Why Aren't Macs Mentioned in the Upper Echelon of Gaming PCs?

When most people think of gaming PCs, Windows desktop computers and laptops, like the Alienware Aurora R16, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9, the HP Omen 25L or the Corsair ONE i500, often spring to mind. Very few people think of macOS PCs.

Consoles such as the Xbox or PlayStation and even handheld gaming PCs are typically considered better for gamers than Mac computers.

Let's dive straight in and take a closer look at why macOS computers aren't typically mentioned in the upper echelons of gaming PCs, especially among seasoned pros who take gaming seriously.

Is gaming on a Mac device any good in 2025?

In short, gaming on a macOS desktop computer or laptop isn't as terrible as you may have heard. Although it's not traditionally known as the best platform for playing, gaming on Mac computers has become much better in recent years and increasingly more viable.

However, for the foreseeable future, gaming on a Mac will be considered nowhere near as good as gaming on a Windows-operating desktop or laptop computer, especially on Windows PCs that have been specifically designed with gaming in mind.

Additionally, the number of exclusive games available on Mac devices is still somewhat limited compared to how many titles are available on the Microsoft Windows platform.

To sum up, the overall experience is still much better on a Windows PC, and they are typically more affordable than most Macs.

Can I play any high-end games on macOS computers?

Yes. These days, people can use their Mac PC to play a growing number of high-end, triple-a games on their macOS computers.

Mac users can also now play online bingo, feature-rich online slots, traditional table & card games, and highly sophisticated live dealer TV game shows on a handful of legally permitted iGaming sites, as well as puzzlers, social games, First-Person Shooter games, role-playing games, and so much more.

In recent years, Apple has focused on improving its gaming services by releasing ground-breaking new technologies to handle even the most high-end, graphically demanding video games, such as the M-series chips and Crossover compatibility tool.

The latest M-series chips offer improved performance, and the Crossover tool enables Mac users to play Windows games. In other words, a Mac computer is a good choice for gamers, and there are games to suit all types of players and skill levels.

The Apple Arcade subscription service for gamers grows its library, giving Mac users even more games to choose from and something to look forward to each week.

What are the best games I can play on Mac in 2025?

You may be surprised to learn that the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) is now capable of running many of the gaming industry's biggest titles, and the good news is that you will have just as fun a gaming experience as you would playing on a top-of-the-range Windows PC.

If you already have a Mac PC and want to play hit titles today, some of the most famous games to try first are the following (in no particular order of importance):

1. Stardew Valley
2. Death Stranding: Director's Cut
3. Lies of P
4. The Sims 4
5. Stellaris
6. Frostpunk 2
7. Hades 2
8. Balatro
9. Baldur's Gate 3
10. Resident Evil 4

If you enjoy playing any of these great games on your macOS device and want more similar suggestions, don't forget to check out Disco Elysium, Final Fantasy XIV, Hades, and Lies of P.

Final thoughts

To sum up, although Mac PCs are often not the first choice for gamers, they are rapidly getting a much better reputation among the gaming community. Therefore, over the coming years, we may see macOS computers becoming a dominant force in the hardware sector of the gaming world.

Apple is constantly looking for ways to improve its gaming platform and services for PC users, but it's doubtful that it will overtake Windows any time soon, although the gap between both platforms is unquestionably narrowing.

For now, Windows remains the more viable gaming option. Still, with newer chips allowing for improved performance, an ever-growing library of games, and much better design and portability, Mac PCs are becoming a better choice for PC gamers than they were just a few short years ago.