macbookpro.....so, using bootcamp, what type of gaming is possible?

[Goosemaster]

I remember reading that drivers for the radeon were out so I was curious.

 

[AmigaMan]

I'm playing Oblivion decently on it. I have it set to 1024x768 with 2xAA and grass turned off. Unless there are several NPC's I'm interacting with, it's pretty smooth indoors and outdoors. I need more HD space though, 100GB is definitely not enough for two OS's. I have a spare 80GB drive in an external USB enclosure and also an 80GB in a firewire enclosure. I'm going to see if I can install my games on those and play from there. I think I'll have to leave the Windows partition on my main drive though.
Once I get my external drives working, I'll install some other games. I want to try F.E.A.R. and Call of Duty 2 and see how the x1600 will handle those.

 

[Kadarin]

I'm wondering this as well, as I'm considering getting a 17" MBP. Also, given that the graphics is underclocked, I wonder if reclocking it will help w/o overheating the machine. Lastly, I'm wondering whether a glossy or matte screen is preferred.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[AmigaMan]

I use the ATItool in Windows to do a slight overclock. I think I set it to 400/400 which is not as high as it can go. I don't want to go any higher since I don't want to fry my $2700 investment. When I do overclock, I can usually turn off AA and turn on HDR.

 

[Goosemaster]

wow...wasn't expecting that much

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
macbookpro.....so, using bootcamp, what type of gaming is possible?

All the regular gaming you could do on a standard notebook that costs $500 or so less.

- M4H

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
macbookpro.....so, using bootcamp, what type of gaming is possible?

All the regular gaming you could do on a standard notebook that costs $500 or so less.

- M4H

LOL. that's funny but not exactly true. However, if you're planning on going out and buying a MacBook to run windows and play games, then you'd be better off getting a T60p (which is still the same price as an MBP). Alternatively you could go bargain basement and get a Dell, but they don't have a laptop that has the x1600. So you'd be saving $500-$1000 but look at what you're getting...

 

[Ranulf]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
macbookpro.....so, using bootcamp, what type of gaming is possible?

All the regular gaming you could do on a standard notebook that costs $500 or so less.

- M4H

LOL. that's funny but not exactly true. However, if you're planning on going out and buying a MacBook to run windows and play games, then you'd be better off getting a T60p (which is still the same price as an MBP). Alternatively you could go bargain basement and get a Dell, but they don't have a laptop that has the x1600. So you'd be saving $500-$1000 but look at what you're getting...

A laptop with a 7800 or 7900 class video card?

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: Ranulf

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
macbookpro.....so, using bootcamp, what type of gaming is possible?

All the regular gaming you could do on a standard notebook that costs $500 or so less.

- M4H

LOL. that's funny but not exactly true. However, if you're planning on going out and buying a MacBook to run windows and play games, then you'd be better off getting a T60p (which is still the same price as an MBP). Alternatively you could go bargain basement and get a Dell, but they don't have a laptop that has the x1600. So you'd be saving $500-$1000 but look at what you're getting...

A laptop with a 7800 or 7900 class video card?

ORLY? Show me the Dell that has that for even $500 less than an equivalently equipped MacBookPro. Yeah didn't think so... You trolls love to complain about how much the Apple costs and how you can get stuff for cheaper, but in the end you just configure an inferior laptop that doesn't even come close to the performance of the MBP. Either that or you configure a machine that's several hundred more expensive.

 

[codeyf]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: Ranulf

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
macbookpro.....so, using bootcamp, what type of gaming is possible?

All the regular gaming you could do on a standard notebook that costs $500 or so less.

- M4H

LOL. that's funny but not exactly true. However, if you're planning on going out and buying a MacBook to run windows and play games, then you'd be better off getting a T60p (which is still the same price as an MBP). Alternatively you could go bargain basement and get a Dell, but they don't have a laptop that has the x1600. So you'd be saving $500-$1000 but look at what you're getting...

A laptop with a 7800 or 7900 class video card?

ORLY? Show me the Dell that has that for even $500 less than an equivalently equipped MacBookPro. Yeah didn't think so... You trolls love to complain about how much the Apple costs and how you can get stuff for cheaper, but in the end you just configure an inferior laptop that doesn't even come close to the performance of the MBP. Either that or you configure a machine that's several hundred more expensive.

I'm not a anti-mac person...BUT:

(Technically, it's a Dell)

Alienware Aurora m9700
Price as configured - $2609
AMD Turion 64 Mobile ML40 2.2ghz 800mhz FSB 1mb L2 Cache
Windows XP MCE
17" WideUXGA 1920x1200 with Clearview
1gb Dual Channel DDR
120gb 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
256mb nVidia GeForce go 7900GS (go SLI for $400 more)

vs.

