MacBook – Will the Apple MacBook Air run Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

About the graphics of the MBP

The Macbook Pro 13'' uses integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics. But Intel HD 3000 graphics are used in different processors. The performance varies depending on whether it's a mobile or desktop CPU. You need to read benchmarks with caution:

• ULV processors core ix-2xx7 (base freq. 350MHz, turbo 900-1000MHz) (Macbook Air)
• LV processors core ix-2xx5 (base freq. 500MHz, turbo 1000MHz)
• standard dual and quad-core ix-2xx0 (base freq. 650MHz, turbo 1100-1200MHz) (Macbook Pros)
• desktop K processors (base freq. 850, turbo 1100-1350MHz)

Gaming Performance

On notebookcheck.net I've looked up some statistics. They keep benchmarks on how different games perform. I find these real world tests quite useful.

If you follow the link, you can click on the single fps results to see each system configuration.

Conclusion

You should have a minimum of 24-30 fps to enjoy playing. Considering this, I'll say that playing those games on a MBP 13'' of 2011 will possibly work, but not result in the maximum fun :).

The thing is that 100% CPU usage refers to a single one of the cores in your CPU being fully loaded (or an equivalent load distributed among all the cores). I assume your MacBook Pro has a dual core CPU with HyperThreading; that's 2 physical cores plus 2 logical cores exposed by HyperThreading. Thus, you could in theory achieve as high as 400% CPU usage (4 cores times 100% each).

As to whether it is sustainable, in principle it should be, if the cooling system is in order and the cooling vents are not clogged with dust or blocked by any objects. Even if it's not and you reach supposedly dangerous temperatures, the CPU should throttle itself to prevent any damage.