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Macbook Pro Retina and X-Plane


AgreMeister
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Not sure if you guys are going to know much about this or not, But I'm curious as to how well the Retina Macbook Pro can actually play X-Plane. My current laptop is getting on in age, and I have a older iMac that plays X-Plane decently, but can't really handle the newer planes like the Saab 340 in a way that I think makes it worth getting them.

 

As such, I need a new laptop anyway, so I'm considering the Retina Macbook pro 15". Figuring that I could essentially use the higher-end model as both a gaming computer and a laptop in one, how well would it play X-Plane? Specs are as follows:

 

2.6 Ghz Intel i7 Quad-Core with Turbo-Boost to 3.8Ghz

16GB DDR3 Ram

Intel Iris Pro graphics

Nvidia GT750M with 2GB Vram

 

Figuring that I could spend $1,500 on a 13" Macbook Pro and similar money for a decent gaming computer, I thought I would at least consider this with how nice it would be to just be able to bring it everywhere.

 

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I have this exact setup, and it does run X-Plane 10 quite good. That said, remember that the laptop has a harder time dissipating heat than something like an iMac would, so you're going to have a hot laptop and a lot of fan noise going on at the same time.

 

If you want me to test specific settings in a specific area, let me know and I can give you the performance spec on it. No telling how quick I'll be, but I'll try to help you out. :)

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Well I guess what I want to know is how well do things like the Saab 340 or CRJ work in conjunction with a detailed scenery package? And at what kind of graphics settings?

 

I don't mind noise, I generally play with headphones anyway. As long as the laptop isn't getting dangerously hot I have no problem with that. Essentially, I want to know how great the penalty is in power compared to say a $1,500 gaming computer to really decide if the gain in portability is worth it.

 

Anyway thanks for the quick reply cameron, I really appreciate it. :)

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have the 2.6 GHZ one (but not retina) Its amazing for x-plane. The only problem I have with it is it tends to get a little hot when running x plane. (Macs Fan Control says the Processor gets to around 201 Degrees Fahrenheit) And the casing gets very warm. I recently cleaned out all the vents which seems to help.

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  • 1 month later...

Hi guys   

 

Just joined x-pilot and am interested in buying a preferably Mac laptop that will run x-plane 10 reasonably well. I know it's ambitious but would like to eventually expand to 2 or 3 additional monitors. Any advice is much appreciated.  I retired 10 years ago as a 737 pilot, sim instructor/check airman and many years before that as a DC 3/4 pilot/instructor. I've enjoyed FSX and recently x-plane 10 as a way to keep some flying skills alive and have some fun without the hassles.  Cheers.

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I fly on a 15" MacBook Pro Retina, 2.7GHz Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M w/1024MB VRAM.  I'd rather have smooth flight than crazy visuals so I don't turn up the rendering options a lot.  It flies fine.  

 

If you're considering additional monitors, I'd recommend a desktop Mac Pro.  Or maybe even an iMac.  I haven't tried more than one additional monitor with this particular machine. It does fine running a 26" LaCie monitor. 

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