22 replies to this topic

[MadBomberMan]

Not trying to violate any TOS and I've read plenty of threads here mentioning that it is possible to do using "boot camp" (never mind the inevitable arguments over which is "better")...

But I have yet to see with my own eyes a video that shows *** is possible (and henceforth what kind of frames/rendering etc.)

Long story short it's "new laptop day" coming next week and MWO gives me such pleasure that it's a big selling point whether or not it can be run...

Now...to head off any arguments at the pass, another strong selling point for me is the portability and lack of weight of the AIR model.

I have pretty good eyesight and do not need a 15 or 17 inch monitor, just the horsepower of a (fast enough processor) snappy solid state hard drive tank portability to take anywhere.....

...and of course my precious mechs.

So, without starting any wars can someone post a video showing their machine and playing awesone MWO on their mac? Because I cannot find a single video on YouTube

Thanks!

[Voivode]

If you have another Mac you may want to try some experiments. The portion of the gaming community that uses mac computers for gaming is quite small and this isn't a game with AAA size audience, so you'll probably have a bit of trouble finding someone who can answer this.

Who knows, though, maybe the next poster will prove me wrong.

If you don't mind my asking, does it absolutely have to be a mac?

Edited by Voivode, 08 May 2015 - 09:10 AM.

[MadBomberMan]

Voivode, on 08 May 2015 - 09:05 AM, said:

...this isn't a game with AAA size audience

If you don't mind my asking, does it absolutely have to be a mac?

I thought so from the long que times...

To answer your question, no sir, it does not absolutely have to be a Mac. In fact, when I saw the ROG by Asus...with Fighter jet like heat vents that was my first pick.

But what appeals to me is the light weight slender quality of the MAC AIR. The idea that it can be toted in a paper folder, let alone an instrument case for recording sessions/jams just blew my mind. The Asus ROG reflects it's high performance in weight and size.

Ideally I'm looking at the 13" AIR with all upgrades (2.2 - 3.2Ghz, 8 gigs SDRAM, snappy 512 G solid state) and small enough to fit in a guitar case....

And the ability to run both OS

[Gagis]

I have used several operating systems on a mac before (OS X and Linux) and am currently running MWO on top of Linux with tools that are also available on Mac, with similar performance (poor) that I would be getting if my laptop had a Windows OS. It can be done.

However, macbook air has Intel HD Graphics 6000, which might not be enough to run MWO smoothly on any OS. I think MWO should run on it on Low settings, but no quarantees.

[MadBomberMan]

Guys... (and/or gals)....

Just stopped by the not so local mall which conveniently has both Microsoft and Apple stores and this is what I came up with....

The MAC Boot AIR whilst sleek and sexy design (oh mercy is the chassis sexy) is still "not designed for gaming" straight from the horses mouth (Apple rep). So that's that although when I asked to see the 11" model he told me that was what I was looking at. 11" screen totally doable.

It was like trying to push a square peg through a round hole. As helpful as he was, we popped over to the mwo website to see the minimum requirements, and as much as I wanted this ultra...uh...I hate to use the word again but ultra sexy design (admit it!) that could almost fit into a Trapper Keeper (I'm dating myself here) it was disappointing to realize the truth: expensive box not designed for my needs.

Then I stopped over to the Microsoft Store with a half hearted "what do you have that competes with the AIR?"

The answer....Pro Surface 3....and supposedly later thus year: The Pro Surface 4 (which will hopefully be designed as sleek and as sexy as the MAC book AIR)...so I think I'm gonna wait...

[mailin]

You need to have a discreet graphics card, which the ASUS Rog has, but the surface Pro lacks, I believe. Note that if the specs say, "integrated graphics", or "Intel graphics" of any kind, including HD6000, the graphics are on the CPU and MWO will not work.

[Gagis]

If I wanted a small and slim laptop that can handle MWO, I would buy something like this: http://mysn.eu/xmg-c405-gaminglaptop

MYSN usually uses Clevo chassis and similar machines are sold in the USA under the brand Sager, if you happen to live on the wrong side of the pond.

[Gregor Utama]

I used to run MWO with low settings using bootcamp with Windows 7 until upgrading to Yosemite broke bootcamp. FPS barely bordered on playable, I am now using a Clevo based notebook with a Nvidia 980M SLI setup.

