I currently use a MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro alongside a gaming PC equipped with a Ryzen 7 processor, RTX 5080, and 32GB of RAM. Although the PC is powerful, I barely use it—I have probably played only around 20 hours in the past year. I dislike using Windows and usually return to my MacBook connected to my Studio Display XDR for everyday tasks.
I had planned to buy a future high-end MacBook, but I am also considering selling the gaming PC and buying a Mac Studio instead. I would still like the option to play some Sony PC releases and occasional AAA games in the future, although gaming is not my main use case. I understand that macOS has a smaller game library and that running Windows through virtualization is not ideal.
An M5 Ultra Mac Studio might offer performance closer to my RTX 5080, but it would be a significant stretch financially. An M5 Max would be more affordable and might leave enough money for an iPad Pro. My normal workload is light: web browsing, email, compressing videos, and archiving files. I do not edit professionally or run local AI workloads.
Would it make more sense to keep the gaming PC despite barely using it, or replace it with a Mac Studio? If I choose the Mac Studio, would an M5 Max be the sensible option, or is the Ultra worth considering? How practical would gaming be on either configuration?
4 Answers
Your everyday tasks do not come close to challenging the M1 Pro, so there is no performance reason to buy an Ultra. If you prefer macOS and rarely game, a lower-spec Mac Studio—or even continuing with your current MacBook—would be much more rational. Spending several thousand dollars on an Ultra mainly for occasional gaming would be difficult to justify. If you want guaranteed access to games, a reasonably priced console alongside a Mac may cover your needs better.
If gaming matters at all, do not buy a Mac expecting it to match an RTX 5080. Even if some specialized benchmarks are competitive, actual gaming depends heavily on game support, graphics APIs, drivers, and whether the title runs natively. The available library is also much smaller. You could install Windows or use a virtual machine, but that adds compromises and is not a reliable substitute for the PC.
I would mainly want to play a few Sony PC releases and occasional AAA games. I am willing to consider Windows on the Mac, although I realize virtualization may perform poorly.
Some workloads can make Apple silicon look very competitive, but those results do not translate directly into broad Windows gaming performance. Game compatibility is just as important as raw benchmark numbers.
Before selling the PC, consider changing its operating system instead. Linux can provide a more Unix-like desktop experience while preserving the RTX 5080's gaming performance. Chrome and Firefox work well, and many common applications have Linux versions or web alternatives. There is a learning curve, but you can test it on a separate drive or use a dual-boot setup without giving up Windows immediately.
That could be a useful compromise. I have never used Linux, so I would need to check whether its applications and workflow would feel close enough to macOS for daily use.
If you do not need the money, keeping the PC is the safest option. It already gives you excellent gaming performance, while the MacBook handles everything you actually do. You could keep the PC available for the occasional game and avoid spending money on an overpowered Mac. If the unused hardware bothers you enough, selling it is reasonable—but buy the Mac for the macOS experience, not for gaming performance.
Cloud gaming services are another option if your connection is reliable, but they may not appeal to you if you prefer owning the hardware and games rather than paying for a subscription.
My main goal is not gaming. I just want a Mac that leaves the door open to playing something occasionally in the future.