Is Macbook Air Good for Gaming?
Using an Apple gaming laptop might make you laugh and think it’s ridiculous to begin with. Are Macs suitable for gaming?
Earlier, when it came to gaming performance, Macs lagged behind PCs for quite some time. Their sacrifices included style and ease of use as well as massive gaming potential.
Is Apple’s computer line, on the other hand, reaching a tipping point in terms of hardcore gaming? Then we’ll have to wait and see.
Is Macbook Air Good for Gaming?
Playing a game on a laptop can be an enjoyable experience, depending on the games you have installed. Although some games require high-performance gaming PCs, your MacBook Air will overheat if you play them.
Many people around the world use the MacBook Air as their primary computer because it is such a great laptop. Think about a MacBook Air as your gaming laptop if you enjoy playing PC games.
If you own a MacBook Air, you probably want it to last as long as possible and continue to perform well. Playing video games on a PC is a great way to enjoy them, but you may be concerned about damaging your MacBook Air by doing so.
When it comes to gaming, it’s well known that graphics are the most important aspect. As a result, the revolutionary M1 chip-equipped Mac Air 2021 has an 8-core GPU and up to five times faster and improved graphics performance than previous models. This is more of a boast, however.
So, is Macbook Air good for gaming? Not exactly. However, this does not imply that they are completely useless for gaming.
Software optimization and other features are the foundation of Macs’ design. They haven’t left much room for hardcore gaming because of their strict focus on functionality. It’s just not in their nature to do that.
Reasons Why Macbook Air Is Not For Gaming
For the record, we all know that Macs are not known for their gaming capabilities. When it comes to computers, Apple is known as a brand that caters to professionals, and Macs are known for being used by professionals.
Because of this, we should not refer to them as “the cons” or “the reasons for Macs’ gaming incompetence.” Why MacBook Airs are not a good choice for true gamers is as follows:
No Discrete Graphics Card
By Make Tech Quick experts having a dedicated GPU for AAA-level gaming is, in some ways, a necessity. As a result, a MacBook Air lacks a serious (discrete) graphics setup.
With an 8-core GPU and a nearly 80% increase in graphics performance, the M1 Air 2021 stands out from the competition. It’s also impossible to keep your eyes off of the flawless retina display.
As a result, the visuals on the screen will be stunningly beautiful thanks to this graphics setup. There is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of performance for gaming, but it’s good enough for other tasks although not for gaming.
Games are Made for x64 or x86 Platforms
Another important factor contributing to the Apple Macbook Air’s poor gaming performance is the scarcity of games that have been perfectly silicon-optimized.
The vast majority of games are designed to run on either the x86 (32-bit setup) or x64 (64-bit setup) architectures. A large number are currently running on Apple silicon, but they’re not yet optimized for the system.
Although most games aren’t even geared toward this new configuration. That’s why a Macbook Air won’t be able to handle every game.
Chiclet Keyboards
Despite its apparent insignificance, it is of paramount importance. Because the Mac keyboards are smaller and lighter, they aren’t ideal for intense gaming, unlike gaming-adjusted/full-sized, and mechanical-type keyboards, which are ideal for gaming.
The key travel is significantly reduced, and the keys appear to be more chiclet-style. However, the scissor mechanism keyboards on the newest Macs replace the dreary butterfly mechanism. Despite this, they aren’t really the stuff of gamers at all.
No Cooling Solutions
Fanless interiors are now found in a large number of the latest MacBooks, particularly the M1 models. There is no doubt this innovation has redefined the serenity and noiselessness of use, but it is also mean.
The Silicon setup, despite Apple’s claims to the contrary, is extremely powerful and can maintain an ideal operating temperature even when subjected to extreme loads. There is no doubt that you can start a game and enjoy it to the fullest. There is a point, however, when you start to feel the burn.
Because of this, you’d have to play the game on the lowest possible settings or take a break from it right away.
Does Playing Game on Macbook Air Cause Damage?
It is safe to play games on your MacBook Air because of its powerful features. However, if you overdo it, it could get dangerously hot. It doesn’t matter if the MacBook Air is fitted with sensors to guard against overheating, because those machines aren’t made to handle a lot of heavy gaming on them.
Using a laptop stand, placing the laptop on a hard, flat surface, or lowering the graphics settings are all ways to keep your MacBook Air from overheating. The type of games you install on your MacBook Air should also be taken into account because they can harm the software.
Conclusion
Because of its strength, the MacBook Air is capable of running a wide range of games without sustaining any damage to its hardware or operating system. To avoid overusing it, it should only be used for recreational purposes.
Use a MacBook Pro instead if you plan to play video games all day. A Macbook Pro also has a powerful battery enough to stand long gaming sessions. A video game console or a gaming PC can be purchased, depending on your preference for playing games on a computer.