Just get a Razor Blade if you insist on the form factor of the MBA. Otherwise, your money is better spent on other Windows gaming rigs.

Edited by Gregor Utama, 09 May 2015 - 05:18 AM.

[MadBomberMan]

Okay I just did the multi quote thing but I don't see the quoted text anywhere...

Anyways..regarding having to have an integrated graphics card, I am still able to run MWO on my ASUS Essentio (tower) that I boughf for~$450 3 YEARS AGO! Considering the price point, this machine has been a champ. Of course I have everything on low settings but still.

Regarding the Schnker laptop, there's stll nothing like the attractive design of the 11" Air IMHO. You can practically carry it around in your pocket, but I will keep this in mind, thanks.

[FireDog]

Note PGI has announced they will be raising the bar (read Higher Specs) to play this game. Bigger maps and destructible terrain (say partial effects city) are just around the corner. Do not paint yourself in a corner with a low spec gadget that might play the game now in low setting just to have frustrations later. No not equate a tablet PC to a gaming rig... or even your average desktop. There are some laptops out there that do this game some justice but that is where the line is now. IMHO tablets have their place, portable, handy, stay connected with email, Facebook, twitter/text, pod cast, watch streaming, day planers/calenders and taking video and pictures, but playing higher end games.... just say no.

Edited by FireDog, 09 May 2015 - 08:55 AM.

[grendeldog]

So here's the deal: running in a Parallels virtual machine on Windows 7 runs fine - provided you have the hardware to support it.

I ran it as medium settings on a Parallels virtual machine on a 2013 top-spec retina MacBook Pro. I did get some instability on the grasshopper, but not on any other mech.

What I really recommend is setting up a small Windows partition using boot camp. I now run it natively, and it runs at high settings with mid 40 to mid 50 FPS. Likely it could go to top settings, but I haven't bothered since it's so pretty as it is and runs perfectly.

If you have any specific questions, PM me and we'll talk.

[TheCaptainJZ]

As others have said, this game simply isn't good for laptops except gaming ones or tablets of any kind.
It's just too demanding on hardware especially CPU and the graphics card. A dedicated graphics card is a necessity for any serious PC games.

[Hamish McPiton]

I was also looking for a new laptop that would get at least 30 fps or so and went the other way and built a small tower with a low profile graphics card for a third of the price. But if you want portable you are going to pay for it. My 3 year old HP 17" laptop could get maybe low 20 fps, which is barely playable. Cryengine is just to much of a hog to run on low end stuff.

[Voivode]

Not sure about budget (I assume if you were even considering a Mac you've got at least a decent amount of cash) but you may want to get the sleek/sexy/portable macbook for what it is (sleek, sexy and portable ) and put together a desktop gaming rig. Building your own desktop gaming rig will really keep costs down compared to getting one from a box store or buying a gaming laptop.

If you're interested here's a good place to start. Newegg.com

[LiquidDivide]

I run MWO on my 2010 iMac using bootcamp. There's nothing special about it. I'm pretty sure all Macs ship with a discrete graphics card, so you don't have to worry about that, but double check just in case.

Boot camp is simply partitioning your hard drive with a windows bootable partition. When you start your computer, you can select which operating system to boot in. Both in OS X and Windows modes there is an easy way to say restart with a different OS. Once you have it setup, it's no different than running any other PC.

I have an older mac, so my gpu isn't great ( ATI HD 4850) and I can run the game at a stable 30fps just fine. I run it at low settings at highest resolution. You can run it higher with lower resolutions on this card, but I find it tends to heat up quickly if I do.

To use bootcamp, you need a valid windows 7 license and install CD. You can download the install CD if you have a license. Once you have a license and CD just open System Preferences -> Bootcamp. It will guide you through the install process. It's relatively painless.

After that, just download the game and enjoy.

I can post a video of it, or at least a picture of it later tonight.

EDIT: I can run the game at 60FPS, but again it heats up quickly, and I really don't notice a difference between 30 and 60 fps. I have it setup to not exceed 30 FPS. I can run the game all day at these settings with no heat issues.

Edited by LiquidDivide, 12 May 2015 - 08:13 AM.

[MadBomberMan]

Quote function not working...

@Liquid Divide

I don't suppose your older MAC is an 11" AIR, is it?
Again the selling point for me is the incredible portability, yet Apple rep cannot download the game to show me, its obvious to me that he don't need the sale.

