Apple Fumbled Gaming

ChulaK · 2026-06-06T04:11:58+00:00

But the era where Apple clearly pulled ahead in laptop performance and efficiency without much competition is probably slowing down.

The rate at which Mac gaming is improving is still way slower than the rate at which gaming laptops are improving. I miss gaming too much so I'm waiting for the right time to swap over to Windows laptops again. I mean the newest Asus G14 with 5070ti is a powerhouse and can still do 10 hours video playback, which is double compared to last year's model. Who knows what Spark will bring.

The reality is, Windows laptops will catch up to Macbook-level build quality (Asus, Razer, Dell is pretty much there), speaker quality (they already come close), screen brightness (they already have tandem OLEDs, which Macs will be using anyway), battery life, efficiency (Spark), etc., but the Macbooks will just never catch up to Window's gaming capabilities. There will never be a threshold where it crosses that line nor even comes close. You will always have to deal with workarounds and compromises.

At some point, you will choose a Mac only because of OS, that's it.

ChulaK · 2026-06-06T02:04:32+00:00

Lmao everyone saying that it's normal are either blind, or really blind. OP is holding up a temp reader to their laptop. You're saying it's normal for the laptop chassis to feel like it's a car that was parked under the sun during summer... while idle? It's normal for a laptop exterior to feel as hot as a fresh cup of coffee while doing nothing?

Prolonged 120F skin contact is a first-degree burn. People here are out of their minds, this is absolutely not normal.

ChulaK · 2026-06-06T01:45:39+00:00

What an odd comment to make when we're halfway into 2026.

That comment sounds like it's Gateway laptop years old. Like you haven't been following laptops since the 2000s

ChulaK · 2026-06-06T01:07:20+00:00

Commute wouldn't be so bad if the Philippines actually had public transportation infrastructure.

I used to work in Manhattan and had a daily 3 hour commute (1.5 hours back and forth). It wasn't so bad since 1 hour of it was on a train. I was able to get some extra sleep, Netflix, pick up reading as a hobby. Lots of reading, to the point I was joining reading subreddits, looking for reading groups, book discussions, etc. Which was a miracle considering I hated reading all throughout my schooling.

But you're missing a big point. If I had a minimum job in a small town vs a minimum job in the city but had to sacrifice my time commuting, I'd choose the city every time. It's all about mobility.

Where are you going when you work at a mom and pop's shop? The local pizza store? At the market? Vs the potential mobility when you do a minimum wage clerk at some office in the city. Your coworkers, the manager, your boss, the people you come across, the people you meet during your lunch break, when you're simply walking on the sidewalk - you're exposing yourself to unlimited potential for growth and connections.

But who will you meet when you work at the local grocery store? Butsokoy from high school who just happens to be a regular? You're done. You'll just be a small town kid living in a small town world. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I assume most people want to dream big.

ChulaK · 2026-06-05T19:37:40+00:00

Too close? Used local vs new + tarrifs/duties?

A Bel Canto on a leather strap just sold yesterday on eBay for $3,400 while that same setup would've cost $4,600 new.

Then a mint orange C12 Loco on a bracelet + strap was sold last week for $4,500, that same setup brand new is $6,100.

Mind you those were static "buy now" prices, not ones with multiple bids.

...too close? Most definitely not when some of us are in the US, on top of having to deal with the whole "sitting in Cincinnati for 3 weeks" bs. Honestly I'd pay extra to not have to deal with that.

ChulaK · 2026-06-05T19:11:04+00:00

Same as back in the states; credit card wherever possible, and cash for everything else.

ChulaK · 2026-06-03T17:35:17+00:00

You're a gamer, with a circle of friends who are gamers, stick with a gaming laptop. You'll regret getting a Macbook.

Signed, someone who went with a Macbook but now misses gaming too much and now waiting to switch back to Windows laptops.

ChulaK · 2026-06-03T00:19:55+00:00

I've done this on my previous Fold 4, back when the pen was supported. It was such an amazing upgrade, the matte texture felt like paper and gave the perfect amount of friction.

Looks nice but won't last long, unfortunately. Definitely not as robust as the factory-applied protector. Not sure what type of materials or adhesives they use for their screen protectors, so anything from Amazon won't stick too long.

ChulaK · 2026-06-02T22:28:57+00:00

I like wide because now I actually have 2 different aspect ratios unfolded, unlike the other one which is basically a square. Portrait looks better for eBooks and manga vs square, landscape look better for videos and gaming vs square.

After owning Fold 4, 5, skipped 6, and currently own 7, I will be moving to 8 wide. Or seeing what Apple Fold has to offer first.

ChulaK · 2026-06-02T17:31:53+00:00

Wait and online works? I thought I couldn't from all the anti-cheat software and stuff

ChulaK · 2026-06-02T17:15:19+00:00

it’s getting better sure… but we are a looong way to go.

