FFXIV Demo on M1 Macbook Air BASE config 256 GB 7 Core GPU

I've seen this question floating about and with the recent sales I was able to get a license and put my Macbook Air through its paces in the game.

This is with the Mac Client.

In short, depending on your expectations of a integrated GPU and a fanless notebook, you'll either be impressed or disappointed, but it is viable in a pinch. Although I wouldn't recommend it as your main rig obviously, it's a nice sidekick for travel and crafting/low key activities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fupyy30NhLQ

Or buy a pc laptop for the same money and better performance...

You absolutely could, But some people like to travel light or walk about 2 miles a day in college and it's definitely awesome for that if your main rig is back home but you have downtime at a cafe or break room between classes.

There's another scenario where this excels as it turns out. During relic grinds for fate farming or generally mindless activities, since the notebook is fanless you can hop into bed with one and position yourself in more comfortable positions since because it's fanless you don't have to get a bed desk or a flat surface so the fans can pick up air and it doesn't overheat the machine. This is a boon for relic grinds and stuff like that.

However, this is not a post encouraging people to buy this machine for the express purpose of playing FFXIV, it is information for those who happen to have one and are wondering whether it can run the game.

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Originally Posted by Ath192

You absolutely could, But some people like to travel light or walk about 2 miles a day in college and it's definitely awesome for that if your main rig is back home but you have downtime at a cafe or break room between classes.

There's another scenario where this excels as it turns out. During relic grinds for fate farming or generally mindless activities, since the notebook is fanless you can hop into bed with one and position yourself in more comfortable positions since because it's fanless you don't have to get a bed desk or a flat surface so the fans can pick up air and it doesn't overheat the machine. This is a boon for relic grinds and stuff like that.

However, this is not a post encouraging people to buy this machine for the express purpose of playing FFXIV, it is information for those who happen to have one and are wondering whether it can run the game.

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Using it on a bed, or any soft insulating surface really isn't ideal imo. Despite what you've been told, the M1 does run hot, hot enough to throttle under high CPU/GPU loads. This is very well documented via 3rd party benchmarks and a whole cottage industry has popped up with extra large heatsinks, and thermal pads that go between said heatsink and the laptops rear case to increase heat explulsion. Being fanless it must rely on the heatsink, and conduction to the laptops surfaces to expel extra heat. Covering up those surfaces by setting it on a blanket or other surface will result in excessive heat buildup and thermal throttling, which in turn will reduce performance and potentially shorten component lifespan (The battery in particular, some Macbooks have suffered battery swelling issues from excessive heat). Not tryin to rain on yer parade, just sayin you should get a little board, or flat surface to set it on when using it such. Being fanless does not mean the machine doesn't need airflow around the case, actually it needs more. (Previous and current owner of several model Macbooks)

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Originally Posted by Arrhin

Using it on a bed, or any soft insulating surface really isn't ideal imo. Despite what you've been told, the M1 does run hot, hot enough to throttle under high CPU/GPU loads. This is very well documented via 3rd party benchmarks and a whole cottage industry has popped up with extra large heatsinks, and thermal pads that go between said heatsink and the laptops rear case to increase heat explulsion. Being fanless it must rely on the heatsink, and conduction to the laptops surfaces to expel extra heat. Covering up those surfaces by setting it on a blanket or other surface will result in excessive heat buildup and thermal throttling, which in turn will reduce performance and potentially shorten component lifespan (The battery in particular, some Macbooks have suffered battery swelling issues from excessive heat). Not tryin to rain on yer parade, just sayin you should get a little board, or flat surface to set it on when using it such. Being fanless does not mean the machine doesn't need airflow around the case, actually it needs more. (Previous and current owner of several model Macbooks)

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Haven't had it throttle in bed yet! but thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind if the temps get too hot.

Love seeing stuff like this, thanks for the time spent to make the video, you are spot on - I can see this having uses as a non daily driver. Was impressed by the 24 man performance!

I have a Mac mini M1 base model. It works great for this game. I was going to get the iMac but the specs on the m1 and the iMac are the same. I wanted a bigger screen. I am running a 32” and have no issues.

No I can’t run max settings…. Well if you are ok with 14FPS then you can run max. I’m running at midge settings and getting 32-70ish FPS depending on the location and number of players.

The only issues I have and they are not game related is that sometimes it opens the game up in a letter box like format but where the game looks squished. It’s annoying and requires a system restart. My guess is this will be fixed in the future by either the game programmers or Apple themselves. Apple has stated that this problem does exist and is related to the integrated graphics while using none m1 optimized software. (Basically every major program and game…. For now)

I’ll be getting a much better gaming rig soon, but having just gotten a real job again, I was only able to afford a Mac mini. I didn’t buy the comp for this game but more for a little computer for the kitchen. Right now it’s my main comp unless you count my gaming laptop from 2008…. I don’t.

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Originally Posted by DeaconMoore

Or buy a pc laptop for the same money and better performance...

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I don't think OP made this thread to turn into a PC vs Apple fanboy war.
It's not relevant that a windows pc would be better money spent, moreso a showcase the game is playable on M1 chipset

Don't listen to the naysayers I prefer PC but coll you took the time to inform ppl

Mean cool on mobile not sure how to edit