/Mac Tips /Why Are Macs Bad for Gaming? [Reasons Released in 2020]
Who doesn’t want a Mac? Everybody does. Well, except for gamers. If you’re a serious gamer, you’re probably not playing on your Mac. That is if you even have a Mac.
As a serious gamer, you already know the answer to the question, why are Macs bad for gaming? You pretty much know the reasons why you can’t play the games that you love on a Mac.
Apple's Mac computers may be good at a lot of things, but they aren't the best machines for gaming. Here are some big reasons why they suck for games. Here is the catch though, many online reviews have looked into EGPU gaming on Mac specifically. It is not that they are being ignorant, just that frankly it is an interesting subject to talk about. Macs were okay gaming machines, having some ports of PC games that were superior on the Mac, but that was back in the late 1980s-to-early 1990s, when an Amiga would have been your best bet for a. The first one is the newly released Windows 10 in the list of best OS for gaming.
However, do you know that there is now a way for you to enjoy the games you love on your Mac? Stick around and you will learn more about it here.
For the sake of the others who don’t know the answer to the question, why are Mac bad for gaming, well, there are three reasons why. Read on to learn more about them.
Article GuidePart 1: Reasons for Why Are Macs Bad for GamingPart 2: Cloud Gaming is Now Possible on Mac Bonus Tip: A Powerful Tool to Optimize A Mac Machine for Better Performance
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Part 1: Reasons for Why Are Macs Bad for Gaming
Reason #1: Macs Were Not Marketed as Gaming Machines
Let’s walk down memory lane. Did you know that Mac was actually known to have some awesome games in it? Yes, it’s true. During the 80’s that was exactly what the scenario was for Mac.
Between the Mac and the PC, the latter was known to be more functional than a gaming machine. Hence, Mac was the one that was known to be as a fun, gaming machine.
All that changed when Apple decided to rebrand itself. They started to position themselves as a more serious brand in the market. They wanted to go beyond the fun and learning functions of a computer so that they could be taken more seriously. Hence, they downplayed the concept of gaming in their culture.
Apple just didn’t want to be known as a fun machine in the business. They didn’t want people in the workplaces to end up playing games on their computers.
Over time, it was realized that the workplace didn’t really need serious computers. As long as the computers were functional, they were good to go.
As Windows made its way in the workplace, it also created and developed APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) so that it was easy to program a game for Windows. That pretty much paved the way for PCs to enter the homes, with parents focusing on productivity and kids focusing on games.
As that was happening, Apple was still focusing on how to position themselves as serious machines in the market. With the market gearing towards PCs for gaming. Apple was pretty much able to appeal to a different kind of audience, which obviously did not consist of serious gamers.
Reason #2: Hardware Is Not Powerful Enough for Gaming
No one can deny that Apple products are awesome. However, not everyone can afford them. They’re pretty expensive, right?
Cost is not the only reason as to why some folks prefer a PC over a Mac. Face it, there are a lot of things that can be done on a PC for free. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case with Mac. For serious gamers, the cost is not the only reason why they prefer a PC over Mac.
So, why are Macs bad for gaming? When it comes to gaming, the hardware is king. It needs to be able to support powerful graphic cards that can run games.
Sure, the processors of most Macs are pretty good. Only the Mac books, specifically the Mac Book Pro has a Quad-core Processor. Yes, the displays are awesome as well on almost all Macs. When it comes to RAM and storage, they’re not bad as well. As a matter of fact, both Mac Books and their desktop versions are pretty good in terms of RAM and storage.
There’s just one thing that horrible in Macs when it comes gaming and that is the graphics. Most Mac models rely on integrated Intel graphics cards that are underpowered. Needless to say, integrated graphic cards aren’t great for gaming. Even with the best APUs, they’re just not going to work well at all.
Even if iMacs have their own dedicated graphic cards, they’re still not able to run a lot of games. Since Macs are more expensive than PCs, it makes it a very odd choice for gaming. PC is definitely a more affordable choice and it performs very well for gaming.
So why are Macs bad for gaming? Well, the answer is that their hardware is not cut out for gaming. It’s not powerful enough to run all the games for the serious gamer.
