by Marc Zimmerman

Created on: August 15, 2009

Being a PC Gamer, I obviously would choose a PC computer over a Mac in terms of gaming capabilities any day. If you take time to compare the specs of an Apple iMac desktop to an average gaming computer, you would find, much to your surprise, that the average high-end gaming PC is much stronger and better for gaming than anything Apple has to offer. The average Apple iMac comes equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz processor, which is not very fast compared to what's out there on the market, with the ability to expand it to a 3.06GHz processor for an extra cost.

Core 2 Duos are fairly decent processors, being that they have 2 processors working together instead of 1, but compared to the new Quad Cores and Intel i7s, the Core Duo just doesn't stand a chance, unless overclocked to insanely high numbers (which would also require a complete system re-do). The iMac also comes equipped with a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics card with only 356mb of memory; the word "9400M" means that it is a mobile graphics card, which is less powerful and commonly found in laptops. Now, you may think that 256mb is a lot just for graphics memory, but if you plan on playing a flight simulator such as FSX, or games such as Call of Duty and Crysis, you should aim for at least a 512mb graphics card, such as the 8800GT (which is what I currently use).

If you really want to deck out your system, you can put dual graphics cards in (if it's SLI enabled), for twice the video memory. You probably won't be able to do this with a Mac unless you have some skill with taking apart components and rebuilding the computer. Of course there is the option to have an ATI Radeon HD 4850 512mb GDDR3 graphics card put in, at an extra cost, but even that can't compete with most of the new systems and upgrades available for PCs nowadays. In truth, a Mac is just a bit too expensive, and not quite good enough to perform up to par with its hefty price of around $2,000 or more. If you're looking for a computer that is truely built for gaming, with that sole purpose in mind, do not stray off the path of buying a PC, as they can be upgraded with ease as new components arrive on the market, and allow you to save some money in the process of buying.

I would suggest something such as a Gateway FX series desktop (I use one) or a Dell XPS 720 or 630, both of which you can fully customize to meet your needs in both price and performance. If you're looking for something to edit photos with, then you can consider a Mac, but as far as gaming capabilities go, the iMac simply can't stay up to date with the new computers being built today. If you use a Mac, and find that it works just fine, then good for you, but if you just can't afford to waste money on unnecessary components and features, steer clear of Macs and aim for a cheap, yet customizable desktop with at least 3GB of RAM, a Quad Core Processor (preferably), and anywhere from 512mb to 2GB of video memory if you really wish to dominate the playing field. In conclusion, if you really want a Mac, to use for casual to medium-level gaming, then go for it. But, if you want a computer that will last and stay up to par with the other guys out there, then go for a PC that is specifically meant for gaming and nothing else.

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