The Xeon processor should be good for gaming though it is somewhat of a different class of processor as they tend to be found in servers rather than desktops or laptops. By server, I mean those that handle websites, databases, etc. so their processors tend to be pretty powerful. I would ponder if you'll use Parallels or Bootcamp to get Windows onto the system as most PC games aren't designed for the Mac OS, IIRC.

JB

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Home Desktop: VoodooPC Hexx. AMD Athlon FX-60, 2 GB RAM, 2 x 250 GB HD, 7900 GTX video card. Home Laptop: HP dv4000, Pentium M, 2 GB RAM, 80 GB HD, ATi 700 Radeon Mobility

Well what games are you going to play?

Vlad

For your uses I would suggest a mac. As stated previously go visit an Apple Store. If your worried about having Windows you can always bootcamp it.

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Read the latest DigiYumi cartoon "Kellie Parker Interview" here

Actually, I believe that most of the cards available for the Mac Pro will run games just fine. The only graphics card that I am aware of that Apple offers for the Mac Pro that is NOT considered a "gaming" style card is the nVidia Quardo FX 5600. Both the ATI Radeon HD XT 256 MB (standard card for a Mac Pro) and the nVidia GeForce 8800 GT 512 MB are both "gaming" card, not "workstation" style cards. As such, either of those card will handle some fairly high level games and should easily handle Flight Simulator X.

A Mac Pro still might be overkill potentially unless you are doing some SERIOUS Photoshop work. If you are doing professional, heavy-duty Photoshop work, then a Mac Pro might be worth it.

Regardless, if Flight Simulator is the most advanced game you are playing, then a Mac Pro should be fine for that type of gaming. It should also do rather well for more "advanced" games. I will note, however, that if you primary goal is gaming and everything else is a distant second in terms of use, then a Mac is likely not the best choice and you should likely go with a Windoze PeeCee. You will have a LOT more choices and options for gaming with a Windoze computer.

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[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]

My guess is that that recommendation is more based upon the fact that the Mac Pro does not really gain you much (if anything) in gaming performance over the MacBook Pro, but costs significantly more...not because the Mac Pro is a poor gaming platform. In otherwords, why spend more than $3000 for a Mac Pro (with monitor) compared to a $2500 for a MBP (you would want the upper end 15" at a minimum for the "beefier" graphics card for gaming purposes) when the cheaper computer will likely do just as well for gaming. This all assumes that gaming is the only purpose or at least primary purpose by a wide margin. Frankly, if that is the case, then I would likely recommend NOT going with a Mac at all (as much as that pains me). You can get MUCH more bang for your buck with a Windoze computer for gaming purposes (or even just get a gaming console like a PS3 or Xbox 360 or Wii).

The whole picture changes is the primary use is for Photoshop...especially, heavily duty, professional Photoshop use. If the OP is using Photoshop on large picture files doing a LOT of filters or other big time manipulations, then a Mac Pro can REALLY pay off. The ability to have butt loads of memory is the first big benefit. But, then there is the tons of cores that you can get...I am pretty sure that Photoshop can fully take advantage of multiple cores. And then there is the ability to drive multiple 30" displays if you want/need.

I would agree that an iMac might be a good choice...if the Photoshop use is not off the scale. The more intensive the Photoshop use, the more likely a Mac Pro might be the better choice. But, if the Photoshop use is light to "average" in level, then an iMac might work rather well (ignoring for the moment the glossy screen which could be a major pain in the rear in some situations). And an iMac will be largely very similar in performance gaming wise to a MBP.

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[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]

I agree...RAM can have a BIG effect on Photoshop performance if doing a lot of filters or major manipulations. Photoshop gets a LOT slower if it has to go to a swap file.

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[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]

I will note that I said similar. And I would argue that the link your provided bares that out...especially when you compare the 2.4 GHz iMac to the only MBP in the comparison. In most of the tests, there results are very similar.

I will also note that the comparison shows that a Mac Pro goes from being in the same basic range gaming wise with the older nVidia GeForce 7300 GT (which is not longer offered) to smoking the iMac and MBP when the Mac Pro is equipped with a Radeon X1900 XT (also no longer offered). I am guessing that a new Mac Pro with a nVidia GeForce 8800 GT will smoke those older Mac Pros. The point is that these are some serious gaming cards and it will show in playing games.

I will still stand by my statement that if gaming in the priority, then most likely a person will be better suited with a Windoze computer.

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[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]