To make matter worse, their OS isn’t very popular when it comes to games. Compared to the 20000 games available on Windows, there are only about 7000 games available on Mac.
This is not to say that Mac is an inferior product because it definitely isn’t. It’s just not designed for gaming.
Reason #3: Macs Are Expensive to Upgrade
Serious gamers are always upgrading their hardware. The reason for that is because games are becoming more and more advanced. So, the next generation of games will always need more powerful hardware.
Unfortunately, Macs are not upgradable. They can’t be torn apart for the sole purpose of running a game. An attempt to do that would cost a lot of money. Hence, is the reason why serious gamers do not consider the Mac as a gaming machine.
Part 2: Cloud Gaming is Now Possible on Mac
How Good Is My Computer For Gaming
So, a Mac may not be an ideal machine for gaming. However, it could be used for cloud gaming. Now, what exactly is cloud gaming?
Cloud gaming allows the gamer to have external accessibility to a computer or PC that’s on the cloud. The gamer uses the processing power of his or her Mac so that he or she is able to play some games.
How is that made possible? It’s made possible by NVIDIA’s GeForce Now.
GeForce Now for Mac offers ease-of-use and overall compatibility with a good number of popular PC games.
For serious gamers who want to experience playing on a Mac, here’s how GeForce Now can be set up.
- Navigate to the GeForce Now website
- Click on Download Now For Mac.
- Drag and drop it to your Applications folder.
- Launch the GeForce Now application.
- Sign into the GeForce Now application.
- Run a network test to check computer, network connection, internet service provider, and choose the closest NVIDIA GeForce Now server for better bandwidth and experience.
- Go to the top, right-hand side of the screen to Manage Team. That will launch another application for the Steam environment.
- Launch and run Steam. Choose and install a game to play.
The performance of GeForce Now is very impressive. It can run a lot of games with very low latency experience.
Hence, GeForce Now gives the gamer the ability to play PC games without having the need to run Windows on Mac. It also gives the gamer the ability to play games instantaneously without having to run an installer.
Considering the fact that GeForce Now is still in the beta stage, it’s just going to get better when it’s finally released.
Since GeForce Now is still in the beta stage, it’s still free of use. When it’s fully launched, it’s going to come with a monthly fee.
Bonus Tip: A Powerful Tool to Optimize A Mac Machine for Better Performance
Thanks to GeForce Now, it’s now possible to play games on Macs. Since there is no need to download any games with the GeForce Now, any Mac machine can be used to run any kind of PC games. Cloud gaming through GeForce Now levels up to the gaming experience on Mac.
To ensure the optimum performance of any Mac machine, it’s best to make use of the iMyMac PowerMyMac software. The PowerMyMac software not only cleans up a Mac machine; it also helps optimize its performance. This is very important especially if the Mac machine is going to be used for cloud gaming.
Since the PowerMyMac software cleans and optimizes a Mac machine, it helps speed it up as well. Again, that’s crucial in cloud gaming. Even if everything else is on the cloud, it is still critical to have a good running Mac machine to play the games. Needless to say, the PowerMyMac software can help any Mac machine perform better and faster. It can speed up a Mac with just a couple of clicks.
The PowerMyMac is compatible with macOS 10.10/10.11/10.12/10.13/10.14.
In Conclusion
The answers to the question, why are Macs bad for gaming, are pretty evident now. There are a lot of reasons why Macs aren’t ideal for gaming. One could also surmise that Macs are really not meant for gaming.
The good thing is, there is now a way to play more games on Mac. Thanks to GeForce Now, cloud gaming is possible on Mac.
With the PowerMyMac software, any Mac machine can be optimized for the better cloud gaming experience.
So, what are your thoughts on this? Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
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Free DownloadIs your system not supporting your gaming treasure properly? Well, get to know about best OS for gaming in this section here. Sometimes, operating systems might respond to all your games but eventually get slowed or do not assist you in the longer run.
To sort this issue out, you must know that whether your current OS is adequate enough to be involved with heavy gaming periods or not? To support you in the same issue, I have listed down the best gaming OS here in this section.
10 Best OS for Gaming
Being a hardcore gamer, this is something which you should be completely known to.