Mac Book Pro
Price as configured - $2799
2.16ghz Intel Core Duo
Mac OSX
17" Widescreen LCD 1680x1050
1gb DDR2
120gb 5400rpm SATA
8x Super Drive
256mb Mobility Radeon X1600

Now, it's not $500, no. But, to address the question of "how is windows gaming on Mac hardware?", I'd be willing to bet my money that the Windows based machine will perform better than the Mac.

And again, i'm non-biased. I'd be happy with either machine. Afterall, WoW is playable natively on OSX

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: Ranulf

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
macbookpro.....so, using bootcamp, what type of gaming is possible?

All the regular gaming you could do on a standard notebook that costs $500 or so less.

- M4H

LOL. that's funny but not exactly true. However, if you're planning on going out and buying a MacBook to run windows and play games, then you'd be better off getting a T60p (which is still the same price as an MBP). Alternatively you could go bargain basement and get a Dell, but they don't have a laptop that has the x1600. So you'd be saving $500-$1000 but look at what you're getting...

A laptop with a 7800 or 7900 class video card?

ORLY? Show me the Dell that has that for even $500 less than an equivalently equipped MacBookPro. Yeah didn't think so... You trolls love to complain about how much the Apple costs and how you can get stuff for cheaper, but in the end you just configure an inferior laptop that doesn't even come close to the performance of the MBP. Either that or you configure a machine that's several hundred more expensive.

I'm not a anti-mac person...BUT:

(Technically, it's a Dell)

Alienware Aurora m9700
Price as configured - $2609
AMD Turion 64 Mobile ML40 2.2ghz 800mhz FSB 1mb L2 Cache
Windows XP MCE
17" WideUXGA 1920x1200 with Clearview
1gb Dual Channel DDR
120gb 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
256mb nVidia GeForce go 7900GS (go SLI for $400 more)

vs.

Mac Book Pro
Price as configured - $2799
2.16ghz Intel Core Duo
Mac OSX
17" Widescreen LCD 1680x1050
1gb DDR2
120gb 5400rpm SATA
8x Super Drive
256mb Mobility Radeon X1600

Now, it's not $500, no. But, to address the question of "how is windows gaming on Mac hardware?", I'd be willing to bet my money that the Windows based machine will perform better than the Mac.

And again, i'm non-biased. I'd be happy with either machine. Afterall, WoW is playable natively on OSX

Translation of the above post - YA RLY

- M4H

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: Ranulf

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
macbookpro.....so, using bootcamp, what type of gaming is possible?

All the regular gaming you could do on a standard notebook that costs $500 or so less.

- M4H

LOL. that's funny but not exactly true. However, if you're planning on going out and buying a MacBook to run windows and play games, then you'd be better off getting a T60p (which is still the same price as an MBP). Alternatively you could go bargain basement and get a Dell, but they don't have a laptop that has the x1600. So you'd be saving $500-$1000 but look at what you're getting...

A laptop with a 7800 or 7900 class video card?

ORLY? Show me the Dell that has that for even $500 less than an equivalently equipped MacBookPro. Yeah didn't think so... You trolls love to complain about how much the Apple costs and how you can get stuff for cheaper, but in the end you just configure an inferior laptop that doesn't even come close to the performance of the MBP. Either that or you configure a machine that's several hundred more expensive.

I'm not a anti-mac person...BUT:

(Technically, it's a Dell)

Alienware Aurora m9700
Price as configured - $2609
AMD Turion 64 Mobile ML40 2.2ghz 800mhz FSB 1mb L2 Cache
Windows XP MCE
17" WideUXGA 1920x1200 with Clearview
1gb Dual Channel DDR
120gb 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
256mb nVidia GeForce go 7900GS (go SLI for $400 more)

vs.

Mac Book Pro
Price as configured - $2799
2.16ghz Intel Core Duo
Mac OSX
17" Widescreen LCD 1680x1050
1gb DDR2
120gb 5400rpm SATA
8x Super Drive
256mb Mobility Radeon X1600

Now, it's not $500, no. But, to address the question of "how is windows gaming on Mac hardware?", I'd be willing to bet my money that the Windows based machine will perform better than the Mac.

And again, i'm non-biased. I'd be happy with either machine. Afterall, WoW is playable natively on OSX

x1600 isn't crap though, and if you are into osx, it isn't necessarily a bad deal

 

[ZombieRitual]

Should also point out that the Alienware does not have a dual core cpu (would definitely be nice to see a Turion X2 in there) and the Macbook Pro is more compact & lighter.
Alienware:
# Height: 1.85?
# Width: 15.65?
# Depth: 11.75?
# Weight: 8.5 lbs

Macbook Pro 17"
# Height: 1.0 inch
# Width: 15.4 inches
# Depth: 10.4 inches
# Weight: 6.8 pounds

You can game better on the Alienware plus it's cheaper by 200 bucks, but it's also bulkier and almost 2 pounds heavier. You can't ignore portability with a laptop.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Ranulf
A laptop with a 7800 or 7900 class video card?

no laptops have a 7800 or 7900 class video card. only luggables. a 15" macbook pro with x1600 is about as good as it gets. the only competition it really has is the acer 8204.

