If you’re a gamer who prefers using a MacBook for gaming, you may have noticed that the performance is not always optimal. However, there are a few steps that you can take to optimize your Mac for gaming. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of improving the performance of your MacBook for gaming.
First, open your Activity Monitor by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in your menu bar and searching for Activity Monitor. This will show you which applications and processes are running on your Mac and how much of your CPU and GPU resources they are using. Ideally, you should minimize the number of resource-intensive apps running on your Mac, including your browser, such as Google Chrome, Discord, Teams, and Zoom. You can use the Command and Tab shortcut to see a list of applications that are still running on your system, and then use the Command and Q shortcut to force quit the application. Alternatively, you can also click on the Apple icon in your menu bar and select Force Quit.
Next, make sure that you have enough available disk space on your system. Having low storage space left can cause lag and other issues while gaming. To check your storage usage, click on the Apple icon and select About This Mac. In the Storage section, you can see how much is being used up by your apps, photos, operating system, time machine, and more. To free up some storage quickly, you can empty your bin, uninstall unneeded applications, and delete watched movies in iTunes.
After making sure that your system is optimized, navigate to Displays in your System Preferences. If your Mac is connected to an external monitor, make sure that your display settings are optimized for the display you’re intending to use. Set the Resolution option to Default for Display, and set the Refresh Rate option to the highest available refresh rate.
Then, check to make sure that you’re running the latest MacOS version by clicking on Software Update in your main settings. Click on Update Now, which will take some time to download the latest update, and you will be prompted to restart your Mac. Restarting your system will also improve your overall performance while gaming.
If you want to play games that require a network connection, such as PVP, FPS games, or an MMO, test your network connection on speedtest.net or fast.com. Both sites are great tools to quickly preview your average upload and download speed, as well as your server latency. If you’re experiencing a fluctuating download speed or if your latency is over 100ms, then you should make a few changes to your network connection. Try to use an ethernet cable instead of a WiFi connection, and restart your router or modem if you haven’t done this in a while. Also, disable any VPN connection that you might be using, as it can induce lag while trying to play games online.
Finally, optimize your in-game settings, including adjusting your display resolution, playing in fullscreen mode, and potentially lowering your details and effects settings. More tips and information regarding gaming on MacOS can be found in our extensive guide.
By following these steps, you can optimize your MacBook for gaming and enjoy a smoother gaming experience.