Considering a Mac

Brym

I'm in the market for a new computer, and I'm thinking about going for an iMac. I prefer the OS in general, and I can afford the Apple tax.

My only question is this: While I do most of my gaming on consoles, I do use my desktop for Blizzard games and Valve games. Any thoughts on how the iMac will perform for these applications? I'll probably go with the 3.2 Ghz 21.5" model.

maximumzero

Brym wrote: »

I'm in the market for a new computer, and I'm thinking about going for an iMac. I prefer the OS in general, and I can afford the Apple tax.

My only question is this: While I do most of my gaming on consoles, I do use my desktop for Blizzard games and Valve games. Any thoughts on how the iMac will perform for these applications? I'll probably go with the 3.2 Ghz 21.5" model.

I've got the entry-level 27" current model and I can run TF2 with just about everything maxed (minus AA, which I leave at 2x) perfectly at the display's native resolution.

This machine was a replacement by Apple for my mid-2008 model iMac, so if I had the choice I would have gotten the better video card, but being a replacement I had no option.

MarioG

I have run both Blizzard and Valve games on relatively high settings wthout any problems on my 24" iMac.

Brym

Thanks.

I ended up picking one up today. I'm very impressed with the unboxing experience. There's something magical about a computer box with only a single cord inside. I'll post an update on how the games run too eventually.

Esh

Brym wrote: »

Thanks.

I ended up picking one up today. I'm very impressed with the unboxing experience. There's something magical about a computer box with only a single cord inside. I'll post an update on how the games run too eventually.

They're going to run fine. I can do TF2 and Half Life 2 at full settings on my MacBook Pro with integrated video.

maximumzero

Brym wrote: »

Thanks.

I ended up picking one up today. I'm very impressed with the unboxing experience. There's something magical about a computer box with only a single cord inside. I'll post an update on how the games run too eventually.

Keep in mind that if you want to use a headset with games you'll need a USB-based headset. Headsets that end with 3.5mm jacks won't work on the mac. (Or you could go Blueooth)

Also while I love the Magic Mouse it sucks for gaming, you'll need to get something nicer. Just about anything will work on the Mac so make sure you look into it.

Brym

maximumzero wrote: »

Brym wrote: »

Thanks.

I ended up picking one up today. I'm very impressed with the unboxing experience. There's something magical about a computer box with only a single cord inside. I'll post an update on how the games run too eventually.

Keep in mind that if you want to use a headset with games you'll need a USB-based headset. Headsets that end with 3.5mm jacks won't work on the mac. (Or you could go Blueooth)

Also while I love the Magic Mouse it sucks for gaming, you'll need to get something nicer. Just about anything will work on the Mac so make sure you look into it.

This version of the iMac does have 3.5mm jacks. So my headset mic works fine. I'm also keeping my old Logitech mouse and MS natural keyboard, of course. The keyboard that the iMac comes with is laptop-sized! Why you would package that with a desktop I'll never know.

Performance wise, the Valve games run great. Starcraft 2 runs a bit choppy on High settings at native resolution, but great on medium. I might try tweaking it to a mix of the two. Anyways, it does what I need it to.

Faricazy

Brym wrote: »

This version of the iMac does have 3.5mm jacks. So my headset mic works fine.

Did you test it?

Because Macs don't have amplified microphone jacks, rather a line-in. If you plugged a regular computer microphone into it, it wouldn't work (or be extremely quiet).

If you tried the headset, I wager that the microphone defaulted to the built-in one.

Big Red Tie

Brym wrote: »

maximumzero wrote: »

Brym wrote: »

Thanks.

I ended up picking one up today. I'm very impressed with the unboxing experience. There's something magical about a computer box with only a single cord inside. I'll post an update on how the games run too eventually.

Keep in mind that if you want to use a headset with games you'll need a USB-based headset. Headsets that end with 3.5mm jacks won't work on the mac. (Or you could go Blueooth)

Also while I love the Magic Mouse it sucks for gaming, you'll need to get something nicer. Just about anything will work on the Mac so make sure you look into it.

This version of the iMac does have 3.5mm jacks. So my headset mic works fine. I'm also keeping my old Logitech mouse and MS natural keyboard, of course. The keyboard that the iMac comes with is laptop-sized! Why you would package that with a desktop I'll never know.

Performance wise, the Valve games run great. Starcraft 2 runs a bit choppy on High settings at native resolution, but great on medium. I might try tweaking it to a mix of the two. Anyways, it does what I need it to.

i believe upon purchase of the imac you can choose either the keyboard with or without numpad addition

which isn't really the point, but, yeah. i really like my apple keyboard!

maximumzero

Brym wrote: »

maximumzero wrote: »

Brym wrote: »

Thanks.

I ended up picking one up today. I'm very impressed with the unboxing experience. There's something magical about a computer box with only a single cord inside. I'll post an update on how the games run too eventually.

Keep in mind that if you want to use a headset with games you'll need a USB-based headset. Headsets that end with 3.5mm jacks won't work on the mac. (Or you could go Blueooth)

Also while I love the Magic Mouse it sucks for gaming, you'll need to get something nicer. Just about anything will work on the Mac so make sure you look into it.

This version of the iMac does have 3.5mm jacks. So my headset mic works fine. I'm also keeping my old Logitech mouse and MS natural keyboard, of course. The keyboard that the iMac comes with is laptop-sized! Why you would package that with a desktop I'll never know.

Performance wise, the Valve games run great. Starcraft 2 runs a bit choppy on High settings at native resolution, but great on medium. I might try tweaking it to a mix of the two. Anyways, it does what I need it to.

You'll squeeze a bit more performance out of SCII via future patches and driver updates.

Brym

Faricazy wrote: »

Brym wrote: »

This version of the iMac does have 3.5mm jacks. So my headset mic works fine.

Did you test it?

Because Macs don't have amplified microphone jacks, rather a line-in. If you plugged a regular computer microphone into it, it wouldn't work (or be extremely quiet).

If you tried the headset, I wager that the microphone defaulted to the built-in one.

You're right! It was using the internal mic. The headset mic doesn't work through the line-in.

RBach

Huh. I was going to call Faricazy crazy until I saw those last couple posts. Interesting... So would there be a way to boost the microphone volume before going into the Line In port?

maximumzero

You'll need something like an iMic..

Mugsley

One of those [USB sound card] came with my Steelseries 5Hv2 headset. It works quite well on my MBP with Ventrilo. I still don't understand Apple's reasoning for using a line-in vs. a standard mic jack, but I guess I use my MBP for "nonstandard" purposes......

ben0207

I use a 2009 17" MBP and I can run every game I've found at native res and maxed-out.

Shit is so cash.

Falken

Why not just use the internal microphone? Sound quality was pretty good on the model before last.

DietarySupplement

Falken wrote: »

Why not just use the internal microphone? Sound quality was pretty good on the model before last.

Fine for him.

Not so fine on the people on the other end that will hear his ambient noise.

Mugsley

I hate with a level of vitriol that cannot be described pretty much anyone that tries to use Ventrilo without a headset mic. Invariably it sounds like crap and you end up talking over other people.