Forum Discussion

Spacemoney8100's avatar
4 years ago
Solved

MacBook Pro m2

I'm planning on getting a new MacBook, and one of the reasons is because I can't run the sims with most/all packs and some mods/cc on my current one. I use my MacBook for school/work and I want to be able to use it for the sims as well. I know the Air m2 isn't out yet, but the specs have been released. I would probably either get the MBP m2 with the following: 

  • Apple M2 chip with 8‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
  • 8GB or 16GB unified memory
  • 256GB SSD storage

Or the MBA m2 with the following:

  • Apple M2 chip with 8‑core CPU, 8‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
  • 8GB or 16 GB unified memory
  • 256GB SSD storage

I might be able to get the 10-core GPU on the MBA m2 if needed. I've heard that MBAs are not really great for gaming and that they get hot pretty fast when playing due to the finless design. So, I'm really unsure which to go for? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!!

  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    4 years ago
    @Spacemoney8100

    Then if I was you I would go for the MBP over the MBA 🙂

    I have everything on the highest possible settings because I like my graphics to pop! I posted a screenshot of my settings in another thread over the last week or two, I’ll see if I can find it. The M2 is the next generation so should be even better.

8 Replies

  • @Spacemoney8100

    The Apple Silicon chips don’t get as hot. I have the 1st gen. MacBook Air with the M1 chip and it plays the game with all packs and kits to date really well, beautifully in fact. I stick it on a USB cooling pad but it’s always a good idea to do that with any laptop to help cool it.

    Obviously the Air isn’t a high spec machine and you’d be much better off getting one of the 14” or 16” Max or Pro machines if you want one laptop to do everything. They have fans too 🙂
  • Spacemoney8100's avatar
    Spacemoney8100
    4 years ago

    Thank you for replying so quickly and for your help!

    Unfortunately, the 14" and 16" Pros are out of my price range ☹️ so I'd have to decide between the MBP and MBA 13".

    Also, are you able to run the sims on ultra settings on your MacBook with all of the packs? Or do you have to lower the settings a bit?

  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    4 years ago
    @Spacemoney8100

    Then if I was you I would go for the MBP over the MBA 🙂

    I have everything on the highest possible settings because I like my graphics to pop! I posted a screenshot of my settings in another thread over the last week or two, I’ll see if I can find it. The M2 is the next generation so should be even better.
  • Spacemoney8100's avatar
    Spacemoney8100
    4 years ago

    I'm sorry, I do actually just have one other question. What are the main differences between the two? Like what makes the MBP or the MBA the better or worse choice? How would each affect the gaming? I'm sorry haha I just really don't know much about this stuff!

  • Spacemoney8100's avatar
    Spacemoney8100
    4 years ago

    Are the MBA and MBP able to runs the sims 4 on ultra settings with a good amount of CC and mods with most of the packs? I don't want it to slow down my game, frame rates, or compromise my graphics.

    Would I be better off getting an iMac desktop or other, non-Apple computer altogether?

    Thanks!

  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    4 years ago
    @Spacemoney8100

    Probably but who can say when not many have had hands on experience yet? Honestly you need to be realistic about the power that games need to run and unless you're going fo the absolute top spec machine, you may have to compromise graphics over time for smooth gameplay.

    The current iMacs have the same spec as the first gen. MacBook Airs and 13" Pros.

    If you want help with Windows machines you should post in the PC forum - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/bd-p/The-Sims-4