Best-performing sim on an Intel Mac?

[Spackles94]

I've figured I might as well bite the bullet and install Windows on my Macbook, since it doesn't look like a dedicated sim is coming out for Mac any time soon. :o

So, obviously, any sim should work just fine — but is there any particular one that works better than any other? What have you Mac users found out so far?

Thanks in advance!

[PaulJet]

I'm running RealFlight G4 on a Macbook with the Intel GMA 3100 video card and runs just fine for me... as long as you run it on Boot Camp. It doesn't do too well on Parallels or VMware Fusion. When you first launch the sim, it will detect your system configuration and automatically adjust the Graphic settings for High Performance. You'll loose a bit of scenery objects, but nothing to stop you from flying. The PhotoReal sceneries run well at around 25-40 fps (frames per second). The 3D sceneries run around 10-20 depending on how busy the airfield is (whether or not it has a bunch of objects like buildings and grass). Don't take my word on the frame rates, it's what I observed the few times I glanced on the NavGuide gadget. You can customize the graphic display to your taste. The only thing I've noticed that really bogs RealFlight down on the Macbook are the trees and grass. One thing to note.. if you decide to go with RealFlight, keep it in Windowed mode.. as soon as you put it on Full Screen, it will bog down the system. I couldn't get it back running normal (in windowed mode) until I deleted the RealFlight.ini configuration file to reset the settings.

You can try out the RealFlight demo and see how it will run on your computer... http://www.realflight.com/free-g4-demo.html

There are also a number of other sims you can demo for free. Search around. I haven't really had time to play around with any of the other sims. I also have Aerofly Pro, but haven't installed it on my Macbook. I can tell you that I had it on a 3 year old Windows laptop with an ATI Xpress 200m... it ran Aerofly smooth as silk and struggled with RealFlight. So you shouldn't have any problems with running Aerofly Pro.

[Spackles94]

Paul,

Thanks for the info! Yeah, that's what I'm leaning toward — either RF 3.5 or 4. I'll see if I can justify the newer, pricier version. ;)

I'm going to look around for a copy of Windows that I used to have — it's gotta be somewhere, I never throw anything away. :D I'll give the demo a whirl and see what's up.

Glad to hear it runs well on a Macbook. I was hoping I didn't need the extra juice from the MB Pro.

No biggie on the trees bogging it down. I'm not a fan of trees anyway! ;) :D

[Stan Peterson]

Phoenix also runs very well on my Macbook under bootcamp.

I did hear that someone had it running under Parallels too, but don't know the details.

demo at www.phoenix-sim.com/demo.htm

[bilboa]

Intel Macs are basically just PCs when booted into Windows, so any of the sims will run the same as on a similar spec PC. Just keep in mind that some of the Macs, specifically the Mac Mini, Macbook, and Macbook Air, come with graphics cards that are marginal for running high end sims; the sims will work but you'll probably have to turn down some of the quality settings. The MacBook Pro and any of the desktop Macs other than the Mini will run any sim just fine at full quality. I run Phoenix on my Macbook Pro and it runs great at full quality settings.

[Spackles94]

Yeah, I do design work on my MacBook, and sometimes it does run a bit slow, but it does the job just fine. I've got to get a MacBook Pro some time soon since I'm outgrowing this one for the stuff I've been working on lately, so when I do, it should run sims even better, too. :)

I've got a GMA 950 with 64Mbs of VRAM, BTW.

If possible, I'd like to use RealFlight. Pricey, but it seems to be worth the price. But I'll test all the demos beforehand.

FS One does seem to be a good value now, though, at $80 without the controller. And I'm a JR/Spektrum guy, anyway. :)

[Gino CP]

I use RC Helicopter Simulator for my PowerPC iBook G4. It is not the best sim out there in terms of graphics and features but I managed to tweak it to fly like my 450 (bog and all LOL).

I'm still envious with the Windows crowd. But with the release of the Intel Macs, there is absolutely no hope for OS X.

[PaulJet]

I forgot to mention that my Macbook has 4GB of RAM.. I don't think it would make a difference graphic performance wise.. but it sure makes loading times go by a whole lot quicker!

