Pros
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Cons
Steam phones home to Google Analytics
Summary
Steam phones home to Google Analytics.
The only reason to do so to my knowledge is to allow Google surveillance of my computer behavior. If your app is going to surveil my computer use, then ASK MY PERMISSION FIRST, DAMMIT. I have used my reverse firewall Little Snitch to deny Steam access to Google Analytics forever. I suggest other folks with reverse firewalls consider doing the same.
Pros
It's a store front, providing access to a lot of content that wasn't previously available or isn't available elsewhere.
Cons
Seems insistent that I want Steam accessibility panels in my games (I don't), to social network, etc. No way to completely disable viewing of Windows titles. Lots of effort to get to play.
Summary
Though its to be applauded for trying a little to look like a Mac app (though not a lot: it's a square cornered window that resizes from any edge), it gets down marked for wanting to start every time your machine does (which it does by default), requiring near constant updates, assuming you want it to interfere when you're trying to play and constantly trying to sell you games you can't run.
Pros
You can't have any pros if you can't run, Steam.
Cons
Despite a constant internet connection, each and every time I open Steam, it automatically begins downloading an update (which it needs to do) that ALWAYS either restarts or causes the application to quit at the 29MB point of the 34MB download.
Summary
Don't waste your time trying to fulfill a dream of having Steam on your Macintosh, it's a dud program, and for those without unlimited bandwidth, it will suck you dry.
Pros
nothing, it does not work
Cons
everything
Summary
unable to play. too bad
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
thought i'd try the free offer. either they are not ready for prime time (not enough servers) or the app simply sucks. i can not connect. I have tried a variety of times throughout the day. sometimes i do connect but lose my connection. lots of connection issues and password issues.
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
7 hours to download Portal on an 8GB line, what a joke! Completely erratic download rates ranging from 0kb/s - 900 kbs
If it takes this long to download a game I'll be uninstalling it soon.
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I downloaded this on an original Mac Pro. The Steam interface, a browser within the app, is pretty buggy and unpleasant. Lots of weird interface issues and bugs. I downloaded the free Portal game which is 5GB and it doesn't let you select where it is downloaded to (your Documents folder). Then I went to run it only to find that my stock graphics card is too old to run Portal.
That was a big waste of time and I certainly can't recommend this to a casual user like myself. Seriously, they had me download a 5GB game before letting me know it is incompatible with my not-so-old Mac Pro tower. I'm not impressed.
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I don't normally use my Mac for gaming but I thought I'd give this a try as portal is free for a limited time and some of their offers seem pretty reasonable. Registration was pretty simple and the installation of the steam app and portal was straightforward.
I've launched it a couple of times so far and played a few games portal did crash on me the first time for some unknown reason. It was before the game launched, not mid game.
I was hoping to be able to hook up my wired Xbox 360 controller as I am useless at using a keyboard for gaming. I downloaded some drivers and my Mac recognises the controller and everything seems to work until I load portal. I can't seem to find any options to play with a controller so am guessing keyboard & mouse is the only way to play. Anyone know if you can use a controller on the PC version?
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
After updating this online and creating an account, I find that this application simply bombs after a few minutes of operation. There seems to be a problem with Flash working properly inside as well, i.e., movies play but there is no sound.
Adjusting this software to run without using Flash would be a great idea, IMHO.
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Great news for Mac users; even in its first version, seems to work great!
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