Hardware (GK)
There was a time when Macs boasted superior gaming hardware. Unlike DOS-based PCs, every Mac came with onboard video hardware and audio. PC users were long limited to simple bloop-bloop sounds, but Mac gamers could hear more elaborate effects. That advantage soon evaporated as the PCs raced ahead, and the gap has been widening ever since, in favor of the PC.
With the resurgence of the Mac, that trend is finally reversing; you are reading this at the dawn of a golden era of Macintosh gaming hardware. We still lack the copious choices and gee-whiz gadgetry our PC cousins take for granted, but it's a start—one that positions us to play all the newest games.
Video Cards
The most basic form of gaming hardware is the video card. It wasn't so long ago that 3D graphics cards were only for hard-core gamers. Now they're mandatory.
Owners of Macs without AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slots have only a few choices. Although graphics-card pioneer 3dfx has been devoured by nVidia, its strongest competition, the former company's last Mac products are still sparsely available. The technology is a bit out of date by the blisteringly fast standard of gaming hardware, but you could do worse than the 3dfx Voodoo5 5500 PCI ($129.99; www.outpost.com). A warning: There is no guarantee that nVidia will support the drivers for this card or update them for compatibility with future Mac operating systems, so caveat emptor.
A better bet for PCI-only Macs is the Radeon 32MB PCI ($199.95; ATI, www.outpost.com). This outstanding card offers fantastic performance and will likely be the last PCI graphics card you'll ever need. It'll cost you more than the Voodoo5, but its future is more assured.
Buyers of new Macs, however, are the lucky ones. If your Mac has an AGP slot, the world is your oyster. Basic Power Mac G4s and iMacs come with the still potent ATI Rage 128 graphics card. For a bit more money, however, you can have your new Power Mac G4 built with the latest in 3D acceleration. You can choose from the economical nVidia GeForce2 MX ($100; Build-to-Order from Apple, www.apple.com/games/hardware/), the ATI Radeon ($100; Build-to-Order from Apple), or the state-of-the-art nVidia GeForce 3 ($450; Build-to-Order from Apple).
If you already own an AGP-based Mac, you can purchase the ATI Radeon AGP ($199.95; ATI technologies, www.ati.com) to replace your built-in card.
Audio
The most exciting bit of audio hardware news to hit the Mac is the first-ever release of a third-party sound card. The Sound Blaster Live ($149.95; Creative Labs, www.creativelabs.com) dramatically enhances your PCI-based Mac's ability to output high-quality sound. Although the technology is hardly cutting edge, the difference is striking. If this one succeeds, look for a wider selection of sound hardware in the years to come.
What good is great sound without great speakers? Here are a few of the latest and greatest options. The SoundSticks, from audio giant Harman Kardon ($199; Harman Multimedia, www.harman-multimedia.com; available from the Apple Store, www.apple.com), come with the iSub subwoofer and a supercool transparent case. The Monsoon iM-700 ($169; Sonigistix, www.sonigistix.com) delivers great sound with a subwoofer and a pair of compact flat-panel speakers. Finally, Creative Labs can fill any audiophile's need with its full line of Cambridge SoundWorks speakers (starting at $59.95).
Controllers
When Apple added USB (Universal Serial Bus) support a few years ago, gamers tentatively cheered. Could this mean that our anemic selection of input devices and game controllers was about to widen? The answer has proved to be a satisfying if not resounding yes.
The market has expanded dramatically. Several companies have recognized that going to the trouble of writing Macintosh drivers for their devices opens up a whole new market with minimal time and expense. However, many have not. Make sure the device you're considering has both a USB connector and Macintosh-compatible drivers.
Gamepads.
The selection of gamepads is extensive. Some of the best are the Destroyer Tilt GamePad ($29.99; Gravis, www.gravis.com), Xterminator Gamepad ($49.95; Gravis, www.outpost.com), FireStorm Dual Analog Gamepad ($24.99; Guillemot, http://us.thrustmaster.com), Firestorm Digital Gamepad ($14.99; Guillemot), WingMan Gamepad Extreme ($39.95; Logitech, www.logitech.com), and iShockII ($49; Macally, www.macally.com).
Racing wheel.
For driving aficionados, look into the NASCAR Pro Digital 2 Racing Wheel ($59.99; Guillemot). The set comes with both the driving wheel and floor pedals.
Flight-sim devices.
Need hardware for that realistic flight-simulation experience? No problem. Check out the Flight Sim Yoke USB LE ($109.95; CH Products, www.chproducts.com), Top Gun AfterBurner Force Feedback Joystick ($89.95; Guillemot), and Top Gun AfterBurner Joystick ($59.99; Guillemot).
Mice and trackballs.
For those who prefer the traditional mouse or trackball for their games, the selection has become extensive. Seriously consider the outstanding Intellimouse Optical mice and trackballs from Microsoft. Particularly impressive are the IntelliMouse TrackBall Optical ($44.95) and IntelliMouse Optical ($39.95). Their rollerball-free design and array of customizable buttons give these controllers the advantage over traditional multibutton mice and the otherwise strong one-button Apple Pro Mouse ($59; Apple). Look also at the products from Logitech (www.logitech.com) and Kensington (www.kensington.com).