M5 MacBook Pro tests show Apple may be closing the gap on gaming

Apple’s new M5 Max MacBook Pro has shown significant improvements in gaming performance, suggesting the company is addressing one of its long-standing weaknesses. For years, Macs have struggled to run demanding games, particularly those designed for Windows. Recent tests by technology reviewer Andrew Tsai indicate that the latest model can now run a wide variety of AAA titles with surprising fluidity, even through compatibility layers such as CrossOver.

The M5 Max chip offers notable upgrades to both CPU and GPU performance compared with the previous generation. In some scenarios, its GPU has been compared to mid- to high-end laptop graphics cards, such as the RTX 5070. Combined with Apple’s unified memory architecture and enhanced GPU efficiency, the new MacBook Pro can handle intensive workloads more effectively than before. These gains are particularly evident when running applications that are not natively optimised for macOS.

Gaming tests reveal strong results

According to Tsai’s tests, the M5 Max MacBook Pro successfully ran 20 Windows games using CrossOver, achieving stable frame rates across multiple demanding titles. Games like Death Stranding 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and Black Myth: Wukong reached around 50 frames per second at 1440p on medium settings. Wolfenstein Youngblood ran at 60 frames per second at 4K resolution, while Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 managed more than 80 frames per second at 1440p on high settings.

While not every game performed flawlessly, the results demonstrate that the M5 Max can effectively manage resource-intensive titles through emulation. This is a significant step forward for Macs, which were previously considered unsuitable for serious gaming. The performance improvements underline the M5 Max’s ability to “brute-force” demanding workloads that were previously impossible on Apple devices, expanding the potential for creative and professional users who also enjoy gaming.

Implications for the future of Mac gaming

Despite these advances, Macs are not yet on par with Windows laptops equipped with dedicated GPUs. Some games remain incompatible, and the effectiveness of emulation layers still influences performance. Nevertheless, the progress made with the M5 Max suggests that Apple is gradually closing the gap, making previously unplayable titles more accessible to Mac users.

The significance of this development extends beyond gaming. Successfully running Windows games on a Mac demonstrates the potential for improved native support and a stronger macOS gaming ecosystem in the future. Analysts and reviewers suggest that these improvements could encourage developers to invest more in optimising titles for macOS, potentially transforming the platform from a work-focused device to a more versatile system capable of handling both professional and leisure applications.

Apple has not officially marketed the M5 Max MacBook Pro as a gaming machine. Still, early tests suggest it may finally be viable for users who want to combine creative work with gaming. If the trend continues, the new chip could represent a turning point for the company’s hardware strategy and the wider Mac ecosystem.