While Apple computers are often lauded for their user-friendliness and charming aesthetic design, their hardware and software limitations make playing many modern video games on them challenging.
Investing the money necessary to buy a serviceable gaming PC isn’t in the cards for everyone financially, especially if you’ve already spent the money on an Apple computer. Plus, some users simply prefer Apple computers.
That said, gaming on Apple computers isn’t impossible, but choosing the right one is important. Here’s what you need to know.
Hardware essentials
Some Apple computers are notoriously difficult to upgrade and lack the processing power to run many modern games. When it comes to PC gaming, it’s important to make sure your computer has a powerful graphics card (GPU) and core processor (CPU). If a computer’s CPU or GPU aren’t up to task, playing a video game on it won’t be satisfying. Another thing to consider is memory - video games require a lot of RAM (random-access memory) in order to function.
A good rule of thumb for most modern video games is to aim for a machine that has a bare minimum of 8 GB (gigabytes) of RAM; if you try to play on a computer that has any less than this, a lot of games will have performance issues that make it difficult or even impossible to play.
Apple’s peripheral hardware - keyboard, mouse, etc. - are designed to be easy to use, but often lack features that video game developers develop their games around, like a scroll wheel, which some Apple mouses don’t have. The Razer Naga X is a solid, if slightly pricey option for a gaming mouse, and the SteelSeries Apex 3 is a great option for a game-worthy keyboard. Both are compatible with Mac computers.
Which games are compatible on Mac?
A lot of games simply aren’t built to run on Macs. Macs use MacOS, while PCs typically use Windows or Linux. In order for a game to function, it has to be designed with the capability to run on a specific OS, and many games are not designed to run on MacOS - even some that are might not be compatible with every version of MacOS.
Fortunately, the popularity of Apple computers has compelled many game developers to begin developing MacOS versions of their games to reach a wider audience. Popular games like Minecraft, World of Warcraft, Civilization VI, Starcraft II, The Sims, and Diablo III have Mac-compatible versions available.
Besides the more graphically-impressive popular games out today, there are plenty of phenomenal games made by independent developers that run on Mac as well, like Braid. Another great option for Mac users is to check out classic, older MacOS-compatible games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, which are less graphics-intensive than modern games but no less fantastic.
Best Apple computers for PC gaming
Best overall Apple Computer for PC gaming
MacBook Pro 16”: available at Amazon and Best Buy
Our take: The MacBook Pro with 16-inch screen boasts the best combination of screen resolution and size, performance, memory, and accessibility to peripherals necessary for gaming.
What we like: 8-core Intel Core i9 Processor and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics card provide excellent gaming performance that Macs typically lack; its 16-inch screen is bigger and better for gaming than many Mac laptops; includes 16 GB of memory, which is ideal for gaming.
What we dislike: The MacBook Pro 16” costs more than some specialized gaming PCs and laptops that can run modern games better.
Best bang for your buck Apple Computer for PC gaming
MacBook Air with Apple M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage): available at Amazon and Best Buy
Our take: Armed with Apple’s powerful M-1 CPU chip, this laptop has the processing power to run most modern games with ease, and at a fraction of the cost of the MacBook Pro 16”.
What we like: Small, sleek, and surprisingly powerful for the price. It also features 8 GB of RAM as a standard feature, and its 8-core GPU was built with gaming in mind. It also has twice as much memory on its hard drive as the MacBook Pro 13”, making it potentially more powerful than the MacBook Pro.
What we dislike: The small screen can make it hard to appreciate games with pretty graphics. Its battery is slightly less efficient than the MacBook Pro with M1 Chip 13”. It also doesn’t have that many USB ports, so it is limited in terms of how many accessories, like gaming mice, it supports.
Honorable Mentions
MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip 13”: available at Amazon and Best Buy
Our take: For about the same price as the MacBook Air with M1 Chip, this laptop can run just about any modern game with ease.
What we like: It’s comparable in almost every way to the 13” MacBook Air with M1 Chip. What we dislike: The MacBook Pro has most of the shortcomings of the MacBook Air, and can sometimes be more expensive.
Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display (27-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage): Available at Amazon and Best Buy
Our take: A powerhouse of a computer designed for video and photo editing, this Mac has the processing power and display capabilities to play modern games with ease.
What we like: You’ll have no problem getting its 5120x2880 Retina 5K display to beautifully showcase graphics on modern games, and it’s half as expensive as the Pro 16”.
What we dislike: The iMac is notoriously hard to upgrade, so you’re stuck with the components it comes with.
Apple iMac with 21.5" Retina 4K display - Intel Core i3 (3.6GHz) - 8GB Memory - 256GB SSD: Available at Amazon and Best Buy
Our take: A classic Mac with a solid balance of display capabilities, processing power, and price.
What we like: Besides coming with a standard 8 GB of memory, its Radeon Pro 555x Graphics processor and 21.5” 4096x2304 Retina 4K display, it comes with either a 3.6 GHz Intel Core i3 Quad-Core processor and 1 terabyte (TB) of memory - all things that will come in handy while getting modern games to run on your Mac! Plus, it’s far cheaper than the other items on this list.
What we dislike: Not as powerful as its cousins, equally hard to upgrade as other iMacs.