Macs have always been in the shadow of PCs when it comes to gaming, and there are a few reasons for this. Firstly, Intel-based models have not performed very well in games. Secondly, the variety of games available on macOS has been limited, and this issue continues even with the introduction of the Apple M series chips.
A New Hope for Gaming on Mac
However, things might be changing with the Mac mini (curr. $799 - 512 GB on Amazon) featuring the new Apple M4 and M4 Pro chipsets. Apple seems to be pushing this new mini-PC as a gaming machine, showcasing titles like Control, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Myst, and Layers of Fear on its website. This is a big step for Apple in the gaming world.
Enhanced Gaming Experience
Additionally, notable games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Death Stranding are now compatible with the M4 and M4 Pro chipsets, thanks to their upgraded integrated graphics processing units (iGPUs). The compact design of the new Mac mini makes it a great fit for most TV setups. Plus, it offers a high level of Smart TV compatibility, as it comes with a full-sized HDMI 2.1 port included.
Advancements in Technology
The Apple M4 series chipsets also bring support for advanced features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing, mesh shading, and MetalFX AI upscaling, among other enhancements over earlier models. Yet, we have heard similar claims from Apple in the past regarding gaming performance. Therefore, it might be wise to hold off until we see independent reviews. Still, it's worth noting that the new Mac mini is priced lower than a PlayStation 5 Pro, even though it has a smaller and non-upgradeable storage drive.
Bloomberg & Mark Gurman.