[Smoked]

Even with a high spec'ed PC, this game crashes to desktop often, etc. There are too many bugs and not enough optimization to use a non gaming laptop or tablet.

[MadBomberMan]

The other night I had a dream...

...that the MAC AIR 11" FULLY HOTRODDED and with all the upgrades (except for expensive ass thunderbolt ********) ran all my current favorite games flawlessly.

Someone please verify....c'mon, don't ruin this for me.
o7 11" AIR

[Escaflow]

MadBomberMan, on 28 May 2015 - 07:10 PM, said:

[...]
Someone please verify....c'mon, don't ruin this for me.
o7 11" AIR

4G RAM -> to low
1,6-2,7GHz -> Maybe... but only 2 Cores
Intel HD Graphics 6000 -> nope... just...nope

These kind of Net-books aren't meant to play games so they lack the specs to do so.

I Bought a similar Netbook 2-3 Jears ago (1GHz, 4G Ram, HD 67XX) but i wouldn't even try to play a Crytec Game on it.

[M E X]

MadBomberMan, on 08 May 2015 - 08:25 AM, said:

...
But I have yet to see with my own eyes a video that shows *** is possible (and henceforth what kind of frames/rendering etc.)
...
...
another strong selling point for me is the portability and lack of weight of the AIR model
...

YouTube resolution is too low !
You can have a DVD image (1.5GB) from me with 2 CW missions of approximatly 30 min each ... IF you tell me a URL where I can upload it for you without too much problems ( like creating a account, too much commercials and virus and rootkits and ... )
OR you can visit my Google+ @ https://plus.google....69510358/videos where I have uploaded a video from my MacBookPro 9,1 which I use since summer 2013 for playing MW0

The MacBookPro 9,1 has a 650mobile GPU (2nd gen MBP, last version before the RETINA MBP), so your MacBook Air might not be able to reach my performence as these usually dont have a GPU !
UserBenchmark: Nvidia GeForce GT 650M vs Intel HD 6000 (Mobile)
Effective 3D Gaming GPU Speed: 11.1% vs 12.2%
Nvidia GeForce GT 650M - 156th / 489
Intel HD 6000 (Mobile) - 144th / 489

I usually play in the native resolution of 1440x900 with up to 60 FPS ( more than 60 FPS is not possible on my MBP, probably because of a OPTIMUS chipset ... ) in medium to very high settings.
After nearly 2 years of extensive playing MW0 on my MBP, the internal keyboard is getting worn out, especialy at the movement cross ( W,A,S,D and X keys ) so I suggest the use of a USB GAMING KEYBOARD and a GAMING MOUSE !
I am currently using Windows 8.1 with a Logitech G300 mouse and since a few days a cheap USB keyboard which I intend to replace with a real gaming keayboard as soon as I can afford it.

MfG, MEX

PS:

Escaflow, on 28 May 2015 - 11:43 PM, said:

...
Intel HD Graphics 6000 -> nope... just...nope
...

AFTER adding the benchmark, I was quite surprised that the HD6000 is nearly as good as a 650m !
Depending on the CPU of the MacBookAir, he might actually reach a even better performance than my 3 years old MBP9,1 with 8GB RAM and a Intel Core i7 Ivy Bridge 2.7 GHz (3820QM) CPU ... but he definitly needs to get the most expensive new model 7,1 with 2.2 GHz (i7-5650U) Intel Core i7 and 8 GB RAM !

Accourding to http://cpuboss.com/c...-Core-i7-3820QM there are 2 weak points:
1st 5650U only has 2 cores compaired to the 4 cores of the 3820QM
2nd GPU clock speed is only 300 MHz compaired to 650 MHz

Conlusion: The HD 6000 GPU seems OK, but I suggest waiting for a newer model of the MacBook Air with more than 2 core ... or getting a more powerfull MacBook Pro !
If you have the cash for a expensive MacBook Air AND a stationary gaming desktop, get BOTH as the MacBook Air seem good enough for playing MW0 with low resolution and low settings during your travels.
But for really enjoying MW0 it lacks the performance AND the resolution as it only has HDready(1366x768).
You can forget the M$ Surface pro mentioned earlier, as it has a less powerfull CPU and a older HD 4000.

Edited by M E X, 29 May 2015 - 05:05 AM.