Gaming on MacBook Air: FPS Recommendations?

I like single-player first-person shooter games (like Call of Duty, First to Fight, Quake series), but the reviews of these games seem to suggest that you need way more computing power than a MacBook Air. Does anyone have experience playing a good FPS on a (late 2010) MacBook Air? Any recommendations on smooth-running games? Which ones to avoid?
Note on First to Fight: This game played without a hiccup on my PowerBook G4, driving a 20" Cinema Display, so there must be at least a few games like it that run well on the MBA. I don't need the latest and greatest, but I'd like to get some idea of what my machine is capable of, and what graphics-intensive FPS games might run well on it. (Yeah yeah, Wolfenstein - beat you to it.)

It'll run Doom.
All kidding aside. I'd go so far as to say that the NVIDIA GeForce 320M (with 4GB of system RAM) is the best shared GPU that Apple has ever shipped on their computers, to date. Yeah, I like it even better than the Intel HD 3000 on the current 13" MBPs.
That being said, in both benchmarking and real world tests those two GPUs come out pretty "neck and neck" which is quite tragic considering the Intel HD 3000 is suppose to be the "newer and better" tech that was partnered with the i5 & i7 CPUs.
You're not going to be able to run high/max settings on any of those FPS games. Keep in mind that although much older, that G4 still had a dedicated GPU and a pretty good in its day. Shared GPUs are a whole different animal and are notoriously clunky for demanding games, or games with a lot of particle effects and environment detail.
If you're a gamer and gaming is a primary hobby/passion on your computer than I strongly encourage you to make the move to the 15" MBP or an iMac (if portability is unnecessary). While the MBA is a very capable machine, even one that is capable of handling games, you're either going to suffer in the FPS or have to reduce the visuals and to me the visuals are sometimes half the reason I enjoy playing the game in the first place.

Similar Messages

  • Gaming on macbook air 2012

    Ive bought a mba at july and i started getting bored with it so i installed bootcamp windows 8 and also tried installing windows 7. I play games like fifa 13 and counterstrike:GO. When i play games, the fan turns quite fast, and it gets a bot hot. The weird thing is that when i play fifa, it becomes moderate hot but when i tried playing minecraft, it was burning. But my only concern is the battery, since the game drains my battery really fast, i have to charge it about 2-3 times a day since i always take the charger out when it is 100%. Should i just keep the charger on even if it us 100% or any other recommendations ? Thank you very much
    Brian

    Hi Brian,
    You absolutely want to keep your machine plugged into the power adapter when you're playing games. There's no reason to rack up unnecessary charge cycles on your battery if it's going to be sitting on a desk or table while you're playing a game. You won't cause any harm to the machine or the battery keeping it plugged in, even at 100% battery charge, for extended periods while playing games.
    Given how the MacBook Air is designed, it's going to get toasty, it's only got one fan and there's only so much heat it can pull of the CPU/GPU and push out of the machine. If you're not using the machine on a flat, hard surface with appropriate ventilation that's going to be step #1. A cooling pad won't hurt anything, if anything it'll help but it's far from necessary. I've spent countless hours on my MacBook Air playing Diablo III, World of Warcraft and Starcraft II without a cooling pad on A/C power without any issues.
    Minecraft is going to run super hot because of Java, it absolutely cranks with the CPU/GPU and that's what is generating the heat.

  • I dont know wether to pick a macbook air or a mac because i want to use it for gaming purposes?

    I want to have a fast computer i can use for school to type papers but i also want it to be fast forgaming as well. Im stuck bewteen the macbook air and the mac desktop computer. Somone please Help.

    Hi, it is dependant on what games it is you would be looking at playing, as to which would suit for those purposes.
    The Latest MacBook Air (If you're looking at the basic model) has an Intel Core i7 Dual Core processor (1.7Ghz), whereas the latest basic iMac, has an Intel Dual Core i5 (2.7Ghz), so when you look at the processor speed and compare them, in theory the iMac would be "faster", when talking about processor speed.
    The MacBook Air ships with an SSD, no matter what spec you order, which would increase speed, however they are quite small for the basic model.
    The MacBook Air, ships with Intel HD 5000 Graphics, and the iMac ships with the nVidia GeForce GT640M 512MB GDDR Memory, and the iMac has many more "Configure to Order" options available, that would allow you to increase the performance of the computer should you want to.
    I can't find the amount of VRAM on the MacBook Air Graphics Card, but based on processor performance, and expandability (RAM Upgrades / HDD Upgrades / Graphics Card Upgrades) I would for gaming recommend the iMac, however there is a large price difference between the two.
    Obviously go and do a bit of comparing on the Apple Website, and read a couple of reviews before deciding, as they all cost quite a lot of money, and you want to make sure you get what you want for your money, so you're probably better reading reviews, as I own neither myself.
    Thanks,
    Ollie.

