Apple is criticized for not catering to gamers — and rightly so — but you might be surprised to learn that Macs do have the potential to be great gaming machines. Even portables like the MacBook can become high-end gaming rigs, thanks to the Wolfe.
The Wolfe combines your Mac with a real desktop GPU — the same kind of video card found in dedicated gaming or video editing machines — making it immensely more powerful than it typically is with the integrated graphics Apple provides.
As standard, the Wolfe comes equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 GPU, but there’s also a Wolfe Pro, which is equipped with a GeForce GTX 970. Later, you’ll also be able to get the Wolfe with NVIDIA’s new GTX 1060.
Alternatively, you can pick up the Wolfe DIY, which gives you all the parts you need to connect your own GPU to a Mac.
The Wolfe provides up to five times the graphical performance of a typical notebook, while the Wolfe Pro can deliver up to ten times the performance. This becomes really apparently in benchmark tests like Heaven.
While a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Iris Pro 5200 graphics can deliver less than 15 frames-per-second in these tests, the same machine with the Wolfe can deliver over 50 fps. Hook up the Wolfe Pro and you can expect well over 70 fps.
The Wolfe is even powerful enough to make the Mac compatible with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive virtual reality headsets.
Getting setup with the Wolfe is as easy as plugging it into your Mac using the Thunderbolt connector, then connecting the power cable. It’s that simple!
The Wolfe is currently available on Kickstarter, with prices starting at $399 for the standard model and $449 for the Wolfe Pro. The Wolfe DIY costs just $269, but of course you’ll need to provide your own GPU.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
8 responses to “The Wolfe turns your MacBook into a high-end gaming rig”
You may wish to correct the pricing information as it appears to be $399/$549 for the early bird specials on standard/pro respectively and then a $50 increase on each once early bird preorders are depleted.
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I want to know if this can be used for editing in FCP X to accelerate render times. I looked on Apple’s page and these GPU models aren’t listed as compatible but maybe they just haven’t updated the page yet. Has anyone tried it?
This only works for Windows, you would need to boot windows via bootcamp or use it as your main OS.
YES, I have been wanting a device like this. Will be a buyer.
$270 for a small case with a bit of PCB inside with a slot. Yes it is true, the world has gone mad.
Yes, you could argue there will be a connection cable too, and a bit of software. Wow. Big money for nothing. But I am sure it’s worth it to somebody, if not me.
Look at that shinny Porsche 911! $100,000 for a bulk steal case with a bit of carbon fiber, glass and plastic inside. Yes it is true, the world has gone mad.
Yes, you could argue there will be some gasoline too, and a bit of craftsmanship. Wow. Big money for nothing.
Look at that shinny AutoCAD 2014! $1,200 for a paper hardcore with a bit plastic disk in inside. Yes it is true, the world has gone mad.
Yes, you could argue there will be more paper inside, and a bit of intellectual property. Wow. Big money for nothing.
Look at that shinny Star Wars The Prequel Trilogy blu-ray set ! $360 for a plastic case with more plastic inside. Yes it is true, the world has gone mad.
Yes you could argue there will be some paper, and a bit of storytelling. Wow. Big money for nothing.
ROI of the Porsche will be less so price not too extravagant for the product. But the others fit the bill. Likewise recent Lord of Rings + Hobbit disk set. You can buy each on DVD for $50 apiece, which could be argued as expensive for 3 discs materially worth a few ¢ each but now new set of both together for $800. Please tell me if I’m missing something here or is that yet another case of exploitation of the consumer?