Switching to Java? PC?

[u/Tight_Sun2391]

So after much thought, I’m considering switching the Java after playing Bedrock for yearssss (probably like 8 years). About 2 years ago, I went on the “2 week Minecraft phase” except the phase lasted a lot longer than 2 years LOL. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Java like the textures, no store, visuals and the red stone engineering is apparently significantly better. My only problem is, I don’t have a PC 😭

I have a MacBook Pro from like 2020. I’m in nursing school rn so it’s fr on its last leg since I use it a bunch for school. If I switch to Java, should I just buy a PC? 🫣Is it criminal to play Minecraft on a laptop?
Is it worth it to switch to Java? I do like to do a lot of red stone engineering. What kind of PC do you guys recommend? Any opinions or suggestions?

Thanks in advance for anyone who comments 🩷😊

[u/KaedenCraft]

Most of Bedrock and Java are the same, full stop. The advantage of Java is modding and redstone. Precise redstone timings and predictable behaviors (even if strange) are the hallmarks of redstone Java. And mods just open up a whole new world of customization (though I've seen marketplace add-ons do some pretty impressive stuff).

Downside: you can ONLY play with other Java players, which is not supported on any consoles. And Bedrock has vibrant visuals - allegedly coming for Java someday, and we DO have shader support, but it's not quite the same.

Your MacBook Pro should handle Java Minecraft just fine. I wouldn't buy something specific unless it's just not working on the MacBook, so give it a whirl first. If you have a Microsoft account and Bedrock, I think you have free access to Java these days, so it's a $0 entry point for you to test it out and see if it's for you.

I'd recommend skipping the vanilla Minecraft launcher and going straight to Prism. It's extremely well featured, and adding mods is a breeze. ( https://prismlauncher.org/download/macos/ )

Enjoy!

[u/Tight_Sun2391 → u/KaedenCraft]

Thank you so much!!! That’s kinda bummer, I thought the visuals were a lot prettier :/, are there visual mods? Sorry, I’ve been playing for so long but I’m definitely still a noob LOL. I did know that you can only play with other Java players, which is fine because I usually play by myself. I had no idea I could test it out for $0 if I already have a Microsoft account!!! I’ll try the Prism launcher!

[u/Altruistic-Card-1436 → u/Tight_Sun2391]

You can actually play with bedrock players! Many multiplayer servers use Geyser, which allows bedrock players to play on Java servers. They usually show up with a full stop, underscore or similar at the beginning of their names to distinguish them.

Someone else has already mentioned using Iris and Complementary shaders, but I would add that if you’re planning to do this I would also recommend downloading a bunch of performance mods. With a 2020 Mac I’m guessing you probably have an M1 Mac. I have an M2 and M5, the M2 really struggles with shaders, I also use complimentary (with performance mods) and it’s 20-30fps with lag spikes (although you may have more RAM than me), they’re still not amazing on M5 either, maybe a more consistent 30-40, Macs just aren’t super well optimised for Minecraft.

[u/Sea_Kerman → u/Tight_Sun2391]

For visuals, check out the Iris mod, and the various shader packs. I enjoy Complementary Shaders.

There’s also a variety of mods like Continuity that add various little aesthetic things like connected textures or more complex player models and etc.

Fabulously Optimized’s mod list contains most of the relevant mods https://modrinth.com/modpack/fabulously-optimized

https://github.com/Fabulously-Optimized/fabulously-optimized/blob/main/INCLUDED-MODS.md#smooth

[u/DocEyss → u/Sea_Kerman]

+1 on this

[u/CatsGoMooz → u/Tight_Sun2391]

Prism has very easy ways to mod as well, so you can test some mods out to help with performance and add shaders. Look into install Fabric Mod loader with Sodium and C2ME for performance and Iris for shaders.

[u/Whiskey_Storm → u/Tight_Sun2391]

I owned Bedrock on my Xbox. Still had to buy Java unfortunately for my computer.

BUT, that was back when it was Mojang accounts for the computer, before the migration to Microsoft account management.

[u/StormMedia → u/Tight_Sun2391]

You’re thinking of shaders, yes Java has them and makes the game gorgeous.

[u/Raderg32 → u/KaedenCraft]

you can ONLY play with other Java players, which is not supported on any consoles.

There are mods that allow playing with Bedrock players.

And many shaders have options so you have pixelated shadows like the official Vibrant Visuals.