1). Windows 10
Website:https://www.microsoft.com/
The first one is the newly released Windows 10 in the list of best OS for gaming. In fact, many experienced gamers are urging people to upgrade to Windows 10 because of the amazing compatibility it has for heavy games. Windows 10 is the latest product of Microsoft and already installed by more than 15 million people around the world.
When you will start playing the games like Arkham City on Windows 10, you will experience a better presentation and more frames being covered per second.
Windows 10 basically focuses on Xbox Games app and games bar. It allows you to stream your games from Xbox to PC easily. Microsoft has used DirectX12 in it which is especially put there to empower the gaming concepts more. Hence making Windows 10 the best OS for gaming.
You can expect more updates to come soon in Windows 10 which can further improve the gaming experience of users on this operating system.
2). Windows 7
Website:https://www.microsoft.com/windows7
Despite being Windows 10 as the reigning king of the Microsoft Empire right now, Windows 7 is still the favorite of many gamers. The most probable reason of this likeness is the simplicity of this operating system that has given a smooth platform for even the most complex games.
It would not be wrong to say that for many users, Windows 7 is still the best OS for gaming. All that gamers want is a platform that does not slow down while high gaming hours.
And Windows 7 does the same. It keeps the fast response rate so that you can play your games peacefully on it. This gaming operating system also utilizes the latest DirectX system and hence strengthens itself as a gaming platform.
What gamers like the most about this Windows is it’s easy to customize settings which in return makes the process of gaming even easier. Microsoft will withdraw support from Windows 7 in 2020 till then you can enjoy your gaming sessions on it.
3). Linux Ubuntu
Website:https://www.ubuntu.com/
Linux has come a long way since its launch, and Linux Ubuntu is the perfect example of it. Of course, people’s first choices always remain Windows and Macs, but Ubuntu is something which really deserves a try too. In fact, it is the most popular distribution of Linux till now.
If you think Linux OS comes with some complexities then you are completely wrong. Ubuntu is quite simple to use and hence listed here in the category of best OS for gaming.
Of course, you can run Linux on Windows console too but for that you need an additional emulator to support it on Windows. You are going to find it even easier to operate than Linux SuperGamer. However, I would not consider it to be a great option as compared to Windows and Macs for gaming.
What you may lack there is the information that there are very less games which are made by considering Linux to be an operating system for them.
4). Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
Website:https://www.apple.com/
There is no doubt in the fact that Apple is Microsoft’s biggest competitor right now. And of course, when it is about the technology used in putting its software and console forward, Macs can give a huge competition to any of Microsoft’s creation for sure.
One such operating system by Apple is Mac OS X 10.8 which is popularly known as Mountain Lion and amongst the best OS for gaming. The platform of OS X was launched in 1999 and had 6 iterations of the same.
All of these iterations are based on the name of big cats and Mountain lion is the last one in it. You would love this version because of basically two reasons. First one is the stability despite being flooded with multiple programs at the same time and second is its virus free system.
All of the Mac OS X are UNIX based systems which differs it from the conventional Windows based systems.
5). Steam OS
Website:http://store.steampowered.com/steamos/
Every gamer knows it very well that how popular is Steam for the gaming freaks. This is like a whole new world for them giving endless opportunities to play millions of games on it. In fact, when you will enter this OS, it will give you a feel of a battle ground that you need to conquer with endless gaming hours.
This platform can surely called as the best OS for gaming. But like the rest of the options mentioned here, it has also got some loopholes too.
When we are comparing Steam with Windows then for sure the later one would emerge out as the hero of the story. You cannot play as many games on Steam as you can on Windows for sure. But still, if you are done with trying the rest of the OS then for a change trying out Steam would not be a bad idea at all.
Despite having some issues, Steam is still worthy enough to be included in the list of best OS for gaming.
6). Windows 8.1
Website:https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows8
If you will compare the platforms of Windows 10 and Window 8 then you will find endless similarities between the two. They might differ in the interface but the basics remains the same with a bit of upgrading included.
As I have already discussed that how Windows 10 is the best OS for gaming, the same applies to Windows 8.1 too.
However, many people have reported that Windows 8 lacks the features which make it slight inappropriate for gaming as compared to Windows 7 and Windows 10. The main thing here is the time for loading of the game which is higher as compared to the rest of the systems.
