Apple’s newly launched MacBook Neo may not be marketed as a gaming laptop, but that hasn’t stopped curious users from putting it through its paces. In a recent experiment, YouTuber Andrew Tsai tested ten different games on the entry-level MacBook to see how well Apple’s cheapest laptop could handle gaming workloads.
The MacBook Neo is positioned as a budget-friendly Mac, starting at around $599 and is powered by Apple’s A18 Pro chip. This is actually the same processor architecture that was originally developed for high-end iPhones. While the device is primarily aimed at everyday productivity and student use, the test examined whether Apple’s expanding GPU capabilities could make casual gaming possible on the device.
How well does the MacBook Neo handle games?
In the video, Tsai tested a mix of native Mac titles, Windows games running through layers of translation, and emulated games to see how the MacBook Neo handles different gaming scenarios. Results were mixed, although some titles performed better than expected for a budget device.
For example, Cyberpunk 2077 only ran well at 720p with all graphics settings set to the lowest setting, highlighting the limitations of the hardware for demanding AAA games. In contrast, Minecraft performed far better, running between 50 and 300 FPS at 1080p depending on the graphics preset. Performance was far less consistent in games running across translation layers. Counter-Strike 2 was described as “completely unplayable”, while indie title Mewgenics ran almost flawlessly thanks to its simpler 2D design and OpenGL rendering.
Long story short, the experiment showed that the MacBook Neo can handle lighter or well-optimized games quite well, but more demanding titles still require strong compromises in resolution and graphics settings.
Does this mean Macs are finally becoming gaming machines?
Of course, that doesn’t mean that Macs can suddenly replace gaming laptops. Tests like this suggest that Apple’s hardware is increasingly capable of running games, even on entry-level devices like the MacBook Neo. The A18 Pro chip delivers far more graphics performance than typical low-cost laptop processors, which explains why some titles perform better than expected.
Still, the overall picture hasn’t changed much: MacOS gaming remains limited by the availability of native titles and developer support. Although Apple has invested in gaming technology and tools in recent years, most major releases still prioritize Windows PCs and consoles first. However, if the Neo manages to become the big seller Apple wants it to be, we may see more gaming options appearing on Apple devices besides Apple Arcade.
