While Apple’s computers, like the iMac or the MacBook Pro, aren’t as popular as PCs for gaming, the latest-generation models have plenty of processing power to play modern titles.
The ARM-based M1, M2, and M3 chipsets are systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) combining the capabilities of a PC central processing unit (CPU) and graphics card. These chipsets, along with the increasing prevalence of the ARM architecture, are helping make Mac systems suitable for gaming.
If you are looking into gaming with your MacBook, follow these simple tips to optimize your system and make it game-ready.
Check Your Mac’s Storage Space
Modern video games take up a large amount of disk space. The file size of a PC or Mac video game in 2023 typically ranges from 50 to 100 gigabytes (GB), and the largest titles available frequently exceed 150 GB.
One of the first steps to prepare your MacBook for gaming is to ensure you have enough disk space to store the games you want to play. You can check the size of your MacBook’s hard drive by opening the Storage menu (Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage). Colored bars represent the files on your drive, and the white bar shows your free space.
Clean up your MacBook’s hard drive and make room for your game with the following tips:
- Use Apple’s Storage Optimization tool. Access it by following this path: Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage, click the Manage Button, and then click Recommendations in the sidebar. Your system will offer suggestions to manage your disk space.
- Manually empty your device’s Trash to free up more space.
- Inspect your Downloads folder and delete any files you no longer need.
- Find and remove unnecessary files, images, or videos by deleting them, moving them to a different storage device, or uploading them to your iCloud.
- Uninstall any applications you no longer use, especially if they have a large file size.
- Clear your browser cache files. If you use Safari, open your browser and follow this path: Safari > Preferences. Click on the Advanced tab, check “Show Develop menu in menu bar,” and then open the Develop menu and select Empty Caches.
Always back up important data or files before managing your storage space. If you still need more storage space, you may need to install an external storage drive, such as an external HDD or SSD.
Check If Your System Supports Game Mode
In November 2023, Mac systems with Apple’s chipsets (M1 and M2 processors) and macOS Sonoma or later became compatible with Apple’s Game Mode feature. This software mode automatically optimizes the performance of your MacBook while gaming.
Game Mode provides games with better access to the system’s CPU and GPU resources and decreases the priority of background tasks. It also increases Bluetooth sampling, helping accessories like your controller or wireless gaming headphones feel more responsive.
Your system is compatible with Game Mode if it meets the system requirements and if you have updated to the latest macOS version. Check your system version by following this path: Apple Menu > About This Mac. The version name and number can be found on the macOS line. As of December 2023, the latest macOS Sonoma version is 14.1.2.
Optimize Your Energy Settings
While the latest MacBooks are suitable for gaming applications, running resource-intensive applications can drain your battery power quickly. Additionally, your energy settings may throttle your MacBook’s performance.
Follow these tips to avoid energy-related performance issues:
- Play with your charger plugged in. Plugging in your charger helps ensure your battery doesn’t drain too quickly while gaming. It also prevents your MacBook from entering a power-saving mode, which can reduce your hardware’s performance and lower the frame rate.
- Adjust your battery settings. Follow this path: Apple Menu > System Settings > Battery. Review the settings currently enabled and ensure your computer and display sleep sliders are set to Never. This will ensure your Mac doesn’t automatically shut the display or itself off while gaming.
Verify the “Put hard disks to sleep when possible” and “Slightly dim the display while on battery power” are also off. These options ensure your display remains at optimal brightness and your hard drive remains fully accessible while gaming, reducing load times.
- Ensure your battery is in good condition. Gaming draws significant system resources and energy, making it crucial to ensure your battery is healthy. You can check your MacBook’s battery condition by following this path: Apple Menu > System Report, and then navigating to the Power tab on the left-hand side. Look under Battery Information to view your battery health.
If the Condition indicator does not say Normal, your battery may be near the end of its life. Consider ordering an Apple laptop replacement battery for your MacBook.
Manage Your Background Applications
Even on systems compatible with Game Mode, having many applications in the background can decrease your system’s performance and impact your frame rate while in-game. Get the best possible experience by managing your background applications when starting your MacBook and before starting your game.
- Use the Activity Monitor. Follow this path to open your Mac’s Activity Monitor: Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor. Sort the applications by CPU usage so the most resource-intensive applications are near the top.
Try closing any non-essential apps from the Activity Monitor to reduce the strain on your system and ensure your MacBook has enough processing power and memory to run your game. Common resource-draining apps include web browsers, cloud storage services, instant chat apps like Discord or Zoom, and media players like iTunes or Spotify.
- Turn off applications on login. Many applications may be configured to start and remain in the background when you turn your MacBook on. While it can be convenient for apps you use often, it can also reduce your system performance unnecessarily.
Manage your login items by following this path: Apple Menu > System Preferences > Users & Accounts. Click on the Login Items tab and ensure your user account is selected. If the padlock icon is closed, click it to unlock it and make changes. You will see a list of applications configured to open automatically upon login. Remove any applications you don’t need or want by selecting them in the list and pressing the minus (-) button.
Get Ready for Gaming on Your MacBook
The latest iterations of the MacBook have the hardware and capabilities for serious gaming sessions. Best of all, Mac gaming is growing, with an increasing number of high-profile games supporting macOS. Major 2023 releases on Mac include Baldur’s Gate 3, Lies of P, and Stray. If you are planning to play any of these games or any other titles on Mac, ensure your system is ready and optimized to get the best possible experience.
