Steam for Mac: First Impressions, Windows Is Faster
We test out Valve's Steam for Mac. The results may (not) surprise you, but there's hope for Mac users who also want to play games.
There are few things in the gaming world as exciting as a new platform launching. Valve's announcement that Steam would be coming to the Mac was one such occasion. For Mac users, Steam is an ideal platform that promises several things: easier game development, cross-platform launches, and most important, more content.
For the longest time (and admittedly, even today), gaming was the Achilles's heel for anyone considering a Mac. Most games simply never made it to the Mac platform. Steam promises to change all this, and we're already beginning to see the first examples of Valve's effort. Once you hit the Steam store, you're able to see that Valve has already marked games that are available to both Mac and PC users. To celebrate Steam for Mac's release, Valve even announced that its popular title Portal would be freely available until May 24th.
The Implications of Steam for Mac
There are several hurdles that Valve must overcome in making Steam for Mac successful. First of all, a majority of titles on Steam are Windows-only titles. That means that these games are developed to run through Microsoft's DirectX API. In Mac OS X, graphics are handled by OpenGL. While Valve's own Source engine is available for both DirectX (Windows and Xbox 360) and OpenGL (Mac OS X and PlayStation 3), there are major differences.
The second major hurdle is development. It's unclear whether Valve has ported Portal from Windows to OS X or recoded and optimized. However, during testing, we discovered several bugs that lead us to believe that, at least at the moment, titles are being ported in order to meet time-to-market.
Portal and Portaling
As of this writing, Steam is being continually updated by Valve. There have already been two big updates for Steam for Mac today, and Portal itself received an update as well. Unfortunately, the game still seems buggy. Sometimes it crashes, sometimes there are missing textures, and sometimes the colors are off. The last major update actually causes the portals to appear black. You're unable to see through them, as you should.
Obviously, this is a major bug that needs to be addressed. It demonstrates that games enabled via Steam for Mac require more than just simple port. Getting a DX title running in OpenGL is no small feat.
Benchmarks
Portal isn't exactly the most graphically-intensive game on the market. However, we wanted to find the delta in performance betweem Portal for Windows and Portal for OS X. We came up with two platforms, one of which is a late-2009 MacBook Pro and the other a custom-built hackintosh.
Mid 2009 Apple MacBook Pro:
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.53 GHz
- RAM: 4GB DDR3 @ 1067 MT/s
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce 9400M 256MB, 197.16 WHQL
- HDD: Intel X25-G2 SSD 80GB
- Screen: 1440x900
- Sound: Built-in sound
- OS X: Version 10.6.3 with latest updates
- Windows: Version 7 64-bit with latest updates
Hackintosh:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-975 Extreme Edition @ 3.33 GHz
- Motherboard: Gigabyte X58A-UD7
- RAM: 18GB Kingston DDR3 @ 1079 MT/s
- GPU: ATI Radeon HD 4890 1GB, Catalyst 10.4
- HDD: Intel X25-G1 SSD 80GB
- Screen: 2560x1600
- Sound: Built-in sound
- OS X: Version 10.6.3 with latest updates
- Windows: Version 7 64-bit with latest updates
MacBook Pro:
| Low | Medium | Maximum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS X 10.6.3 | 37.3 | 32.5 | 32.1 |
| Windows 7 | 72.6 | 58.5 | 54.1 |
Hackintosh:
| Low | Medium | Maximum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS X 10.6.3 | 142.7 | 109.3 | 87.7 |
| Windows 7 | 247.9 | 171.5 | 109.3 |
We can see immediately that Portal for Mac is nowhere near as capable as its Windows counterpart. However, there are several interesting points to take away from this. Portal for Mac, in its current form, is at least able to deliver playable frame rates, even on a lower-end Mac like last year's MacBook Pro. Admittedly, the biggest bottleneck here is the GPU.
On the hackintosh side, we get a different and more interesting picture. It appears as though a combination of factors could be holding Portal for Mac back from achieving Windows-like 3D performance. First, we're fairly certain that the Mac drivers play a significant role. Currently, the driver for the hackintosh platform is a combination of Apple's default driver with some level of community engineering. This isn't the ideal approach to optimization. Until Apple comes out with higher-performance drivers, we'll continue to see a significant delta between the two platforms.
