MacGameFPS

Is the MacBook Air M1 good for gaming? FPS in 35 games

The MacBook Air M1 (Apple M1, 7-core GPU) runs 31 of the 35 Mac games we track. 0 go past 60 FPS at 1080p High and 13 stay above 30. On the base 8 GB configuration, 3 of them need more memory.

It is a fanless laptop: it matches its same-chip siblings for a few minutes, but in long sessions of demanding games it lowers clocks to stay cool. Our figures already account for that loss.

Data reviewed October 1, 2026

MacBook Air M1 (model photo)

8

Gaming score (0-100)

Chip
Apple M1
GPU
7 cores
Memory
8 / 16 GB
Cooling
Passive (fanless)
Year
2020

Average gaming performance (2026)

1080p

29FPS

18/100 vs the most powerful Mac

1440p

18FPS

12/100 vs the most powerful Mac

4K

9FPS

7/100 vs the most powerful Mac

At 29 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Air M1 falls short for demanding games: it suits lighter titles or Low settings with MetalFX.

Average on High, no MetalFX, across the games this Mac runs.

MetalFX on the MacBook Air M1

Average of the 10 games with MetalFX at 1440p High.

Native

15FPS

Quality

18FPS

Balanced

22FPS

Performance

25FPS

What FPS does the MacBook Air M1 get in your game?

Games on the MacBook Air M1

Estimate

FPS at 1080p High, and the highest setting that holds 60 FPS.

Game1080p HighVerdictFor 60 FPS
Assassin's Creed ShadowsNeeds Apple M1 Max——
Crimson DesertNeeds Apple M2 Pro——
Cyberpunk 20779FPSToo slowNot reached
Baldur's Gate 314FPSToo slowNot reached
Control Ultimate Edition13FPSToo slowNot reached
Death Stranding Director's Cut26FPSStruggles1080p Low + MetalFX Performance
Hitman World of Assassination30FPSPlayableNot reached
Lies of P38FPSPlayable1080p Low + MetalFX Quality
Metro Exodus23FPSStrugglesNot reached
Resident Evil 419FPSToo slowNot reached
Resident Evil Village19FPSToo slowNot reached
Total War: PHARAOH12FPSToo slowNot reached
Total War: WARHAMMER III11FPSToo slowNot reached
Frostpunk 229FPSStrugglesNot reached
GRID Legends37FPSPlayableNot reached
No Man's Sky29FPSStruggles1080p Low + MetalFX Balanced
Resident Evil 229FPSStruggles1080p Low + MetalFX Balanced
Resident Evil 322FPSStrugglesNot reached
Resident Evil 7 biohazard29FPSStruggles1080p Low + MetalFX Balanced
Rise of the Tomb Raider34FPSPlayableNot reached
Shadow of the Tomb Raider24FPSStrugglesNot reached
XCOM 229FPSStrugglesNot reached
Cities: Skylines44FPSPlayable1080p Low
Civilization VI44FPSPlayable1080p Low
Civilization VII38FPSPlayableNot reached
Crusader Kings III44FPSPlayable1080p Low
Divinity: Original Sin 244FPSPlayable1080p Low
Final Fantasy XIV44FPSPlayable1080p Low
Myst23FPSStrugglesNot reached
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous44FPSPlayable1080p Low
Stellaris44FPSPlayable1080p Low
Stray16FPSToo slowNot reached
Valheim44FPSPlayable1080p Low
World of WarcraftNeeds Apple M2——
World of Warcraft: ForeverNeeds Apple M2——

Calculated with 8 GB, or with the game's minimum memory when higher (if the MacBook Air M1 was sold with it).

Compare it with

Similar Macs

MacBook Air M1 FAQ

Is the MacBook Air M1 good for gaming?

At 29 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Air M1 falls short for demanding games: it suits lighter titles or Low settings with MetalFX.

Which games run at 60 FPS on the MacBook Air M1?

No demanding game reaches 60 FPS at 1080p High; some do with MetalFX and Low settings.

Which games do not run on the MacBook Air M1?

Assassin's Creed Shadows, Crimson Desert, World of Warcraft, and World of Warcraft: Forever: they need a stronger chip or more memory.

How much memory should I get on the MacBook Air M1 for gaming?

It ships with 8, 16 GB. Pick 16 GB: many current games will not launch with 8 GB.

Does the MacBook Air M1 throttle while gaming?

It has no fan: in long sessions of demanding games it lowers clocks and loses up to 20% of sustained performance. Our figures already account for it.

Ranking of every Mac for gaming →