  • External monitor on MacBook Air looks terrible, recommendations?

    I'm a software developer and I want to be able to connect an external monitor to my MacBook Air 11".  The Apple store guy recommended a Belkin adaptor so I can connect my HDMI input devices.  The connection works, but even at 1080p resolution, there are jagged edges and the text looks horrible.  I tried an ASUS monitor and also my Samsung TV.  It looks fine when using my Windows 7 computer.  Is the adaptor no good? Is there a setting to turn on? What am I doing wrong?

    +1
    Laptop: MacBook Pro 11", Mid 2012 128Gb/8Gb
    External Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster T260 (HDMI input)
    Generic Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter that came with ATI graphics card I have in my PC

  • Is the new macbook air fast enough to play 100 fps gopro video fluidly?

    Hello,
    I'm interested in the new macbook air 13. I often use a gopro hero 3 black edition, filming with 100 fps in 960p for slow motion. Is the new macbook air able to play these video fluidly by just pressing the space button in the finder menu. I know that it does play the video fluidly when opening quiktime. If it doesn't work with the space button, would a Intel Core i 7 help. Thanks for your help

    After doing some research I found that when I play my video files they are capped at 24FPS on any PC or Mac.  Which has further confused me.
    So if someone could educate me on if it is possible to have my macbook(been using vlc player) draw more frames out out of a video file or of some other artificial method to get the most out of this TV.
    It could very well be possible that I will absolutely have to watch my movies using the physical disc and the appropriate blu-ray player to draw 240FPS but again, if someone could educate me on this I would be grateful.  I want to know for sure if it can or can't be done before making that purchase.
    Thanks!

  • Does my macbook air have a built in virus scan?  how can I access and use it? also any recommendations of what software if this is not avail ?

    does my macbook air have a built in virus scan?  how can I access and use it? also any recommendations of what software if this is not avail ?

    Contrary to what Geeks on Hugs is telling you, Mac OS X does indeed have a basic malware scanner. It is not a feature that is directly accessible to the user, and works a bit differently than every other malware scanner out there. Gatekeeper, which has been mentioned here, is entirely separate, and provides a different method for helping to protect you against malware.
    The anti-malware scanner in Mac OS X is called XProtect. When you download an application (or any other kind of executable code), it is automatically "quarantined," so that when you open it you're asked if you really want to do that. I'm sure you're very familiar with this aspect of Mac OS X if you have ever downloaded any apps from outside the App Store. What you don't know, though, is that each time you try to open a new app, that app is checked by XProtect. If it is identified as malware, you will not be allowed to open it, and will be warned that it's malware.
    At this time, there is no known malware that can infect a properly up-to-date Mac. All current malware will be blocked by one or more methods.
    For more information, see my Mac Malware Guide.
    (Fair disclosure: I may receive compensation from links to my sites, TheSafeMac.com and AdwareMedic.com.)

  • Macbook Air or Gaming PC

    I would bring the Air to my high school to take notes, but my school is getting Chromebooks which I'm not excited for. I don't know what games I play that would last a long time to be $800. The PC is $$823 and the refurbished Air is $800.

    The MacBook Air is a great lightweight computer.  But it is not designed for the heavy loads imposed by advanced gaming.  Things like 3-D gaming are going to be too much for the processor and graphics processor and the heat they will produce.  If you are into high level gaming it would be better getting a PC that is designed for gaming.

  • TS3408 I have a MacBook Air and suddenly Safari cannot find the Facebook server. I am out of my home country but no problem with my iPhone. Laptop was no problem either until now. Any recommendation?

