Entertainment
I got to play ‘Control’ on a MacBook before you — here's why PCs should be worried
I just played an early copy of Control on the new M4 MacBook Pro, and I couldn’t help but think, “Yikes, PCs better watch their back!”
Before die-hard PC gamers jump in with, “macOS is still miles away from Windows when it comes to gaming,” I hear you. I’m not saying that Macs are nipping at Windows PCs’ heels. They’re not — at least, not yet.
However, in the gaming realm, the gap between Windows and macOS is beginning to shrink — and that should terrify Windows. Why? While Windows may still have hardcore gamers wrapped around its fingers, it may start to lose its grip on casual and newbie gamers. And my experience with Control confirmed this for me.
‘Control’ on the M4 MacBook Pro is sick
You may have played Control on another platform before, but you likely haven’t played Control like this.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Launched nearly five years ago, the action-adventure game came out on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. But on a shiny new M4 MacBook Pro, I was floored by its graphical fidelity and breathtaking visuals.
The M4 chip breathed new life into Control. Playing as Jesse Faden, a young woman with supernatural abilities, I levitated over the jagged terrain — and I was mesmerized by the dynamic lighting that danced on each rock formation, casting soft-edged, realistic shadows that shifted with my movements.
Some floating debris and polished stone surfaces picked up ambient reflections, adding a subtle glossy effect. Even distant light sources bounced off rocks and debris, creating reflections that feel true-to-life.
The graphics were vivid, crisp, and eye-catching. Faden looked visually stunning, too. She was kicking butt and taking names with a leather jacket that seemed so tangible, I was convinced I could feel the texture if I touched the screen.
Why does Control look so darn good? Thank the hardware-accelerated ray-tracing and mesh shading found on the M4 chip (as well as the previous-generation M3 chip). In simple terms, the latest Macs can render ultra-realistic lighting and shadows. Plus, they can manage detailed 3D environments more seamlessly.
Mashable Light Speed
With a computationally complex game like Control playing so smoothly and responsively on the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, Windows should be concerned.
It’s worth noting, though, that I didn’t get to feel the underside of the MacBook Pro to determine its thermal management. Plus, I wasn’t able to observe any load times for Control — the game was already fired up and ready to play at Apple’s showcase.
Apple may lure more laptop consumers away from Windows
Let’s say you’re looking for a new laptop. You don’t consider yourself a gamer, but you want to get started. You want a machine that’s perfect for daytime productivity and casual nighttime gaming. You don’t have any allegiance to macOS nor Windows, but the former has a reputation of delivering long battery life and beastly performance.
14-inch M4 MacBook Pro
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
After all, in our recent testing of the M4 MacBook Pro, it lasted 16 hours and 32 minutes on a single charge. Performance-wise, it blew rivals away.
Plus, macOS is set to support one of the most graphics-intensive games on the market: Cyberpunk 2077.
MacBooks have a limited library compared to Windows (an issue that Apple is tackling with the Game Porting Toolkit to help developers bring their Windows games to macOS more efficiently), but that’s OK — you’re just giving gaming a taste and you’re fine with just sampling what’s on offer.
Additionally, Apple appears to be working tooth-and-nail to bring more games into its catalog, including Control, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and more.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
While considering a Windows laptop, the same consumer may be attracted to its vast library of games, but they’ll likely have to contend with poor battery life and being shackled to an outlet all day long.
That being said, whether you’re a newbie gamer who isn’t drawn to specific titles, or a casual player who doesn’t mind macOS’ current catalog, there isn’t much that will lure you into Windows’ arms, particularly if you’re an OS-agnostic consumer.
In other words, if you’re a here-and-there gamer who isn’t bothered by a limited gaming library, then why opt for Windows?
Control, set to roll out on macOS in February 2025, might be the wake-up call Windows needs to address its possible slipping appeal among casual and newbie gamers. As mentioned at the outset, the gap between Windows and macOS in the gaming world is still wide, but Apple is making steady progress.
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
-
Word
-
Excel
-
PowerPoint
-
Outlook
-
OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Mashable Deals
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
Mashable Top Stories
Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