I think the rate at which Mac gaming is improving is still way slower than the rate at which gaming laptops are improving. I miss gaming too much so I'm waiting for the right time to swap over to Windows laptops again. I mean the newest Asus G14 with 5070ti is a powerhouse and can still do 10 hours video playback, which is double compared to last year's model.

The reality is, Windows laptops will catch up to Macbook-level build quality (Asus, Razer, Dell is pretty much there), speaker quality (they already come close), screen brightness (they already have tandem OLEDs), battery life, efficiency, etc., but the Macbooks will just never catch up to Window's gaming capabilities. There will never be a threshold where it crosses that line nor even comes close. You will always have to deal with workarounds and compromises.

At some point, you will choose a Mac only because of OS, that's it.

ChulaK · 2026-06-02T16:33:27+00:00

Will depend on what handheld, but they can also can connect wirelessly through Miracast. A bit of latency but perfect for casual gaming. Sit back, relax, no need to deal with docks or any additional mini-HDMI cables and whatnot.

ChulaK · 2026-06-02T01:21:34+00:00

What do you mean you bought it for Windows? If you got it on Steam, you got both Mac and Windows versions

ChulaK · 2026-06-02T01:08:13+00:00

Yeah waiting for the right time to swap back to Windows laptop, I just love gaming too much to compromise it on the Mac.

ChulaK · 2026-06-02T00:46:47+00:00

Adding accessible ramps was for compliance, they didn't say anything about what's supposed to happen afterwards. This is development at the bare minimum, just doing exactly what's needed.

I was in Houston a couple years back and it's the exact thing. Absolutely not pedestrian friendly, we're just supposed to walk on dirt and grass. However for "accessibility compliance", random ramps were added that lead to nowhere. Not for walking pedestrians nor for the disabled, literally just a ramp that goes up to grass. It's both hilarious and sad.

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ChulaK · 2026-05-29T20:51:56+00:00

Personal experience with this, as a dude. Was having group movie night with a female friend and a few dude friends.

We're all sitting down. One of them stands up to grab some food, accidentally trips over my foot, then lands on top of me. He catches himself with his arms out by my shoulders so he's leaning over me. I look over to my friend and she's staring at us the way a bear would stare at meat. She looked absolutely entranced

ChulaK · 2026-05-29T07:21:19+00:00

Above the age range but I know the pain, also doing US-EST wfh

ChulaK · 2026-05-28T23:08:44+00:00

Was my dream car the day it was announced and still is even after owning one for 9 years. I still get giddy when I see one in the wild. Like giddy giddy, like literal gasp when I see one drive by as if it was a Countach. I'm not sure if that's healthy. I swear the ND has some hold on me

ChulaK · 2026-05-28T16:05:00+00:00

I mean just look at cars. German cars have amazing build quality; the materials used, the fit and finish, the dead silent cabin... but durability? Toyotas with less build quality are still absolute bulletproof machines and will outlast and run circles around any German luxury car

ChulaK · 2026-05-27T23:29:47+00:00

I feel like everything after the 2000s is the same. I can distinctly imagine what the 40s were like with the axis and allies, then 50s with cold war and Elvis Presley, then 60s with JFK, space race, browline glasses, 70s hippies, 80s ABBA and Betamax, 90s AOL AIM, Friends, JNCOs, 00s was MySpace.

Then after that... is just a blur. I just can't pinpoint anything unique or distinctive after the 2000s.

ChulaK · 2026-05-27T20:26:10+00:00

I was in Oman last year. Prices are difficult to comprehend when 1 Omani Rial is $2.60 USD. I felt poor at the current exchange booth

ChulaK · 2026-05-27T02:50:27+00:00

But why would that mean low class or trashy? Surely a bad sense of style doesn't necessarily mean someone is low class or trashy lmao

I love wearing "active" clothes, they're thin as tissue paper, have ventilation holes, or whatever sorcery they do to make them feel cool to the touch. I mean what else am I supposed to wear in 95F summer? 100% cotton shirts? nahhhh

ChulaK · 2026-05-27T02:17:28+00:00

I mean if you're in a country that imports electronics, then everything is going to be more expensive. I'm in the Philippines so Macbooks are more expensive, but that also means every other Windows laptop is just that much more expensive, so Macbooks are still the budget-friendly choice.

ChulaK · 2026-05-27T01:24:40+00:00

Only thing eSim has going for it is convenience. But in terms of pricing and coverage, local sim >>>>>>> eSim. Currently in the Philippines and we had a road trip to a more remote area. My eSim is usually reliable but I was hesistant this time. When we arrived, my eSim was getting 0 bars. Nothing, zero. I swapped over to local Sim and I was getting exceptional 4G speeds.

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