    I have a Mac Air and suddenly Safari can't find the Facebook server. I am out of my home countryt but no problem with my iPhone's Safari. Any recommendations? I would like to put some pictures on Facebook from iPhoto. Thanks.

    you cannot keep up with all of the interfaces 'cause they do not even allow you to use the older os.
    You should be able to upgrade to Mountain Lion via the App Store applicaiton on your Macbook Air.   You do not have to upgrade, but it should be an option.
    I can't even get an ichat acct 'cause, help?
    iChat can use AOL Instant Messenger accounts (they are free), iChat can use Google Talk (Jabber) accounts (actually any Jabber based chat service).   And if you upgrade to Mountain Lion, you shoul be able to get an Apple iCloud account that can be used with the Messages replacement for iChat (think of Messages as being iChat renamed, with additional features).
    Oh and my battery very close to a year after buying it, which is one of the reasons I was so called to it, the battery life.  Well, having it stripped down to minimal usage, while working on nothing crazy, I could be cordless from nevver reahing 100% anymore, just under that, but gets to 20 percent in about 3 hours. No audio, no video, light low, it bothers me anyway.  Please, this is also a huge problem.
    Every battery today, has a limited number of recharges (not just Apple's).   Depending on how many times it has been recharged, will affect how much power it will eventually hold. <http://www.apple.com/batteries/>
    I know that generally after about 2 years of use (my use, not yours) I find that my batteries have very little life left in them (I frequently have my devices plugged in, so running fully on batteries only is most likely less than yours).
    You can have your battery replaced by Apple (for a fee) or by an authorized Apple repair facility.

  • Macbook Air 2014 refurbished or $822 Gaming PC?

    Hi,
    This question may be a matter of my own decision, but I hope someone can help me answer this, here's my situation:
    I'm 15, a freshman in high school. I would get this money for Christmas. On the Macbook air side, I want a computer to use in school and for casual use at home. I have a Mac mini already, but I need something portable. My school provided us with Chromebooks, but they restricted a lot of apps that are useful to me. On the other side, I have the PC. I would use it to game, and use demanding apps like inventor for my engineering class. My only problem with the PC is I don't have many friends  with PCs and I already have an Xbox and ps4. Thanks

    The Air is a great computer, light and easy to carry around.  Would have easy compatibility with our Mini.  As for gaming, it would not be great with high level, demanding gaming.  As for using with engineering courses, if you need PC programs you can easily download and install a BootCamp partition and then install Windows to run PC software.

  • MacBook Pro 2012 vs MacBook Air 2012 gaming

    Which one is better for gaming such as WoW,guild wars 2 ,day z and elder scrolls when it comes out thanks
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-MD760B-MacBook-1-3GHz-Graphic/dp/B00DCR3SP2/ref=sr _1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393342270&sr=8-1&keywords=MacBook+Air and http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-13-inch-MacBook-2-5GHz-Graphics/dp/B008BEYEL8/ref= sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393342298&sr=8-1&keywords=MacBook+Pro

    Yeah I know but I'm sick of my laptops dying on me and finally making the leap to mac but those two are the only ones in my price range I'd like it to play games such as those but doesn't the air have intel hd 5000 while the pro only 4000?

  • I just ordered a macbook air today and need to know if the 128gb SSD is enough space. I presently have a macbook pro and am using only 30gb hard drive space so, the apple rep said 128 is enough as I do not load much pictures or gaming etc. Also is i5 ok.

    I just ordered a macbook air today and need to know if the 128gb SSD is enough space. I presently have a macbook pro and am using only 30gb hard drive space so, the apple rep said 128 is enough as I do not load much pictures or gaming etc. Also is i5 ok.

