Just in case anyone is any doubt (there does seem to be some doubt) - Macs can run Windows entirely natively now (using Bootcamp). I would never use Parallels to run games.

 

I hope I am not hijacking at all - just thought if I could aks here it would save another similar thread!

 

I have been running FS for four years now on an Apple laptop with Windows 7 64bit and it goes fine (FS9) as my computer is now fairly dated.

 

If I may ask a question, as well:

 

I generally need to use a laptop, and I don't want two computers. I'll build one if I really have to for a new FSX machine. Preferalby not though. I'd rather stick to Apple if I am able also, as that's what I've used since 1994!

 

Will:

 

2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz) with 6MB L3 cache

8GB RAM

GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5

5400rpm

 

in a laptop happily run FSX with PMDG and some AI planes AND a bit of airport scenery here and there?

 

I get the feeling it may not - but you guys know better than me.

 

Cheers for any advice,

Rudy

Yes, with your settings middle or lower.

 

Just to give you an idea:

 

MacBook Pro i7 2.2Ghz quad core 8GB Ram

 

PMDG + UK2000 = 10-15fps

 

PMDG + default scenery = 30 fps

 

PMDG + Flightbeam = 15-20 fps

Don't pay attention to the ones saying its overpriced and won't play games. I don't want two computers, and for daily use, the Mac is best for me, and I occasionally want to play games, and it does it fine.

 

That said, you need to dump parallels and use boot camp. You will get much better performance. I run the PMDG MD-11 and 737NGX always into high quality add-on scenery, with traffic, and I get around 30 FPS. I play other games too just fine, but I mostly use my windows partition for FSX. I'm using a 2011 21.5 iMac to give you an idea of my system.

Something like half of the PMDG team runs FSX on MacBook Pros or iMacs with Bootcamp - don't listen to the naysayers, if you like the computer, get it. The new ones that were just announced have a GTX680 GPU option too - they're doing much better with putting top of the line stuff in now rather than the previous generation. The displays on Apple products are among the best you can buy too - their 27" ones are amazing.

 

The thing you should be aware of is that you'll have no way to overclock the CPU - FSX definitely does benefit from this, so if wanting to run it at the absolute best is an issue for you, you're better off building a gaming PC.

If I bought the soon to be released Windows 8 I’d appreciate views about how capable of running PMDG aircraft would my setup be?

 

Cliff, from what I've read, WIN8 will give you no appreciable performance boost over WIN7, and the new user interface has half the world grumbling.

 

I would ditch Parallels because that program is eating up cpu cycles so the iMac can run OSX and Windows concurrently. As others here have advised, set up a Bootcamp partition and install WIN7-64. That will allow you to use all 8GB of your memory and your cpu will not have to deal with the overhead of running Parallels. You should get fairly decent performance from that setup.

 

If down the road you're not satisfied with performance on your iMac, you can always build a gaming PC for FSX. I did it myself last year for the first time and am totally glad I did. Lot's of people here will be happy to help you with that as well.

It's the wee small hour of the morning here in Spain. Dark outside and cosy and you've started my day with a laugh at your inclusion of "procrastination" as one of your interests. Thanks!

 

Later this morning I'm taking the plunge and installing FSX/Acceleration/Ground Environment and orbx North American Terrain. Then add the PMDG 747 and 737.

 

All under Bootcamp and Windows 7 64 bit.

 

I'm off for a jog now. (Carrying a little torch) Not bad for a young 81 hmm?

 

Enjoy your day.

 

Regards.............Cliff

Something like half of the PMDG team runs FSX on MacBook Pros or iMacs with Bootcamp - don't listen to the naysayers, if you like the computer, get it. The new ones that were just announced have a GTX680 GPU option too - they're doing much better with putting top of the line stuff in now rather than the previous generation. The displays on Apple products are among the best you can buy too - their 27" ones are amazing.

 

The thing you should be aware of is that you'll have no way to overclock the CPU - FSX definitely does benefit from this, so if wanting to run it at the absolute best is an issue for you, you're better off building a gaming PC.

 

Ryan, thanks for the info. I have been contemplating getting one of the new 13" or 15" apple laptop with the retina display. The 15" has a stand alone 6XX nvidia and up to 16 gigs ram but it is very pricy.

Dave

Thanks Bert, Mac and Ryan for your info. Will give it some thought before taking the plunge - although I am REALLY keen to get started with FSX (finally) and the NGX (which I have), but can't really use that very well at the moment due to my old computer!

 

Cheers,

Rudy

Ryan, thanks for the info. I have been contemplating getting one of the new 13" or 15" apple laptop with the retina display. The 15" has a stand alone 6XX nvidia and up to 16 gigs ram but it is very pricy.

Dave

 

I would not get the 13" if you're planning to sim on it - the Intel graphics chip is never going to hold a candle to the dedicated Nvidia chip in the 15".

Thanks again for the info. From what I can gather - I'd be expecting to run FSX on relatively low settings with a new MBP? I don't use a lot of scenery - maybe a bit of UK2000 and that sort of stuff, and obviously PMDG aircraft! Maybe building will be a better option for FSX and I'll hang on this old thing for everything else it's still fine for!

 

Cheers,

Rudy

Something like half of the PMDG team runs FSX on MacBook Pros or iMacs with Bootcamp - don't listen to the naysayers, if you like the computer, get it. The new ones that were just announced have a GTX680 GPU option too - they're doing much better with putting top of the line stuff in now rather than the previous generation. The displays on Apple products are among the best you can buy too - their 27" ones are amazing.

 

The thing you should be aware of is that you'll have no way to overclock the CPU - FSX definitely does benefit from this, so if wanting to run it at the absolute best is an issue for you, you're better off building a gaming PC.

 

And with a $2000 pricetag. No thanks, I can get the same quality for a much lower price (Windows). Just like iPhone 5, why pay 800$ when you can get a GS3 for 500$

I'd be expecting to run FSX on relatively low settings with a new MBP

The latest generation MacBook Pro comes with a much better processor (i7 IIRC) than the one I have (C2D) and if I am able to run the NGX fine with sliders 3/4 the way up (no traffic, though), then you will be able to run FSX pretty well on the new MBP's.

 

EDIT: My framerate slider is on unlimited, however I do use FPS_Limiter to externally lock FPS at 30. This gives me super smooth frames, no matter what the aircraft. I also use Bojote's FSX.cfg tweaks.

 

Just like iPhone 5, why pay 800$ when you can get a GS3 for 500$

 

Loving my Nokia E72 B)

 

 

And with a $2000 pricetag. No thanks, I can get the same quality for a much lower price (Windows). Just like iPhone 5, why pay 800$ when you can get a GS3 for 500$

Where the hell do you buy your iPhones? For me, the iPhone is $199 with a 2-year contract with AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint.

Where the hell do you buy your iPhones? For me, the iPhone is $199 with a 2-year contract with AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint.

 

In certain countries, iPhones are sold unlocked (no contract obligation), hence the higher price.

In certain countries, iPhones are sold unlocked (no contract obligation), hence the higher price.

It is also sold in the US without contract, but most people still go for the 2 year contract price.