[Helmling]

Anyone had any experience with Doom3 and Quake4 on a Macbook? Thinking Core 2 Duo with 2 Gb...would I even dream of trying to run these games?

[mduell]

Depends on the resolution and texture level; could be playable, could be a slideshow.

[cgc]

I would focus on the graphics architecture more than the CPU and RAM. Since the MacBook has the "Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950" I would look for benchmarks that use that.

According to AnandTech, the Intel 950 does a barely adequate job. Check out the reviews...if you're gonna game, consider the MacBook Pro.

[Helmling]

Yes, yes, yes, thank you for the blinding flashes of the obvious.

I was asking for real-life testimonials with the Macbook, not benchmarks on the Intel graphics chipsets in a different machine. We all know GMA sucks, but most people aren't willing to pay the premium on the Pro just to have better frame rates.

So thanks, but I ask again: can anyone tell me about their actual gameplay experiences with the Doom3 engine?

[cgc]

Just trying to help. GMA950 benchmarks on one platform should be indicate ballpark performance on another. Try the demo and post your results

[feethea]

I run Quake 4, Call of Duty 2, and Lego Star Wars 2, on a MacBook Pro - the 2.4GHz, 15.4", 2Gb RAM, version.

All three run very well indeed. The first two at 1280x1024 and the last at 1400x900. All very very smooth. Hope this helps.

[Helmling]

Yeah, but that's the pro...it'd better make you drool for the price you paid.

Thanks cgc, I completely forgot there was a demo. After playing CoD2 on this machine, though, I'm pretty sure Doom3 is still out of the ballpark.