[epsionbass]

(please be right forum, please be right forum....)

Hey guys i was just wondering how a lot of games turn out playing on powerbooks, i've always played on standard monitors with standard resolutions. If i play a game like halo will that stretch out normal resoultions so i'm shooting chubby grunts? Or will it be halo in wide screen with basically more viewing area? Plus are games hard to work around if you don't use an external mouse with the power book?

[wuzup101]

Depends on the game, many newer ones support widescrean without any problems (IE: WoW works great on my 15"). I'm not sure about halo, but I would assume it will play in WS mode. As for an external mouse, again it depends on the game, but for most it is a definite necessity if you're not using some other device (such as a controller). The track pad will not cut it for most games, though I have played WoW for short stints between classes with the trackpad --> anoying.

[Xidius]

I often prefer using my trackpad while playing WoW, as a rogue.

.. Unless I'm dueling. Then you need to be able to spin around quickly to backstab.

- Xidius

[Randman]

I prefer WoW on my PB in full screen mode over the 19" actually though I use an external keyboard and Trackman. Just make sure you get enough ram, the more the merrier.

[ShadowoftheColossus]

Basically in any game you can enable widescreen mode, either by using a preset resolution in the preferences, or modifying some .ini text file to say your resolution. What I'd be more concerned about is the videocards apple puts in portables. They're not that great.

- Rob

[Scooterboy]

Epsionbass,

Halo runs great on my PowerBook 17" 1.5 GHz 128 MB vram 2 GB RAM... at 1440 x 900... it has an option for that res. I'm not a hardcore gamer by any means, but the few I have played, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Jedi Academy, Knights of the Old Republic, and the afore mentioned Halo, all played well on the PowerBook. It only stuttered on really large outdoor maps in KOTOR. Turning off the eye candy helps, but with the Quake 3 based games I keep the eye candy on and still get good framerates. Halo also played really well once I found a good balance of eye candy to performance. Did I say iCandy 3 times?

I don't know how the higher res PowerBooks fare, especially so since they didn't upgrade the video card when they upgraded the screens. I really do wish that Apple wouldn't skimp on the video cards in their portables. They almost always are 1 generation behind the competition with 1/2 the VRAM.

I think a good quality multi-button mouse and external keyboard is essential for gaming on the PowerBook. You'll be far more accurate and precise in your gaming so you'll only have yourself to blame if you sux. And you'll save your PowerBook a whole lotta wear and tear.