I'm considering purchasing a MacBook Pro, but a major issue for me is whether or not it has the computing power to support graphics-intensive applications. Specifically, the two most graphically intense applications I'd be doing are Final Cut Pro video editing (approx. 60 min vids) and playing Diablo 3. Since D3 is the more graphically challenging player here, I'll use it as the baseline. My current MacBook Pro (either 2009 or 2010) struggles with this game to be playable, so I'm a bit skeptical to trust the minimum system requirements for D3 since my current machine meets them:
- Mac OS X 10.6.8, 10.7.x, or newer
- Intel Core 2 Duo (or better)
- NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT or ATI Radeon HD 2600 (or better)
- 2 GB RAM
- 12 GB Available Disk Space
- DVD-ROM drive
- Video Settings reaching minimum resolution of 1024×768
Getting the obvious out of the way, I can see by looking at MacBook Pro specs comparison that I need to have at the very minimum a 15" or 17" model, since the 13" does not have a separate high-performance graphics card. Additionally, I know that the 15" and 17" both have plenty of RAM and CPU power. The problem is, I have no idea where the MacBook's AMD Radeon HD 6750M/6770M stand against the technical specs.
Would the MacBook Pro be able to reasonably support these use cases (Final Cut Pro and Diablo 3)? I define "reasonably" as: no choppy frame rate, responsive interaction, and not having to be set the game at the absolute minimum specs just to play (also, the computer not becoming as hot as the sun would be a bonus, but not a deal-breaker).
Best Answer
I don't have a recent MBP, but in my experience the applications should run well.
For games, I suggest to look at youtube videos. For example, Diablo 3 Beta Gameplay MacBook Pro.
You can find a good comparison of the graphics chips here: Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro (Late 2011) Review
If you have time, I would wait about one month (until June/July 2012); the chances for new MacBook Pros being released are high.