Second, the OpenGL versus Direct3D debate is ongoing. Some industry experts, like John Carmack, swear by OpenGL. However, it's clear that Microsoft has put a tremendous effort into pulling the software development community onboard with DirectX, and an increasing number of titles are employing the API. OpenGL on the Mac, on the other hand, is better-suited to productivity than gaming performance. On a related note, Blizzard's World of Warcraft, which is available natively for both OS X and Windows, runs far better in Windows than it does in OS X. At 2560x1600 with max settings, WoW can reach upwards of 150 to 200 FPS on the above hackintosh configuration, while it maxes out at 35% to 50% below the Windows scores, suggesting the aforementioned factors are taking a toll.
The Graphics Issue with Apple
Graphics driver and application availability will improve over time, and when the Steam for Mac is mainstream enough, developers are not only more likely to port their titles, but unveil games for both platforms at closer to the same time. Things are getting more exciting for an install base of Mac users who've largely been shut out of the gaming world altogether. Unfortunately, GPU selection is a big issue for Apple right now, as the company barely offers anything competitive to what's available on the PC (one of the most advanced graphics option for the expensive Mac Pro tower, for instance, is last-generation's AMD Radeon HD 4870).
Check out our gallery of Portal for Mac in the meantime.
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Hard numbers:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3726 [...] erformance
is anyone surprised? lol. so much for your "superior" computer mac fanbois, that can get owned by a PC that is 400+ cheaper
^ Not only is the hardware deficant, (lol at a 1k$+ compy with a core 2 duo and IGP), but the prized OS (incompatible with everything) but it turns out the OS is ALSO a fail.
Apple may have more games now but that doesn't stop it from sucking. In fact thanks to the folks at Valve the Mac can now suck where it has never sucked before!
Man I almost kinda...... actually feel bad for the mac
Your still not getting it aznguy. MacBooks are superior in usability. I can care less about playing SC2 on my tiny 13" screen. Thats when the dual 20" Win7 rig comes in handy
But in classes, I'll take my multi touch shortcuts anyday.
I do know a lot of Mac users who are certain that their hardware is better than any PC. I politely remind them that, no, it's not, and that their operating system and hardware aren't being put to the test like a lot of PC's have.
Looks like that's changing...
Looks like apple's "magical" hardware and OS aren't so magical after all.
Games are better run in windows. PERIOD.
I imagine it is optimized for Windows, but this is about the difference of a generation of graphics cards - which is embarrassing for the fruity company.
My wife has a Mac Book Pro of the same specs in this article. I have tried for years to get her interested in gaming. I built her a decent gaming rig, steered her toward a ASUS G72 laptop with the GTX260m. All to no avail. Maybe I can give it one last shot, now that it's available for her precious Mac.
Your still not getting it aznguy. MacBooks are superior in usability. I can care less about playing SC2 on my tiny 13" screen. Thats when the dual 20" Win7 rig comes in handy But in classes, I'll take my multi touch shortcuts anyday.
... I have a netbook with Multitouch shortcuts. Awesome, good to know my netbook (600 mhz Celeron, Intel 915GSE, 1 GB 333 mhz RAM) is equivalent to a MacBook.
why are they so expensive again? oh right, its the "hipster" thing to do.
This is good. I hope they get to play games like Crysis and BFBC2. It will show them just how weak their hardware really is at gaming. And there's people out there utterly convinced that a Mac can do anything a PC can.
why are they so expensive again? oh right, its the "hipster" thing to do.
You pay an extra $500-600 for that shiny Apple logo.
Apple may have more games now but that doesn't stop it from sucking. In fact thanks to the folks at Valve the Mac can now suck where it has never sucked before!
Somebody rated your comment down, dude. Silly Macfans! I gave you a plus though. Because you're right. Because Macs ....... Because they're proprietary, overpriced, underpowered... So and and so forth, ad nauseum.
In the future Jobs will come out and say how "inferior" Steam is for Apple. Point the blame at Steam being the reason it can't run on its advanced platform. Then Apple will copy Steam, create its own gaming platform. Make 1 million mediocre to poor games, and sell them for $79.99 each. Then sue Steam for patent infringement.
well i can under stand about the source engine not running well on mac because valve have never done OpenGL for source they have always done Directx i think in time it MAY get better who knows i would actually love to see them let Windows use OpenGL in it
Your still not getting it aznguy. MacBooks are superior in usability. I can care less about playing SC2 on my tiny 13" screen. Thats when the dual 20" Win7 rig comes in handy But in classes, I'll take my multi touch shortcuts anyday.
