Macbook Pro for Games Design

Hello, I'm considering a Macbook Pro 15" or 17" for University.
I'm studying Computer Games Design for 3 years, this includes Graphic Intensive work on Photoshop, Maya, 3DS Max and Importing models into Unreal Engine for level creation etc.

Do you think a Macbook Pro would be suitable for these tasks?
Otherwise I'm going straight with a PC Laptop, as well over the majority of games are made on PC platforms. I was just interested in the MBP for the Battery life, OS X and all the little quality features it has.

Also would just like to know, how is the battery life on the MBP whilst running in Windows 7?

Thanks in Advance!

 

i believe the games development will be most of the times in windows platform. the advantage of going for the windows platform is compatibility between computer systems. you'll also need a good gpu. i wouldn't advise you to go for a mac. you could go for better gpu's since your field will require that. hope it helps.

 

Yeah, I can't say a Mac would really be a good idea, especially since it sounds like you might need a special or high end GPU. I would head over to the "What Notebook Should I Buy?" forum and fill out the FORM. Everyone could help you pick out the best possible laptop for you.

 

I'd recommend you look at the Asus or Sager line of laptops for your needs.

The GPU bottleneck and the inability to use 3d modelling programs in OSX properly is going to you off with the mac laptops. (yes, you have bootcamp, but from what I'm hearing, the results you get are lack luster compared to a PC similarly speced.)

 

since you seems to mostly plan to use your notebook on windows side.

i'm not going to suggest you get a mac.

get something like HP elitebook, or lenovo thinkpad.
the envy 15 with core i7 is another tempting option. not too sure how it goes in term of reliability though.

 

ehhh... macbook pro not so much

1. your workflow will be all over the place if you try and use osx for maya / photoshop and windows for UE/3dsmax

2. if you use windows for everything, you might as well get a laptop with some better internals. you could almost get away with a mbp, but for the UE especially- you basically want as fast as a machine as you can get.

 

MBP would be at the bottom of my list. look for something with a faster processor and if it is within budget a workstation video card ( fireGL or Quadro)

 

I'd have to agree with these folks. I am a proud owner of a 2009 Mac Pro which I use for 3D rendering, animation, web design, CAD (windows VMware), and all the adobes and i love it. It is nothing shy of amazing power and reliability. If you want and need the mobility then I do advise a PC based notebook.

I just ordered a notebook which I have been researching for the past few weeks. With a $1500.00 budget I needed the very best bang for my buck while getting a well built machine. I was back and forth with the Asus G51J, Sager NP8662, and Alienware M15x.

The Asus is cheaper with great components. The screen is a problem for true design. The machine heats up hardcore so if you plan on rendering you will experience this and probably a lot of heartache.

The Sager is not "core i-7" which is a huge boost...HUGE boost to the field of study you are in. My Mac Pro has dual quad core nehalem and I will never go back to the old Quad core or Duo core.

The Alienware is expensive. It is the same price as the G51J, but it lacks 1GB of ram, the GTX 260m, and the extra HDD. However, the cooling system is MUCH better and the screen is fantastic.

I got the M15x because I was offered the GPU (260m) for free with my purchase. I can deal with 3gb of ram since I just need mobility and nothing hardcore rendering or developing. It is always upgradeable. The cooling is much better. I need a high quality screen for what I do.

I hope this helps you with your decision. Good luck!