Specifically, is it possible to run this game on a late 2012 Mac laptop and, if so, how does one do it? Thanks.

The DVD release that GOG Is really difficult, First it is windows based, second the MPEG moves are really hard to play. The first problem is easily solved by wineskin, but getting the movies to play is really impossible...

If you can, look for the 5 cd (I think) release that is dos based. It runs in dosbox very well, but you do have low qauilty video with the dang interlace lines.

It really stinks that we can't enjoy this hi def version on mac. I'm not sure why. Is it that it's that difficult to create an osx friendly version? I really don't know. They have mac versions of other games that, as far as I know, never had them before.

Unfortunately, if you want to play this on a mac, you have to do what hercomethe2 said and purchase the old dos version (it's 6 discs btw). I grabbed it real cheap on ebay and couldn't actually get it up and running - getting some weird errors that I don't usually see. It will play the intro and beginning movie scenes, and it looks horrific. Grainy and loaded with those black lines. It crashes as soon as I get to spaceflight mode.

I really wish gog could get a mac verison of this up and running. Actually, a mac version for all the later WC games would be great. I'm sure they'd sell plenty of them.

I'd certainly buy them, or at least 4 and the second Privateer. Thanks for the advice. I'm actually saving up for a low-price gaming-only desktop that'll be either a Linux or a (probably) Windows machine, so I'll just wait until I get around to all of that.
Again, thanks and take it easy.