Summary
- Choose the best M-series chip and configuration for the type of gaming you plan to do on your Mac and adjust settings for optimal performance based on the game’s intensity.
- Download games from either the Mac App Store or third-party gaming vendors like Steam or the Epic Games Store.
- Add accessories such as a game controller, headset, and cooling pad to enhance your gaming experience.
Believe it or not, some gamers prefer Macs to PCs for gaming. Thanks to Apple’s M-series chips and various software enhancements, macOS has significantly improved its gaming capabilities, making it an increasingly viable option.
While PCs generally offer superior gaming performance due to hardware flexibility and optimization, Macs can still handle moderate titles for casual gaming. Additionally, they support wireless controllers, making them suitable for low-intensity gaming sessions.
If you’re interested in setting up a Mac for gaming, here are some ways to optimize your experience.
Choose the Best Mac for Your Gaming Preference
If you’re just starting and wondering which Mac to get—especially since each model offers a variety of configurations—your first step should be determining your gaming intensity level.
For the ultimate gaming experience with the most demanding titles, the Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra chip has the most performance you can find in an Apple computer. This powerhouse can easily handle AAA games at 4K Ultra settings and excels at emulation. With its high-performance GPU, exceptional cooling system, massive memory bandwidth, and support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing, it stands as the best Mac for high-intensity gaming. That said, the most powerful Mac isn’t necessarily the most suitable Mac, particularly given the price tag and the form factor.
If you’re looking for a powerful gaming Mac that isn’t as power-hungry as the Mac Studio, consider a Mac with an M4 Max chip. It features a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU, delivering impressive gaming performance. Additionally, it supports high refresh rates, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and mesh shading. This system can effortlessly handle AAA games at 1440p Ultra settings and some at 4K Medium-High settings. You’ll find the M4 Max in MacBook Pro and Mac Studio models.
However, if you’re looking for something a little cheaper that provides “good enough” performance particularly in lower-powered games from online platforms or Apple Arcade, pretty much any recent M-series chip—with the latest M4 being the most powerful—can meet your needs. These are found in Apple’s latest base model machines including the MacBook Air, the Mac mini, and even the MacBook Pro. You’ll find GPU variants with 8 cores or 10 cores, with more cores offering better performance.
On top of this, you might want to consider the M4 Pro, an improved version of the M4 that costs less than the M4 Max but provides a good performance uplift for MacBook Pro and Mac mini users. The MacBook Pro with M4 hit a real sweet spot in terms of price-to-performance, but even an M3 tier chip can still hold its own.
Regardless of your chosen chip, you can customize it beyond its original specifications. If you plan to game, it’s best to pick more GPU cores, increase unified memory (also known as RAM), and add more storage, as more demanding games typically require additional local storage.
Your decision should begin with understanding the games you intend to play on your Mac. If you plan to play high-intensity games, opt for a higher-end chip with advanced configurations. On the other hand, if you prefer casual gaming, a lower-end chip with basic configurations should be sufficient.
Optimize macOS for Better Gaming Performance
Once you’ve chosen and configured your Mac for gaming, it’s essential to understand which settings to adjust to optimize performance. These adjustments are straightforward but can significantly enhance your gaming experience.
The most crucial factor to maintain is keeping macOS updated to the latest version your system supports. If you’re using a new Mac, you can expect to receive updates for years to come.
Apple regularly updates macOS with performance improvements, bug fixes, and security patches, which can enhance game compatibility and efficiency.
Furthermore, if your system is up-to-date, closing all background apps before playing a high-intensity game is a good idea. Running multiple apps can consume CPU, RAM, and GPU resources, reducing the power available for your game.
Before you start playing, enable Game Mode, available on macOS Sonoma and later. This setting automatically prioritizes gaming processes and reduces background CPU and GPU load. It also minimizes latency for controllers and AirPods if you’re using them while playing.
