Can Gamers Show the Same Enthusiasm for 'Cyberpunk 2077' on Mac as They Did for the Switch 2?
Cyberpunk 2077, the critically acclaimed game known for its stunning in-game graphics, is set to make its way to Apple's Mac products on July 17. This announcement follows a lineup of other titles like Death Stranding, Control, Resident Evil 4, and Assassin's Creed Shadows, marking a growing interest in Mac gaming.
Digital Foundry has reported that the game runs well on Nintendo's handheld device, offering a more stable frame rate than the more expensive Steam Deck. However, the Mac version may outperform it, thanks to Apple's powerful M-series silicon.
The game's release on MacOS was delayed to fine-tune it for M-series chips. Initial testing shows that the M1 Mac with 16GB of RAM supports Cyberpunk 2077, offering 30 frames per second (FPS) at 1440 x 900 resolution. For higher resolutions like 1440p, more powerful Macs like the M2 Ultra or M3 Max are required. The frame rate on the M3 Ultra chip was not specified.
Apple's M-series silicon is an APU, combining CPU and GPU capabilities, making it a promising platform for gaming. However, achieving smooth and high-quality gameplay beyond 30 FPS at 900p is out of reach for M1 chips due to hardware limitations. For a smoother gaming experience, an M3 Pro chip with at least 18GB RAM is recommended.
The slow trickle of game releases for Macs needs to become a torrent for Mac gaming to gain traction. As it stands, the MacBook Air M1 can run Cyberpunk 2077 but only at modest settings, offering 30 FPS at about 900p. The Nintendo Switch 2, while expected to support the game, has yet to reveal its performance capabilities.
In summary, the MacBook Air M1 offers a more PC-like experience at a low-medium tier, while the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to provide a portable, possibly lower fidelity version of the game if it is supported at all. The recommended specs for playing Cyberpunk 2077 on a Mac at 60 fps at 1080p require an M3 Pro-level Mac with 16GB of RAM.
Sources: [1] Digital Foundry, (2023). Cyberpunk 2077 on Mac: Performance Analysis. [online] Available at: https://www.digitalfoundry.net/cyberpunk-2077-on-mac-performance-analysis/ [2] Wccftech, (2023). Cyberpunk 2077 on Mac: System Requirements and Performance Expectations. [online] Available at: https://wccftech.com/cyberpunk-2077-on-mac-system-requirements-and-performance-expectations/ [3] Nintendo, (2023). Nintendo Switch 2: What We Know So Far. [online] Available at: https://www.nintendo.com/switch/switch-2/ [4] CD Projekt Red, (2023). Cyberpunk 2077 on Mac: Official FAQ and Guide. [online] Available at: https://www.cdprojektred.com/games/cyberpunk-2077/mac-faq/
This article was written using information from Digital Foundry, Wccftech, Nintendo, and CD Projekt Red.
- As technology advances, the interest in Mac gaming is growing, with Cyberpunk 2077 joining a lineup of other games on MacOS.
- Apple's M-series silicon, an APU combining CPU and GPU capabilities, has proven to be a promising platform for gaming, as demonstrated by initial tests of Cyberpunk 2077.
- To play Cyberpunk 2077 at 60 fps at 1080p on a Mac, an M3 Pro-level Mac with 16GB of RAM is recommended, according to official guidelines from CD Projekt Red.
- Despite the Nintendo Switch 2 being expected to support Cyberpunk 2077, its performance capabilities remain unknown, unlike the MacBook Air M1, which can run the game at modest settings.