There are some "new" tiny devices who are capable of the same stuff you've mentioned "in class stuff" it's a lil' miracle called netbooks, which are nowhere near the mac 13"ish screened notebook's price you've mentioned. And if you were talking about the Ipad, well... Price/Performance that's the only justification I care about. Btw, before you jump into conclusions I use Ubuntu on my netbook, I'm not a fan of Bill's moneymaker. It just run my games like no other..
You have got to see this guys review of Steam on Mac straight up Facepalm if you're a PC user.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCEQZ_4V7NY
There are some "new" tiny devices who are capable of the same stuff you've mentioned "in class stuff" it's a lil' miracle called netbooks, which are nowhere near the mac 13"ish screened notebook's price you've mentioned. And if you were talking about the Ipad, well... Price/Performance that's the only justification I care about. Btw, before you jump into conclusions I use Ubuntu on my netbook, I'm not a fan of Bill's moneymaker. It just run my games like no other..
I used a 10" Asus EeePC during college. Ran EasyPeasy on it and it worked like a charm. I could record lectures using the built in mic, it weighed no more than a textbook, and the battery life was at worst 6 hours. At best 8 hours. I don't see what I would have gotten by spending twice as much money on an Apple laptop. It does everything you need to do for note taking and more, but for half the price.
Jobs 3:16
For Jobs so loved the world that he gave his one and only Mac, that whoever believes in him shall not think but have eternal faith.
Some times being right can make one feel good. Just saying I told you so just doesn't quite cut it but perhaps game developers NEED to revisit the days ware DX wasn't the standard yet when Glide and openGl were still common for high end titles. The games won't be as appealing but having something that works as intended as well better on lower end specs would make gaming enjoyable under OSX and Linux with out bloating. For me gaming will remain under Windows since I prefer being able to play vintage games as well modern with out needing emulation.
Protip to all Mac users: Install Windows 7 and play games faster, better and easier.
Steam waiting for all of the Mac gamers = the sound of crickets.
Macs still have 5-6% of the market..... and how many of those people game?
Again... the sound of crickets.
Steam and valve just aren't thinking.
Steam waiting for all of the Mac gamers = the sound of crickets.Macs still have 5-6% of the market..... and how many of those people game?Again... the sound of crickets.Steam and valve just aren't thinking.
Come on dude, mac is cool! Like parachute pants and fuzzy legwarmers were cool. Once the fad dies out there's nothing to a mac.
"Getting a DX title running in OpenGL is no small feat."
Ya don't say....
Great that the pay-for delivery system works, but do the games? I would like to say that the mac users that buy a game that doesn't work deserve special consideration, but nah.
DirectX won the rendering battle more than 10 years ago, (when OpenGL and Glide started losing ground). The market and back of the gaming boxes showing "system requirements" makes this fact obvious.
I do not predict high numbers of developers going back to previously released software and BACKPORTING in OpenGL support.
Mac users who suddenly want to game on their over-priced, under-powered, and even lesser supported, OS locked hardware: SUX to be you!
It took Valve's Steam engine running on Mac to benchmark Mac computers on Tom's??? Is this a joke? There is PLENTY of software that could be compared.
I think it's abundantly clear, at least looking at the screenshots on Anandtech, that there's lighting and post-processing issues at the moment. The glass on the right side of the main comparison has no glare on it and it's just really blurry.
I think we can put the argument to rest. Matching dollar for dollar the PC does everything better except for maybe battery life on a laptop. But that MacBook that costs $2K can't hold a candle hardware wise to a $2K laptop. So sure it gets better battery life but you're dealing in inferior hardware.
As more and more time goes by Apple computers become more and more irrelevant. Buying an Apple computer is like buying Gucci, Couch or something...just buying the name.
for all you pc fanboys out there, first off, this is the first version of steam + ports of these games for the first time for a completely different OS. It takes time for things to become perfected, and even still, it isn't perfected then. Seriously, how long has steam been on windows for, compared to this release of steam for os x
PC for game Mac for real work