You experience your game through a monitor or your Mac’s display, so adjusting its settings for optimal performance and visual quality is important. Lowering the resolution improves performance by reducing GPU demand, while higher resolutions enhance visuals at the cost of performance. For a balanced experience, Full HD (typically 1920×1080) offers a good trade-off between graphics and performance (particularly on base M-series chips).
Some Macs (like 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models) support higher refresh rates, so you might want to adjust a game’s performance to take advantage of these higher refresh rates. If you’re using an external display, you can even enable “Variable” under System Settings > Display > Refresh Rate to enable support for AdaptiveSync variable refresh rate.
If you’re gaming on a MacBook, go into the system settings and disable Low Power Mode. MacBooks use aggressive power-saving techniques that can throttle performance during gaming. To avoid this, keep your MacBook plugged in while playing intensive games.
Every game and system is different, so it’s essential to configure the settings specifically for the game you’re playing and the Mac you’re using. Finding the optimal settings may require some experimentation, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few adjustments to achieve the best balance.
Installing and Running Games on macOS
Now that everything is set up, you can start playing the eagerly anticipated game. If you don’t have a specific game in mind, don’t worry—plenty of options are available to help you find the perfect match for your preferences.
The Mac App Store is the easiest way to install games on your Mac. Although the selection is limited, the games available on the store are already optimized for macOS and will work well with Apple’s hardware. Games like Death Standing: Director’s Cut and Assassin’s Creed Shadows are in the store.
If the game you’re looking for isn’t available on the Mac App Store, consider using other gaming platforms. One of the most popular options is Steam, which natively supports macOS.
Steam offers games that run on both Mac and Windows. Look for the Apple icon next to a game’s title to check compatibility.
Several other options, such as the EA App and Epic Game Store, are also available. However, it’s important to note that not all games are compatible with macOS, so checking compatibility before making a purchase is crucial
If a game isn’t compatible with macOS, don’t despair—there are still ways to play it. Windows compatibility layers like Wine, Whisky, or CrossOver can translate Windows system calls into macOS-friendly commands, allowing some Windows-only games to run on your Mac.
However, these methods don’t guarantee the same performance as native macOS support. Wine and Whisky are excellent free alternatives, with Whisky offering a more user-friendly experience and Apple Silicon support. Performance may vary, however. If you opt for CrossOver—a paid option—you’ll get a more refined version of Wine that improves game compatibility.
The gaming route you choose will depend on the games you play, but it’s reassuring to know that even if a game isn’t available on the Mac App Store, other platforms and tools can still allow you to play it on your Mac.
Accessories to Take Your Setup to the Next Level
After selecting the games you want to play, consider the accessories that can enhance your experience. Some games may require more than just a mouse and keyboard.
A game controller is a standard and functional accessory with Macs supporting various controllers, making them an excellent addition to compatible games.
While some controllers, like those for Xbox or PS5, can be more expensive, affordable alternatives are available. Standard controllers found on Amazon can also be connected to your Mac for gaming, so don’t think you have to pay an arm and a leg for one.
Even though Mac displays are high quality, the best displays have refresh rates that max out at 120Hz. For an even smoother gameplay experience, consider using an external display with a higher refresh rate and connecting it to your Mac while gaming.
Audio is another key aspect of gaming. Game developers carefully design sound effects and music to enhance immersion. To experience them at their best, consider investing in gaming headphones or high-quality speakers for a more immersive feel while playing.
If you’re playing high-intensity games, consider using a laptop cooling pad. While M-series chips are highly efficient, they can still generate heat under heavy loads. Placing your Mac on a cooling pad can help regulate its temperature and maintain performance during gameplay.
Though a controller may be necessary for games that don’t support mouse and keyboard controls, these accessories aren’t mandatory. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which ones to include. While most are luxury additions, they can significantly enhance your gaming setup and overall experience.
Macs may not be the top choice for dedicated gamers, but they’re far from a bad option. Although they weren’t ideal for gaming in the past, the introduction of M-series chips has significantly improved their performance.
If you’re a Mac user interested in gaming, now is a great time to try it. With the right Mac and an appropriate selection, you can enjoy a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience on a Mac.
