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| Apple's A18 Pro-powered MacBook Neo runs Crimson Desert despite falling short of requirements. |
The critical reception for Crimson Desert has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. While some reviewers are absolutely mesmerized by the sprawling open-world game’s visual fidelity and attention to detail, others have found the in-game mechanics and overarching storyline to be unimpressive at best. However, there is one area where the game is earning universal praise: optimization. The title runs surprisingly well on modest hardware, which is always a welcome relief for budget gamers.
Speaking of budget gaming, the new MacBook Neo—Apple’s first laptop to prioritize affordability above all else—has entered the chat. Powered by a last-generation iPhone SoC paired with a modest 8 GB of RAM, this machine wasn’t exactly built to handle next-gen AAA titles. Yet, thanks to Crimson Desert running natively on Apple Silicon, the little laptop that could is putting up a fight.
Can the MacBook Neo Handle Crimson Desert?
Popular Mac gaming YouTuber Andrew Tsai decided to put the entry-level machine to the test. The MacBook Neo, currently available for $599 on Amazon, is far from a gaming powerhouse. Officially, the minimum requirements for running Crimson Desert on a Mac call for an M2 Pro or M3-class SoC. The Neo, which utilizes an A18 Pro chip with a 5-core GPU, sits well below that threshold.
However, as Tsai discovered, "impossible" isn't in Pearl Abyss’ vocabulary.
In a recent video, Tsai demonstrated that Crimson Desert does indeed run on the device. The catch? The settings have to be dialed down to what can only be described as "laughably low" configurations.
You can watch Andrew Tsai’s full benchmark test here.
The "Blurry" Catch: 180p to 540p
To achieve a playable framerate, the MacBook Neo relies heavily on aggressive upscaling and frame generation. With the minimum preset enabled, the system utilizes MetalFX upscaling to boost the resolution from a nearly incomprehensible 180p to 540p. With frame-generation turned on, the game manages to hover around 50 FPS.
Considering the A18 Pro features hardware-accelerated mesh shaders, the performance is surprisingly comparable to the older M1 chips.
For those who prefer a slightly sharper image, Tsai notes that a stable 30 FPS experience is achievable with a slightly higher resolution, provided you keep frame-generation and upscaling active. He noted that Crimson Desert with frame generation is a "decently enjoyable experience," which serves as a saving grace for lower-end Apple Silicon machines.
A Testament to Optimization
Needless to say, the MacBook Neo is not a gaming machine. It is an ultra-portable budget laptop designed for students and casual users. Yet, the fact that it manages to run Crimson Desert—a massive, graphically intensive open-world title—despite featuring just 8 GB of RAM shared between the CPU and GPU proves just how seriously Pearl Abyss cares about low-end hardware optimization.
For budget-conscious gamers, this is a massive win. If the game runs this well on a chipset originally designed for an iPhone, it opens the door for fluid gameplay on a much wider range of entry-level laptops.
Looking to grab the budget-friendly MacBook Neo?
You can check the current price on Amazon here.
Source: Andrew Tsai via YouTube
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| Crimson Desert runs on A18 Pro, but there is a somewhat blurry catch. |