Macbooks are not the most optimal choice for gaming, particularly when it comes to AAA video games. At the same time, things have improved quite a lot if you were to compare the capabilities of previous and the most recent Macbook models.
The gaming experience can improve even more if you make some necessary adjustments and give your Macbook a boost. Here are some suggestions on how to enjoy video games on a Macbook.
Suggestion #1 – Disable Notifications
Imagine playing a video game and experiencing a sudden FPS drop. It may be that the computer is initiating a process, such as indexing for Spotlight or syncing for iCloud. And you receive a notification after the process is over.
You can disable automatic updates and notifications that may interrupt your gaming time. If you want to stop seeing pop-ups, go to the Notification Center and enable the Do Not Disturb feature.
Suggestion #2 – Declutter Desktop
A clutter-free desktop is something you should strive for even if you do not play video games on the Macbook.
It may be more convenient to have access to files with a single click, but sacrificing your Mac’s overall performance is not worth it. Instead, aim to keep files in another location, and if you have problems finding what you need, use Spotlight’s search feature.
Suggestion #3 – Scan System for Potential Malware
An underperforming computer may be the result of malware or viruses. Scan the system using reliable antivirus software and make sure that there are no corrupted files on the drive. If the software finds viruses on the computer, eliminate them right away.
Suggestion #4 – Free up Drive Space
Your Macbook’s drive should have at least 15% of free storage. Given how some Mac do not offer that much space to work with, it can be difficult to manage data efficiently. Not to mention that some video games require a lot of space.
You need to get in the habit of removing temporary system junk regularly. Also, there might be old downloads, email attachments, and applications that you no longer need.
Transfer some of the files to external storage devices, such as memory sticks. Cloud services are also a good shout, particularly Dropbox and iCloud or use Cloud Gaming Services, one of the innovations in the Gaming Industry.
Lastly, if you have many songs, movies, or TV shows on the computer, why not make more use of available streaming services and forget about keeping large media files on the laptop?
Suggestion #5 – Add New Hardware If Possible
Not all Macbook owners have the option to add new hardware, but if your Mac model allows for it, and you have some money to spare, then why not invest it in some upgrades?
You can even wait for the holiday season and shop for new parts during a sale. The most popular pieces of hardware that users add include RAM, solid-state drives, and external graphics processing units.
Suggestion #6 – Try Full-Screen Mode
You usually have the option to run a game in either a full-screen mode or in a window mode. In most cases, full-screen mode is the better option because the system has to process only the game instead of the game and the desktop. If you have been playing some games in window mode, see whether full-screen boosts the Macbook performance.
Suggestion #7 – Tinker With In-Game Settings
It can be difficult to find the right balance between in-game looks and how the computer runs a game. Some people try preset graphic variations and go with either medium or high. However, it is worth pointing out that you can change individual elements, such as the quality of shadows, textures, water reflection, as well as resolution.
Try different setups until you are satisfied with both how the game performs and how it looks while you play. After all, some video games are visually-driven, and playing them if you cannot enjoy the scenery is not that fun.
Suggestion #8 – Get a Cooling Pad
If there is one accessory that you should consider getting for the Mac to enjoy video games more, it would have to be a cooling pad.
It is no secret that video games require more system resources than most applications. And since the Macbook has a finite amount of resources, some hardware cannot keep up and overheat as soon as you launch a video game.
A cooling pad reduces the burden of the internal Macbook fans by providing another source of air and some breathing room for the hardware.
You would also benefit by removing dust and dirt inside the Macbook. Removing the filth would free up the internal fans and improve their efficiency.
Suggestion #9 – Stop Visual Effects
Even if a computer looks matter, there is no real need to have visual effects around. For example, your Macbook would benefit a lot performance-wise if you were to disable a backlit keyboard and other gimmicks.
