Sims 3 & Macbook White?

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Sims 3 & Macbook White?

Hi all, I'm a new member here but have been the proud owner of a Macbook white for almost a year now 🙂.

Anyways, the child within me (heh) is pretty psyched for the release of Sims 3 on June 5th.. however I wanted to check compatibility with you guys.

The Spec needs stated on the Sims 3 website are;

FOR MAC OS X
* Mac OS X 10.5.7 Leopard or higher
* Intel Core Duo Processor
* 2 GB RAM
* ATI X1600 or Nvidia 7300 GT with 128 MB of Video RAM, or
* Intel Integrated GMA X3100.
* At least 6.1 GB of hard drive space, with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content and saved games
* This game will not run on PowerPC (G3/G4/G5) based Mac systems, or the GMA 950 class of integrated video cards.

& These are my specs;

Macbook White
Mac OS X 10.5.6
Processor 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 2GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
& My Graphics Chipset is GMA X3100.
(Forgive me if I'm missing anything important here :P)

So therefore.. straight away I have 10.5.6, whereas I need 10.5.7 (or higher)... does this mean theres no hope for me?
& Also my Macbook seems to get extremely hot & the fan begins to blare when I am playing the most simplest games.. for example if I play 'Crazy Taxi' on facebook.. the fan sounds like a rocket about to go!

Thanks for any replies in advance! 🙂 x

Macbook White, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on May 18, 2009 1:15 PM

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Answer 1

Jenni_x Author

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May 18, 2009 1:41 PM in response to Jenni_x

I can't edit my post, but I just realised I can download the 10.5.7 update... the embarrassment.. haha!
But otherwise.. still got questions regarding the graphic compatibility and whether or not my Macbook will be able to handle Sims 3?

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Answer 2

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

May 18, 2009 4:12 PM in response to Jenni_x

As long as you have enough hard drive space, your computer does meet the specs listed there. Do note that playing games often makes the fan run full speed the entire time the game is running.

~Lyssa

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Answer 3

esiders

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May 18, 2009 8:38 PM in response to Jenni_x

you should be able to run it but usually the specs on the software box are the bare minimum.

even though you have 2GBs of RAM, the MacBook doesn't ever have 2GBs available.

it should run, but you might have some hang-ups.

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Answer 4

Jenni_x Author

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May 19, 2009 6:25 AM in response to esiders

Oh okay, so it's a question of finding a balance between the Macbook's specs & good enough settings where the game looks good enough.

If the worst comes to the worst, I do have a Windows Desktop that I could use.. but obviously being able to play it on my Macbook would be awesome for me.

I'm relieved to learn that the PC & Mac version of the disc are the same, so incase of ultimate fail on my Mac, I won't have to shed out another £30 or £40.

Brilliant, thanks! 🙂 x

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Answer 5

May 19, 2009 6:29 AM in response to Jenni_x

I don't think you shold have an issue. The SIMS games have never been graphics heavy weights.

Glor

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Answer 6

May 20, 2009 2:22 AM in response to Jenni_x

Yes!!! It is runing on my MacBook White 2.16 GGz, 2 GB RAM
Happy 😉

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Answer 7

Jackouss

Level 1

5 points

Jun 1, 2009 9:06 AM in response to Jenni_x

Anyone have any ideas how well it will run on the new aluminum Macbooks?

My specs are;

Intel core 2 duo 2.o Ghz
2GB DDR3 RAM
160GB HD
Nvidia GeForce 9400 M

Do you think this system would be capable of running the game well and would it be worth upgrading too 4GB RAM?

Cheers.

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Answer 8

Jun 2, 2009 6:57 PM in response to Jenni_x

Could somebody please help me?
I have pre-ordered the Sims 3 Collectors addition, but I really want to play it on my MacBook.
My MacBook is NOT the aluminium one... it’s white. Here are its specs:
2.2GHz Intel duel core processor
4 GB of memory
Intel GMA X3100 with 144MB of VRAM
I know for a fact that my MacBook will pass these requirements. However, I am concerned about my Graphics Card, as it is Intel. Could somebody please tell me if my Macbook will be able to run the Sims 3 sufficient enough for me to enjoy it without constant freezes etc?
If it helps I have run the Sims 2 on it before without it keeling over.

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Answer 9

Shawnie

Level 1

5 points

Jun 2, 2009 10:01 PM in response to Lyssa

If the fan is running full speed, does it harm the computer/fan? Do you think its worth to get those lap fans that you put under your laptop to cool it?

Also thanks to all that answered, I have a black macbook (not the fancy aluminum with the pretty screen!) and I was confused on whether the game would work.

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Answer 10

Jun 3, 2009 11:09 AM in response to Jenni_x

I just called an Apple store and i asked the guy the smae question. I said I have a white macBook and i want to play The sims 3. Right away he said you cannot play sims 3 on a MacBook the only computers that it would play is on iMac or MacBook Pro because they have an individual graphics card.
Soo I wonder!? he didnt even want to know my Specs

disappointed

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Answer 11

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Jun 3, 2009 11:25 AM in response to Shawnie

It shouldn't do any harm to the machine. Investing in a laptop cooling pad certainly would be a good idea though!

~Lyssa

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Answer 12

Jun 3, 2009 3:48 PM in response to Stephen Kolesaric

I just tried to play the Sims 3 yesterday on my Black Macbook (which seems to have the same specs as the one you listed). The only difference is I only have 2GB of memory, whereas you have 4GB.
When I first started the game, it automatically set my graphics to low. It's definitely "playable", as I can see the characters move freely, but don't expect complete facial expressions at close camera angles.
Too bad we can't change the Macbook's built in (soldered on) video card (GMA X3100), but maxing out the RAMs (4GB) will definitely help the game run smoother.

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Answer 13

analaura

Level 1

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Jun 3, 2009 4:19 PM in response to Jenni_x

how to i know waht GMA i have and what ATI or Nvidia series i have??

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Answer 14

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Jun 3, 2009 4:26 PM in response to analaura

When did you buy your Mac?

If you want to know which graphics chipset you have, follow these instructions:
1) Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner
2) choose "About this Mac"
3) Click the "More info" button
4) In the left-hand column, click Graphics/Displays

This will display information about your graphics chipset. Here's mine:
Intel GMA X3100:

Chipset Model: GMA X3100
Type: Display
Bus: Built-In
VRAM (Total): 144 MB

Hope that helps!

~Lyssa

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Answer 15

Jun 5, 2009 11:44 PM in response to Jenni_x

hi
when im trying to install sims3 on my mac which meets all the system requirements it tells me that dispatcher has failed to initialize
anyone no what that means?

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