    Id choose the I5 yes, depends on what your usage is going to be,
    ....your question about "128 gig being enough" begs the question for IDEALIZED USE of your macbook AIr
    In the case of a Macbook Air with ‘limited’ storage on the SSD, this distinction becomes more important in that in an ever rapidly increasing file-size world, you keep vital large media files, pics, video, PDF collections, music off your SSD and archived on external storage, for sake of the necessary room for your system to have free space to operate, store future applications and general workspace.  You should never be put in the position of considering “deleting things” on your macbook SSD in order to ‘make space’.
    *Generally, unless you NEED the data at least once every few weeks or once a month,...it really does'nt NEED to be on the SSD of your Macbook Air.
    Professionals who create and import very large amounts of data have almost no change in the available space on their computers internal HD because they are constantly archiving data to arrays of external or networked HD.
    Or in the case of the consumer this means you keep folders for large imported or created data and you ritually offload and archive this data for safekeeping, not only to safeguard the data in case your macbook has a HD crash, or gets stolen, but importantly in keeping the ‘breathing room’ open for your computer to operate, expand, create files, add applications, for your APPS to create temp files, and for general operation.
    Ive got more APPS than any human should have on my 128gig AIR,..(50 or so),....and 10gig of working data, important files etc etc.
    Still have 82gig available....... the entire point is that someone shouldnt consider the Air a "storage device" for tons of pics, music, vids, etc.
    *Never consider any computer a data storage device at any time under any circumstance, rather a data creation, sending, and manipulation device. Anyone who thinks data is safe on any computer, even copied upon multiple partitions is making a mistake that will, without fail, strike.
    For needs of packing around a LOT of "big data" with your Air in its case..., get a nice 1TB HD for $70, or even a 2TB drive not much bigger.
    Perfect 2TB HD, very slim, the "little giant"   made by Toshiba (have several of these) $119
    http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Connect-Portable-HDTC720XK3C1/dp/B00CGUMS48 /ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1379182740&sr=1-4&keywords=2tb+toshiba
    *This one is the BEST  external HD available that money can buy:
    $75
    HGST Touro Mobile 1TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
    http://www.amazon.com/HGST-Touro-Mobile-External-HTOLMX3NA10001ABB/dp/B0062FZ2WS /ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1379185002&sr=1-1&keywords=hitachi+extern a l+hard+drive

  • Please recommend portable printer for MacBook Air

    Please recommend portable printer for MacBook Air...preferably budget but will consider investment for very good value and support. Ease of use is key.
    on the road but have access to Target, Best Buy type places. Thank you.

    The answer that "any"  printer from the popular vendors is simply not correct, however if you want a list of current compatible devices please click Printer and scanner software for Snow Leopard & Lion

  • What package do you recommend with buying a new macbook air?

    I am looking to buy a MacBook Air.  I'd like a much storage as possible, speed as posible and to edit photos, etc (but don't want to pay for more than I need).  Thanks.  I am hoping to use my new MacBook Air seamlessly with my iPad2 for pages documents (sinced to the cloud).

    1. Opt for the 8 GB memory upgrade. For $100, it will absolutley give the biggest "bang for buck", in terms of performance upgrades. Since you can never upgrade the memory later, it is a necessity to include the option with your purchase.
    2. 256 GB is a reasonable amount of SSD, provided that your iTunes library is under around 32 GB, and you don't plan on storing too much in the way of movies or other space intensive files. It is also enough if you possibly plan to run a simple Windows installation with a VM product like Fusion or Parallels. Consider the larger 500 GB selection if you think you will be storing large amounts of data. Only yop will know what you will need. I say estimate your need, then double it. I have about 175 GB on my system right now, and use Windows and have a modest iTunes libary, with a few movies. I opted for the 500 GB SSD, so I have some room.
    3. Upgrade the processor only if you will be needing the device for light gaming, video editing, or any other processor or graphics intensive work. The base processor is pretty good, and the upgrade is only a modest increase in performace, so this will be the least likely upgrade to consider if money is tight.

  • Is mackeeper an official Mac product and do you recommend that I install it on my macbook air?

    is MacKeeper an official Mac product and do you recommend that I install it on my macbook air?

    Mackeeper is pure evil garbageware
    No no and no

  • MacBook Air Gaming Performance

    I plan on getting the MacBook Air with i7, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD. My question is how well this machine can run games? Obviously it isnt a gaming machine, but how well will it run games like Counter Strike Global Offensive or Garry's Mod? How bout Minecraft? Or even something like Portal 2? Thanks for all answers!

    First thing you'll need to do is get used to checking the game specs to see if the game supports Intel integrated graphics. If it does you can expect it will perform acceptably to well only at the lower graphic settings. The MBA isn't a gaming machine, especially for games that involve high definition 3D rendering. That said, I do play Diablo III and SimCity 4 & 5 on a computer that has slightly less powerful graphics than the current MBA. But there are games that I can't play on that machine at all because they require a discrete video card.

Maybe you are looking for