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Apple’s newly launched MacBook Neo may not be marketed as a gaming laptop, but that hasn’t stopped curious users from putting it through its paces. In a recent experiment, YouTuber Andrew Tsai tested 10 different games on the entry-level MacBook to see how well Apple’s most affordable laptop can handle gaming workloads.
The MacBook Neo is positioned as a budget-friendly Mac, starting at around $599, and is powered by Apple’s A18 Pro chip. That’s actually the same processor architecture originally designed for high-end iPhones. While the device is aimed primarily at everyday productivity and student use, the test explored whether Apple’s growing GPU capabilities could make casual gaming viable on the machine.
How well does the MacBook Neo handle gaming?
In the video, Tsai tested a mix of native Mac titles, Windows games running through translation layers, and emulated games to see how the MacBook Neo handled different gaming scenarios. The results were a mixed bag, though some titles ran better than expected for a budget machine.
For example, Cyberpunk 2077 only ran well at 720p with all graphics settings set to the lowest, highlighting the limits of the hardware for demanding AAA games. In contrast, Minecraft performed far better, running anywhere between 50 and 300 FPS at 1080p, depending on the graphics preset. Performance was far less consistent for games running through translation layers. Counter-Strike 2 was described as “completely unplayable,” while the indie title Mewgenics ran almost flawlessly, thanks to its simpler 2D design and OpenGL rendering.
Long story short, though, the experiment showed that the MacBook Neo can handle lighter or well-optimized games fairly well, but more demanding titles still require heavy compromises in resolution and graphics settings.
Does this mean Macs are finally becoming gaming machines?
Of course, that doesn’t mean Macs can suddenly replace gaming laptops. Tests like this suggest Apple’s hardware is increasingly capable of running games, even on entry-level machines like the MacBook Neo. The A18 Pro chip delivers far more graphical horsepower than typical low-cost laptop processors, which helps explain why some titles performed better than expected.
Still, the broader picture hasn’t changed much yet: MacOS gaming remains limited by the availability of native titles and developer support. While Apple has been investing in gaming technologies and tools in recent years, most major releases still prioritize Windows PCs and consoles first. However, if the Neo manages to become the hot-seller Apple wants it to be, we might see more gaming options pop up on Apple devices, apart from Apple Arcade.
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