Still, when it comes to the OS by Microsoft, then best windows for gaming might include the name of Windows 8.1 in it. The only thing that lacks it behind than other versions of Windows is the interface it uses. It proves to be a bit complex when it comes to gaming. Still, if you are using it then it won’t be that bad to use it for mass gaming.
7). Linux SuperGamer
Website:http://www.supergamer.org/
This is another one from Linux and this version of OS is called Linux SuperGamer. As it is cleared by the name only, the version is entirely dedicated to gaming only. This is a type of open source operating system which is mostly used in server administration and other works.
Like the other one of Linux system Ubuntu, SuperGamer also utilizes the concept of UNIX and its architecture is basically comprised of this only.
Now, the big question arises that why it should be called the best OS for gaming? It has high graphical interpretation which makes the gaming experience way better than other types of operating systems. However, there are less games which can be played on this OS.
But, there is a twist too. You can modify the games according to the SuperGamer platform to make them compatible to it. This makes it super perfect for being the best OS for gaming. Make sure that you already know the tactics about Linux SuperGamer otherwise it might be a bit difficult for you.
8). iOS 8
Website:https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-11/
The apple phones after iPhone 6S are based on upgraded iOS systems. So, I am talking about an OS of Apple here which is a bit backward than the latest one of iOS11 which is yet to be released in some time. To be true it was this version of the apple OS which was like the revolution in gaming world.
New Imac For Gaming
What gives Brownie points to iOS 8 for being the best OS for gaming is the fact that it is just the perfect operating system for multitasking.
This means play your games, and do something else in continuity and your system won’t be exhausted at all. I think that is the thing which counts the most for hour long gaming sessions. iOS 8 remained the reigning king of Apple dynasty for a really long time. This really proves the fact that iOS 8 has been a great support to the gamers.
9). Android Lollipop
Website:https://www.android.com/versions/lollipop-5-0/
You must have been wondering that even after the launch of better versions like Android Marshmallow and Android Nugget, why am I mentioning Android Lollipop here. Well, like the other options of this list Best OS for gaming, this version of Android has its own pros and cons.
Keeping every aspect in mind, this version was worthy enough to be included in this list. Especially, the fact that is less complex than the other ones.
What I liked the most in this OS is that you do not have to keep irritating yourself with the annoying game notifications as you can turn them off. And you can also connect it to the TV Set Top Boxes for a better gaming experience.
However, like the other best OS for gaming, there is also issue here. This one here is the compatibility issue which might be perfect for low quality games but not for other HQ ones. You can still consider it for the hassle free gaming experience.
10). Mac OS X Yosemite
Website:https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/48498/os-x-yosemite
The last mention in this list of Best OS for gaming is Mac OS X Yosemite. This belongs to the same trail as of the Mountain Lion but a bit backward than that. The most important thing that every Mac user should know is the fact that upgrading to Mac OS X Yosemite is absolutely free.
This gives a better promise than the paid versions of Windows 7 and 8. Yosemite easily allows phone linking which means controlling your phone from your Mac.
This is a big breakthrough for all the game lovers out there. You might still feel a little disappointed here because of course this is not as upgraded as the latest versions of Mac. There are as such not that much of issues but still the process is not that smooth as compared to the other OS listed here. Giving it a try won’t be that bad as it is free to use.
Special Mention: Windows XP
Website:https://windows-xp-service-pack-3.en.softonic.com/
There is no doubt in the fact that Microsoft has withdrawn Windows XP long ago and there are various better versions of Windows that I have mentioned above which are very compatible to all types of latest games right now. But you cannot forget the development or rather revolution that Windows XP brought to the gaming world.
Of course, most of the games are not even compatible to this platform right now. But still, there was a time when it was the best windows OS for gaming for sure. Hence, it is a special mention for this Windows OS.
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Conclusion
There are various other Operating systems which may also prove to be advantageous for you considering the console you are using. In fact, some of the oldest OS are quite good as compared to the current ones like Windows XP.
But, you want such best OS for gaming which not only supports each and every game but also do not end up being exhausted. Keeping every aspect in mind, I have come up with the options I mentioned above. So, by now you must have understood about the best of the OS right now.