Which low-priced Mac model is best for gaming? 'Low-priced' is a relative term, but if you're on a budget you might be able to get away with the mid-range 21.5in iMac at a cool £1, 2 49/$1,299.

Gaming on the Mac isn't as big as on PC, but there's still some great games out there for Apple computers. In some cases you'll be OK using a keyboard and mouse, but for a lot of people, kicking back and using a controller is the way to game.

If that sounds like you and you're looking for a good controller, look no further. Here's what to get.

Xbox One controller

You can't just plug and play the Xbox One controller on the Mac, but getting it working really doesn't take much effort. And when it's up and running you'll have one of the best controller experiences on any platform right there for your Mac games.

The Xbox One controller isn't all that expensive and has an offset design for its thumbsticks which many find much more comfortable than Sony's side-by-side arrangement. It's a great size, not too heavy and has nice big bumpers and triggers.

The standard black controller is around $45, but there are a ton of special edition designs out there for various prices that might be more to your liking.

Sony DualShock 4

While the Xbox One controller is preferable for many, others swear by Sony's DualShock 4. It's a very different design but equally proficient in its own right for Mac gaming. Again, it's not exactly plug and play, but the process of making sure it's working properly is very simple.

The DualShock 4 is very comfortable in the hand with great triggers and bumpers, albeit both a little smaller than on something like an Xbox controller. The biggest difference is the side-by-side analog sticks.

It's lightweight so it's great for long gaming sessions, and Sony also has an official adapter to allow you to use it with your Mac wirelessly, though they can be hard to find. But for around $50, this is another great controller and it works perfectly with Steam.

Steam Controller

Steam is more commonly associated with PC gaming but there's still a decent supply of Mac compatible games in there. If this is where you get most of your games from, them the official Steam Controller might be the one for you, and it has full, official Mac support.

It's a bit unusual compared to many controllers, thanks in no small part to the touchpad which you find where you might expect one of the analog sticks. The Steam Controller has been designed so you can play keyboard and mouse games comfortably with a controller.

There's a bit of a learning curve, but when you get used to it it's just as easy to use as any other controller. It sells for $50 but Valve is frequently discounting it, so there's always a chance of a bargain if you can wait until the next sale.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

C.J.'s next Fishing Tourney will be in July

There are four Fishing Tourneys each year in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Here's when they are and what the rules are for participating.

BestCooling Pads for MacBook ProiMore2020

Being tech bloggers, we travel everywhere with our laptops and know how hot they can get, especially when we're running programs with heavy processing use. We have tested many and found the perfect way to cool the heat from your MacBook Pro. Our tried-and-true favorite is the Thermaltake Massive TM.

Source: Thermaltake

The Massive TM by Thermaltake is a desktop-style cooling pad that's ideal for any size Mac laptop, from the 12-inch MacBook to the 15-inch MacBook Pro (and 17-inch notebooks, too), thanks to adjustable sizes that keep your device in place. It has two separate fans that draw cool air in from the bottom and push warm air out through the sides. You can set up automatic cooling with four separate heat sensors, or you can regulate the temperature manually, including giving it a turbo cooling boost. It also sports retractable feet, so you can adjust the angle of your laptop.

I've been using my Massive TM for a while now, and I've really been putting it through its paces. The one thing that makes it stand out from other cooling pads is its ability to track how warm my MacBook Pro is getting and then allow me to turbo boost the cooling process if things get out of hand.

The pad is large — maybe even a little too large. It's big enough to fit a 17-inch notebook, so my 13-inch MacBook Pro has plenty of space. The aluminum panel on top has four adjustable posts that you can slide around to fit your laptop. This keeps my MacBook Pro snugly in place without anchoring it on the cooling pad. The pegs are also spring-loaded, so if you accidentally set your notebook on top of one, it just flattens out instead of making your keyboard crooked.

When you set your laptop on the cooling pad, it senses the temperature. There are four sensor probes so that you can isolate any problem areas. When the fans are running, it'll cool your device by as much as 20 degrees. If you notice that, even with the regular fans running, your laptop isn't cooling down (like, if you're working extra hard with a particularly heavy processing program), you can hit the Turbo button. It will speed up the fans and send a burst of air upward.

Probably my favorite aspect of the Massive TM is the temperature display panel.

When the fans are running, they are relatively quiet as far as cooling fans go. I'm not saying they are whisper quiet, but you won't have to turn up the volume on your computer when they are running.

There are also retractable feet at the bottom of the pad, which allow you to adjust the angle that your laptop sits. The feet themselves have adjustable height, too. So, if you need a sharper angle, like to watch a movie, you can really get some tilt.

The fan is powered by a USB cable. It comes with a very short (I think it's about 8-inches) USB-to-USB cable. If you have the 2016 or later MacBook Pro, you'll need a USB A to USB C adapter, or at least a really long USB to USB cable so you can plug it into a power outlet.

Probably my favorite aspect of the Massive TM is the temperature display panel. You always know whether your laptop is running hot, thanks to the LED display. If you're in the middle of a game and notice that your MacBook Pro is running at about 85 degrees, you can turn on the fans and cool it down.

Pros:

• Adjustable typing positioning
• Fits almost all size laptops
• Targeted cooling for different areas
• Turbo boost cooling for extra hot spots
• Temperature sensor for auto on/off

Best Overall

Thermaltake Massive TM

The perfect cooling fan for most people

The Massive TM has lots of fantastic features, like a temperature gauge, adjustable feet, and a turbo boost so you can cool things down when you're working extra hard. It's also adjustable for better positioning while you type.

Source: Cooler Master

This cooling pad may only have one fan, but it makes up for that with its low price. Its slim design makes it portable, and its height adjustment settings provide customizable typing angles. Cable grooves give you nice cable management. Up to a 17-inch laptop will fit on the Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim. It's perfect if you're on a budget.

Pros:

• Well-priced
• Slim and portable
• Adjustable height

Best Value

Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim

No frills

For its price, you really can't go wrong with the Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim.

Mac Pc Gaming Pad Reviews

Source: Havit

This is the perfect MacBook Pro cooling pad for traveling. It's got three quiet fans for wide-spread cooling and an ultra-slim profile. There are two holders behind the back, which allows two different height levels.

The Havit's minimalist design makes it ideal for travel with your MacBook Pro. It's ultra-slim but can still handle laptops up to 17 inches. It also comes equipped with additional USB ports so you can use it as a portable hub.

Pros:

• Ultra-slim and portable
• Perfect for travel
• Well-priced
• Adjustable height

Best for Travel

Havit RGB

Gaming Mac Computer

Travel companion

Portable enough to slip into your laptop bag with plenty of cooling power.

Bottom line

With all of its convenient features, the Thermaltake Massive TM is easily the best cooler/cooling pad for your MacBook Pro. If you're in the market for one, the Massive TM should be your first consideration, since it's effective, ergonomic, quiet, and does its job well.

It has all of the features you'd want, including adjustable height, automatic or manual cooling, turbo boost cooling, and temperature sensing probes. Any laptop up to 17 inches will fit on the Thermaltake Massive TM. You even get an LED display to keep you apprised of your laptop's temperature.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Lory Gil works on her laptop about 50% of her day and knows just how hot the MacBook Pro can get. She's a big fan of keepin' things cool.

Luke Filipowicz is one of the coolest people around and knows a thing or two about how to stay that way, especially when it comes to laptops.

Karen S. Freeman spends way too much time burning up the internet. She knows you must keep things cool, though.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Get 4K for your Mac with these great monitors

To get the most out of your Mac, you need a beautiful display. A 4K monitor is a huge step in the right direction. Here are the best 4K monitors for your Mac.