 2.4ghz and 2.6ghz core 2 duo cpus

-Macbook pros have geforce 8600M GT 256mb video cards

Macbooks don't have any good video cards with dedicated graphic memory

So you saying little difference? My arse there is little difference.

JamesBond JR writes...

Umm no Macbooks don't have OLED screens.

Dude, can you just shut up, you don't add anything to this thread.
I'm more than sure Achtung Baby realises all the things you've pointed out.
Get off your high horse and why not contribute for once?

Both these posts can be deleted by mods if they so desire.

Back to kosta >>
With the Wii vs PS3 debate, simply ask yourself: Do you prefer to play with lots of friends (eg: casual gaming in a party setting) or would you prefer something more hardcore (where only trained gamers will have a decent chance when you play with them).

With the Wii anyone can join in with a couple of party games like Wario Ware and Wii Sports (there's others but they're the ones I play) and literally EVERYONE can join in as skill isn't of the top priority and then you have games like Metriod Prime and Zelda to keep you occupied.

With PS3 you've got the whole plethora of hot hot lookin games like GT5, FF series, MGS, Devil May Cry etc etc, but it's more on the single player/less party everyone involved style. Oh...and the bluray player...

For our family we chose Wii because 1) I play my games on computer, 2) we don't play console much, 3) everyone can play, so friends and stuff can join in without feeling akward or getting totally pwned by my elite skillz that killz...if I had a PS3 :P

deathray writes...

simply ask yourself: Do you prefer to play with lots of friends (eg: casual gaming in a party setting) or would you prefer something more hardcore (where only trained gamers will have a decent chance when you play with them).

I might just chime into this debate. Wii is great for if you regularly invite friends over, and they like to play games. PS3 is great if you prefer to play by yourself (or, play with your friends, online). As deathray said, Wii is more the 'party' atmosphere, PS3 is more the 'gaming' atmosphere. Just depends on what your definition of 'fun' is as to which one you choose. Do you prefer Mario or Resistance? Personally, I prefer the latter. I've got a PS3, and I love it. Anyways, this is getting way OT.

Mac AD writes...

and my guess is that professionals would use their laptops to do work, not play games

Hey! Us 'professionals' like to play games on our MacBook Pro's too you know!

If I didn't then I'd have bought a MacBook (which would have handled my 'professional work requirements' fine) :)

JamesBond JR writes...

Macbooks don't have anything bigger than 13.3 inch screens

-Macbook pros have 15 and 17 inch screens with a max res of up to 1680 x 1050

That is actually a down side to me!

My 15inch MacBook Pro is larger than I'd prefer for easy portable use since I don't use it on a desk (that's where my iMac lives).

I want an intel version of the old Powerbook 12inch with a discrete video card and a wide screen... I'm hoping the rumored macbook(pro?) mini won't be emasculated by onboard video.

If it has decent video then I'll buy one if not I'll persist with my MacBook Pro for mobile use.

bloody hell people, if u want to play games and u have the money u get a top of the range macbook pro, or gaming pc! if u dnt have money u get a gaming console pretty simple.
if u want portable games u get a psp! im 14 and 1/2 i should no seeing as i have all this stuff:)

JamesBond JR writes...

-Macbook pro's have Oled screens.

Pfft. It's a TFT with an LED BACKLIGHT (instead of flouro tube).

Not even slightly related to OLED.

www.apple.com/au/macbookpro/specs.html

*deleted

!m b3tt3r th@n y()u:) writes...

bloody hell people, if u want to play games and u have the money u get a top of the range macbook pro, or gaming pc! if u dnt have money u get a gaming console pretty simple.
if u want portable games u get a psp! im 14 and 1/2 i should no seeing as i have all this stuff:)

and the point of diging up a month old thread was to..... what exactly...? brag or... umm yeah... hmm

and also, your saying you have a mbp (top of the rrange), a gaming pc, a console and a psp? so wat r u, as per your post? do u hav the money, no money, or need to go portable? =]

also, games (sim city and gta:vc atm) work perfectly fine on my macbook thru bootcamp.... so, i guess i have a powerful mac, a gaming pc that suits my needs and a portable console all in one !

oh, and the ps3 is in hind sight now... a couple of weeks and ill be gaming on that too!

Mac AD writes...

Realistically the main difference is the lack of a video card - that's about it - and my guess is that professionals would use their laptops to do work, not play games, so what's your point again?

Well said! Actually anyone really serious about graphics doesn't use a laptop to get very serious with their work, and as far as things like wireless networking.... the MacBooks work extremely well... I certainly use mine every day for many things.. anything but games... but then maybe I'm just not "pro" enough?