With that hotly-anticipated
May 12th release date just around the corner, you might be wondering how
Steam on Mac will perform. You're in luck, because some of our favorite Mac news sites have just finished testing the software's closed beta. The verdict? It's practically the exact same as the Windows version, except there's almost nothing to buy. Save for the Growl-like notifications at the top of the screen, the UI is all but indistinguishable, and as promised,data and purchases (if playable) automatically carry over in their entirety from your Windows Steam account.
Team Fortress 2 even has cross-platform capability, allowing Mac users to play online with their Windows counterparts, though several journalists noted you might want to invest in a two-button wheel mouse if you don't want to be
found out. Source Engine performance on Mac wasn't quite as good as on Windows in tests using the exact same hardware (thanks, Boot Camp), but admirably comes close nonetheless;
Electronista was able to maintain a similar framerate in
Portal just by disabling two levels of anti-aliasing. Not all Mac users will be able to partake in these games, however; though a MacBook Pro with a discrete 512MB
GeForce 8600M card could run them well and a
GeForce 9400M laptop managed on low settings, those with only integrated Intel graphics chips might find themselves in for a painful surprise.
Read - Electronista
Read - MacRumors
Read - MacWorld
Read - AppleInsider
posted May 10th 2010 6:59PM
Couldn't I just boot into Windows 7 or whatever Windows OS I have installed on my intel Mac and run it that way? Oh yes children, the Macs all run Windows now. Boot Camp just allows us to easily boot between the two OS's. The only limitation is the video card.
@Mr Plow sure, but it's a pain, and it requires a copy of windows, which if you are buying it legally, is pretty expensive. I guess it's worth it if you are a dedicated gamer. I have a legal copy of XP, but I'm using it with VMWare Fusion (not in Boot Camp), as I prefer the convenience of that. Alas, it won't run processor intensive games well. I've thought about installing XP to Boot Camp and getting rid of the VMWare Fusion only version, but then I have to deal with their authentication crap, I think (not sure if that will trigger it), and running Boot Camp Windows via Fusion is a bit less convenient then a Fusion-only Windows. So... I'm looking forward to the Mac version of Steam!
I was hoping it would run even better, since Mac OS X runs better than Win 7. It sure crashes a lot less.
@Timerider
Which part of Windows 7 crashes? When you run the Steam part? I've found it quite nice and stable but I haven't pushed it.
@Timerider - oh troll moar, will ya?
My new MacBook Pro runs Left 4 Dead 2 at 1680x1050, everything maxed, and it is smooth under Vista. I can't wait to play it on Mac OS X instead. I can has no rebooting?
Come on Audiosurf...
same as it ever was
Mac gaming is so nostalgic.
I don't know, last time I logged into my steam account there seemed to be a quite few people still playing CS:S among other games I can download for free as I already owned them when I used a PC.
I wonder how my Razer Lachesis mouse will work on my MacBook, I won it, a Lycosa keyboard and Carcharias headphones at the World Gaming Tournament a few years ago.
I'll be a bit rusty but it won't be long before I get in there knifing n00bs.
I think using GayMacboy as a user name should draw them out.
The gameplay was fine on my 2004 Rig i can't wait to see how it runs on more modern hardware.
People who say you need the latest high end graphics etc to play are just rich boy tossers with money to burn, any developer knows that the bulk of the money lies with older hardware a few generations old.
@hill60 "People who say you need the latest high end graphics etc to play are just rich boy tossers with money to burn"
Or successful geeks with their priorities straight. :D
@Ducman69
Well said.
I'm looking forward to this, but Portal on Steam is $20, and Orange Box on the 360 is no more then $20, often cheaper, so I'm wondering if I should get the Mac version on Steam, which I'd prefer due to mouse control, but at what seems an unreasonable price given that. Hmm.
@crunc I really won't be surprised if they offer up their titles individually, as well as collections like Orange Box, for reduced prices when this launches tomorrow or this weekend.
Would make sense, after all: hey Mac owners, snag all the games you've been missing out on at reduced prices.
They've already made tons of money on the PC market, selling them at reduced prices now so Mac owners can get them will only help bolster their newly supported platform, and let PC owners round out their collections if they need to.
Definitely has to be something with the Mac OS if they have to lower settings to play games like TF2.
I loaded the game under Windows 7 on my 2008 15" MBP with a 512MB 8600M GT, and could play with all specs maxed at native resolution (1440x900).
I'm just hoping for some good deals on Valve's titles for their usual midweek madness or weekend sales. I'd love to get Orange Box for a good price, even though I already own it for 360.
@ModernTenshi04 I often wonder if Mac OS is still rendering the desktop even though a game is full screen. That may be why it doesn't perform as well.
Greeeeaaaat now I am going to be distracted at work with DoD:S at my fingertips.
WHERE IS IT?!?!?!? Still not seeing the download for mac button :(