[Spackles94]

I think I'm going with RealFlight then. :)

Now I just need to put Windows on it. Can you actually do that on an external FireWire drive? I don't think you can, but I just wanted to double-check...

Thanks for all the help, everyone!

[PaulJet]

It is possible to install Windows on a external drive. Follow these instructions: http://guides.macrumors.com/Boot_Camp_Windows_XP_On_External_Drive

There's more info about it if you search on Google.

[Spackles94]

Wow... it had me at "remove the internal hard drive." :eek: I'm sure it's not hard, but I might just go the easy (yet less preferable) route and just install on the existing hard drive.

I just need to delete a lot of plane videos and photos before I do so, otherwise I'm out of room. :D

Thanks for all the help, Paul -- I really appreciate it!

[bilboa]

Make sure to try the demos of the sims before plunking down your money. PaulJet said he gets 25-40 FPS with RealFlight on a MacBook with the photo sceneries, and only 10 to 20 FPS with 3D fields. Personally, I find 10 to 20 FPS completely unusable, 25 FPS to be almost unusable because it gives me a headache to look at, and 40 FPS looks marginal to me still, though I know some people say it looks fine to them. Given that 3D rendered fields are one of the main distinguishing features of RealFlight, and they'd be basically unusable on your computer, RealFlight might not be a good choice for you until you upgrade your computer. Some lower end sims, like Clearview, would run at a much higher framerate on your computer and so might be preferable even if they're not quite as good a sim. Also Phoenix RC is a little less demanding on hardware and so might run faster with your graphics card.

[Carl Petersen]

Just for reference I'm running FS One via Boot Camp on a 2.8GHz iMac. Runs very well and is currently on sale for $99 with transmitter. Hard to beat that price for one of the best sims out there. (recent upgrade to version 1.1)

[Spackles94]

Well, I bit the bullet. :)

I got RealFlight G4 yesterday, installed it today... It works like a champ on my MacBook! :D :D I didn't get but 15 minutes' worth of playing time with it this afternoon, but everything seems to be really fast, precise, and it looks great! I have much tinkering to do with it, but I'm really happy with how it's working so far. What a fine piece of software -- even if it runs on Windows. ;)

Thanks for all the help, everyone! I'll keep y'all informed on the progress. :)

[BillTampa]

I am encouraged by your notes about success with G4 on a MacBook and Pro. I have just installed Parallels, Windows and RealFlight G4.5 on my brand new MacBook Pro with the fancy new graphics card and 4 GB of Ram. Ought to work great, but...

I can't get Real Flight to see the controller. It accepted the serial numbers but when you start the software it gives us the message "No authorized Interlink found. Make sure your Interlink Elite is plugged in and try again."

Is anyone familiar with this message? I will try Great Planes, but fear I may get the dreaded "we don't support that" reply due to the Mac platform.

My son has waited patiently while we worked through that the old PC he had would not run this new version, then waited while I was out of town for a week. He deserves a break but I have been at it for hours and am stumped. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Gino CP]

How much space do I need to install Windows XP Sp2 and a sim? I want my Windows partition to be as small as possible. Just enough to run most sims. can the partition be increased later on? I have a 120gb hdd on my Macbook late 2007.

[Spackles94]

How much space do I need to install Windows XP Sp2 and a sim? I want my Windows partition to be as small as possible. Just enough to run most sims. can the partition be increased later on? I have a 120gb hdd on my Macbook late 2007.

I think you can do on 7-8 GB. My partition is about 12GB, and I have about 5 GB left on it. All I have there is Window$ and RealFlight.

So you can do the math. :p

[FrogChief]

Any Apple laptop / desktop built since 2006 is nothing but a standard PC built on an intel Core2 duo / Centrino / Centrino 2 platform.

The only thing that makes a 'Mac' a Mac is the shiny plastic/metal shell and the Apple flavored version of BSD known as OSX.

Once windows is installed (XP/Vista/Win7) you'll then have full DirectX support and can run any sim you like.

[Gino CP]

What format can I use for an 8gb Windows partition? FAT or NTFS?