I’ve noticed that Windows and MacBook users can never agree on anything. It’s like an impossible debate, except for one thing. We all can agree that MacBooks aren’t really that great if your main purpose is gaming, even with the M1 & M2 Chips.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t play any games on your MacBooks. There are still many people out there that do gaming on Macs.
Besides performance issues, the most popular games today aren’t optimized for macOS. Windows is the platform of choice. But why does a company like Apple – arguably the largest tech company today – not make computers that support dedicated gaming?
Reasons Why People Don’t Game on MacBooks
Here are the 4 main reasons why Apple isn’t a great laptop for gaming
- Hardware
- Gaming Support
- Software Optimization
- Upgradability
Why?
Playing games on a Mac can be challenging because most games are designed to work on Windows computers. There are more Windows users than Mac users, so game developers tend to focus on creating games for Windows. Even if more developers started making games for Mac, it would take time for Mac gaming to become popular.
Mac hardware is not built for gaming. Although Macs are great for productivity tasks, they’re not optimized for gaming. Gaming laptops require powerful hardware components that generate a lot of heat and need hefty cooling solutions. Macs are not designed for this.
Apple optimizes their software and hardware for day-to-day tasks, office and business work, and professional tasks. However, gaming applications are not able to take advantage of Macs’ full hardware potential like regular productivity applications.
Most modern gaming laptops can be upgraded to keep up with the requirements of modern games. Macs, on the other hand, are notorious for upgradability issues. Most modern MacBooks feature soldered hardware components, which means upgrading them is difficult, if not impossible. This is another reason why MacBooks are not suitable for gaming.
Fun Fact: Did You Know MacBook Once Was Good for Gaming?
Interestingly, Apple devices weren’t always in the bad light in the gaming world. Back in the 80s, in the days of the earliest Macintosh computers, the devices were touted as excellent home entertainment platforms. They were characterized by advanced graphics hardware and better display compared to the competition available at the time. Naturally, it was easier, and it made much sense for developers to create interactive games.
However, there was more money to be made in the business and enterprise sector, and Apple was having a hard time breaking into that market. Office workers would request Apple devices, but the employers were worried they could waste time playing games instead of being productive. So, the company sought to separate itself from the gaming market.
Will The M2 Chip Bring Back Mac Gaming?
The M2 chip, introduced in 2022, supports the fastest MacBooks made by Apple. According to the tech company, the M2 chip has the world’s fastest CPU core and the world’s best CPU performance per watt. One of its exciting highlights is the “System on a Chip” design that integrates several hardware components like RAM, CPU, GPU, and more on a single chip. This unifies memory architecture and eliminates the need for hardware components to transfer data to one another. Instead, they are all able to access the same data pool, thereby increasing system speed and efficiency.
Thus far, there are indications that games that have had setbacks running on the Intel-powered chips can now run on M2 macs with minimal setbacks. The streamlining of system architecture could improve graphics rendering, GPU performance, load time, frame rates for an optimized gaming experience. This doesn’t take away the other limitations that still exist, but it presents some likelihood for future improvements on mac.
Which MacBook Model Is The Best For Gaming?
If you want to get the best MacBook for gaming, we recommend the MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M1 Max chip that was released in 2021. It’s one of the most expensive MacBooks out there.
The M1 Max chip is currently the best processor you can get for MacBooks, hence making it the best possible gaming laptop. In 2023 they will release, most likely M2 Max chip.
Another great option would be the MacBook Pro 14-inch with M1 Max Chip. The key difference would be a smaller screen.
Another Option to consider is the Mac Studio M1 Ultra. It’s the only Apple device that’s equipped with M1 Ultra Chip. It’s not a laptop, but it could handle gaming better than other Apple laptops.
Which MacBooks Gamers Should Avoid?
If you want to do some gaming on your MacBook, you should avoid getting MacBook Air and Mac Mini. Even with the new M2 chip MacBook Air won’t be able to handle heavy gaming.
Both MacBook Air and Mac Mini are good for your basic daily needs, but they don’t have the necessary GPU to handle gaming.
What Do People That Game On Mac Have To Say?
I’ve been going on and on about the fact that MacBooks aren’t great for gaming, but it might sound very subjective. Let’s add other people’s responses as well. So you can get a better picture.
Verdict
MacBooks have always lagged behind PC when it comes to game support. The company decidedly does not optimize its devices for gaming. With the introduction of the M1 & M2 chip, there seems to be some hope on the horizon for Mac gaming, but there’s so much that’s yet to be seen.
If you’re currently on a fence between Windows & MacBook and gaming is an important factor in your life, you will do much better with a Windows gaming laptop. The games are better optimized for Windows OS than the macOS, which alone presents more gaming opportunities.
I like to play games myself, and playing games on my MacBook feels a bit desperate. I tried World of Warcraft recently on my Mac, and it was playable, but I couldn’t enjoy the game. FPS was 40; I kept lagging, and it just ruined the overall experience, I do not recommend.
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Ernests is the founder and chief editor at WolfofLaptop, with extensive experience as an editor and writer for numerous other tech blogs. His journey into the world of tech blogging evolved from a background in marketing, eventually leading him to become a full-time tech enthusiast. Ernests has successfully merged his marketing expertise with his passion for technology. He has a deep affection for computers, iPads, and smartphones, and his writing style is geared toward offering helpful insights to a global audience. Ernests specializes in crafting comprehensive guides, buyer's guides, and news articles.
In his spare time, Ernests enjoys staying active with activities like running and sports. He's also an avid movie enthusiast and finds relaxation in gaming, particularly on his trusty PS5.