Computer bargains

[gamblor916]

Kinda off topic (maybe) but that list of upcoming games is awesome. I have a Mac Pro desktop which should be beefy enough for most games. How would one run PC games reliably on OSX? I know Blizzard are mac friendly, but Deus Ex and Duke Nukem are shaping up to be must buys.

[Doubledealer]

Kinda off topic (maybe) but that list of upcoming games is awesome. I have a Mac Pro desktop which should be beefy enough for most games. How would one run PC games reliably on OSX? I know Blizzard are mac friendly, but Deus Ex and Duke Nukem are shaping up to be must buys.

I believe you'll want to install Windows 7 using Boot Camp. Here's something I dug up from the Apple site: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3986

[jaydisc]

You have a few options, of which the most powerful is as DD says. Although, since this requires a reboot, most Mac users find it tiring and figure out another way.

You can also run Windows virtualized, like Parallels or VMWare Fusion. I'd search for reviews for these specific to games. However, I would expect that Mac native versions of these games (assuming they exist) would outperform virtualization.

Important Disclaimer: I don't play games. So, a couple of questions:

1. I hear Mac folks talk a lot about Steam in the context of games. What is that and how does it relate?

2. Doesn't XBox and/or Playstation provide the best gaming experience anyway? I thought PC games were pretty passé as a result of these.

[KillinSpoon]

1. I hear Mac folks talk a lot about Steam in the context of games. What is that and how does it relate?

Do you remember GameSpy? How it used to be a hub where all your installed games were, and they had special GameSpy servers? Well, it is essentially like that, it is an iTunes for games. :P
Friends lists, team parties, servers and a store.

2. Doesn't XBox and/or Playstation provide the best gaming experience anyway? I thought PC games were pretty passé as a result of these.

I llike to think that they do, but each to their own :/

[Hursticon]

Important Disclaimer: I don't play games. So, a couple of questions:

1. I hear Mac folks talk a lot about Steam in the context of games. What is that and how does it relate?

Do you remember GameSpy? How it used to be a hub where all your installed games were, and they had special GameSpy servers? Well, it is essentially like that, it is an iTunes for games. :P
Friends lists, team parties, servers and a store.

That's actually a damn good set of analogies KS, really well put and pretty much sums up exactly what Steam is: A PC Gamer's friend.

2. Doesn't XBox and/or Playstation provide the best gaming experience anyway? I thought PC games were pretty passé as a result of these.

I like to think that they do, but each to their own :/

</swallows_fanboy_rage> (Does everyone forget what console games are designed and built on?... )

Gaming on a desired platform really is subjective and as KillingSpoon says, is entirely up to the individual.

There are arguments for and against gaming on Mobile, PC & Console based systems but they're all pretty much equal and none of them are passée at any rate.
Whilst console gaming may possibly make more money than that of PC and Mobile, that certainly doesn't mean the quality is superior because at the end of the day the past 1.5 generations of consoles have been handed their market share courtesy of PC Gaming.
(A little hint: The abbreviation is FPS )

[Doubledealer]

Important Disclaimer: I don't play games. So, a couple of questions:

1. I hear Mac folks talk a lot about Steam in the context of games. What is that and how does it relate?

As quoted from http://www.valvesoftware.com/:

Valve is the creator of Steam, the pioneering game platform that distributes and manages over 1,500 games directly to a community of more than 30 million players around the world.

The site has its own Mac area too: http://store.steampowered.com/browse/mac/

2. Doesn't XBox and/or Playstation provide the best gaming experience anyway? I thought PC games were pretty passé as a result of these.

The consoles you mentioned provide a different experience, not necessarily better or worse, it just depends on the person. For example, some people prefer to slob on the couch and play on their huge telly which is hooked up to their surround sound system. Others prefer the added immersion and keyboard + mouse controls PC gaming provides.

It's all about the games for me and I've got no brand/platform loyalty whatsoever. I'll simply buy whichever version I think will suit me best eg. Portal 2 on 360 for local split-screen co-op or Bioshock on PC for the controls & atmosphere. They all have their strengths and as a hardcore gamer...Must have them all (well, apart from the Wii )