New: Gaming On A Mac

Almost two years ago, Apple released the first Mac with an Intel architecture. With it came a lot of new possibilities. The mac was now able run windows and windows-games! Of course there have always been games for OSx but never on the same level as on windows.
So today there are a few options if you want to play games on a mac, let’s find out.

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OSx

Virtualization

With this software you can run windows(-apps) without leaving OSx. There are two options: Parallels and VMware, there is a complete comparison list. Most of the game will run poorly if you don’t have the recommended hardware.:..

Parallels

With Version 3.0 of Parallels, support for DirectX 8.1 and OpenGL was added, allowing Mac users to play some older Windows games. Not all DirectX 8.1 and OpenGL games are supported. Here is the list of supported games.

VMware

It has support for DirectX 8 & 9 (a,b,c are not supported) and some OpenGL. There is a list of working games.

Native

Of course there are also games made specifically for OSx. They run at full speed and are fully optimized. Note that most of them are ports from the original windows-game and are usually later released.

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Windows

The last and “best” possibility is Bootcamp. With this you can run windows XP and Vista with no performance lost, just like on a pc. When you boot your Mac up, you can choose which OS you want to use, OSx or Windows.

From Apple:

Drivers galore.

When you install Windows using Boot Camp, you won’t need to search the Internet for drivers or burn a disc. After you run Boot Camp, simply insert the Leopard DVD to install the necessary drivers. Everything you need to make your Mac work with Windows is right there. When you use a Windows application, you’ll have full access to unique Mac features (iSight, Apple Remote, trackpad, specific keyboard keys, keyboard backlighting) and connectivity (wired and wireless).

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