 

[Walzber813]

how would the acer 8204 compare? and is acer known for having decent service?

 

[halfadder]

On my MacBookPro I use ATITool to "reclock" the X1600 to 400 MHz and the GFX RAM to 425 MHz, which is still slower than the X1600 default speeds in many of the other larger (better cooling) notebooks out there. Oblivion runs great at 1024x768 on my 2 GHz CoreDuo and 256 MB X1600.

Quake 4 at full resolution and high quality (but shadows disabled) runs fine at the stock underclocked speed.

 

[thatbox]

Is it as easy to replace the hard drive and RAM in the MBP as it is in the MacBook? I assume no, since I don't recall any fanfare, but would doing so void a warranty?

 

[halfadder]

RAM is easy to replace in every Apple aside from the Mini (and even the Mini is easy if you have a thin plastic putty knife).

There is a RAM hatch on the bottom of the MacBookPro. Pop out the battery and remove the two screws to open the RAM hatch. Uses regular PC5300 667 MHz DDR2 SO-DIMMs, but you're best off if you use Crucial brand RAM. You don't need a matched pair of ram, the performance boost from dual channel is minimal in MacBookPro.

MacBookPro Hard Drive is easier to replace than that in PowerBook G4, but it's still not considered "user servicable". Remove the eight screws that hold down the aluminum wrist wrest bezel that surround the keyboard and track pad, four screws on each side. Lift the aluminum panel up and you have access to the HD. This does not void the warranty, however the warranty will not cover any damage you might do in the process. Same goes for the Mini.

The regular, non-Pro MacBook is even easier to upgrade. Pop out the battery and remove the L-shaped RAM/HD door. This reveals two SO-DIMM slots and the HD bay. Regular MacBook uses a matched pair of PC5300 667 MHz DDR2 SO-DIMMs in a dual-channel configuration. Upgrade in pairs as the non-Pro MacBook uses shared system memory for the Intel Integrated GMA950 graphics.

 

[Hyperlite]

you seem to all be forgetting about the Travelmate 8200. i'm running oblivion at 1680x1050, high quality, full HDR, smooth as butter. and yes, its $600 cheaper than the MBP.

read my review

 

[BladeVenom]

But the Travelmate 8200 doesn't have the currently popular Apple logo on it. Ask a Sneetch how important the right logo is.

 

[gcy]

Have anybody used Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 on the Macbook Pro. I thinking of getting one and not quite sure if this is ok or just use regular XP or XP Pro.
Thanks,
:beer:

 

[Commodus]

Originally posted by: gcy
Have anybody used Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 on the Macbook Pro. I thinking of getting one and not quite sure if this is ok or just use regular XP or XP Pro.
Thanks,
:beer:

Apple explicitly says it won't work with Media Center, at least in the current version of Boot Camp, so you'll need Home or Professional; either has to be SP2.

It's just as well. Unless you explicitly need live TV tuning in an across-the-room interface, you might as well just stick with OS X and either Front Row (for content you already have) or an El Gato EyeTV.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
But the Travelmate 8200 doesn't have the currently popular Apple logo on it. Ask a Sneetch how important the right logo is.

Silly noob, looks aren't the only reason people buy laptops. While I agree that the Acer is nice machine at a nice price, what happens when it breaks? Personally I use my laptop for work, and if I had weeks of downtime, it directly affects my employment.
Now I believe this topic was about bootcamp and gaming, so you need to find another thread to troll around in...off-topic is --->

 

[gcy]

Originally posted by: Commodus

Originally posted by: gcy
Have anybody used Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 on the Macbook Pro. I thinking of getting one and not quite sure if this is ok or just use regular XP or XP Pro.
Thanks,
:beer:

Apple explicitly says it won't work with Media Center, at least in the current version of Boot Camp, so you'll need Home or Professional; either has to be SP2.

It's just as well. Unless you explicitly need live TV tuning in an across-the-room interface, you might as well just stick with OS X and either Front Row (for content you already have) or an El Gato EyeTV.

Thank, ordered one and will load it with XP pro. Now I just have to find a wireless mouse that works on windows and mac.
:beer:

 

[Commodus]

Originally posted by: gcy

Thank, ordered one and will load it with XP pro. Now I just have to find a wireless mouse that works on windows and mac.
:beer:

If you're interested in avoiding plugging in as many things as possible, go with a Bluetooth mouse. But make sure you're getting one suited to laptop use if you intend to travel - some desktop mice don't have an off switch! Kensington makes some good notebook mice, like the PilotMouse Bluetooth Mini.

However, if you intend to play action games or you need something extra-precise, you'll probably want an RF-based wireless mouse. You'll have to plug a dongle into a USB port, but it should be able to keep up with fast games. The Logitech V400 is probably a good pick given that it's a laser mouse and is obviously designed to stow away in a laptop bag if necessary.