Salvage Xarcade stick/buttons for bartop & monitor question

[GusGoose]

Hi all,

I'm starting my 2'nd project, this time a bartop MAME arcade. The idea is to go cheap but not stupid if that makes sense.
I'm in the planning stage and had two questions.

1. I got the 2 player Xarcade when on sale last week for $80 which I thought was a pretty good deal.
My original thought was to salvage the sticks and buttons (2 sticks and 20 buttons) rather than buying the sticks and buttons and an iPac.
Using the PS2 connector instead of the USB prevents any blocking.

This would give me a 2 player setup with;

6 buttons each
2 for start
1 for coin
1 enter
1 reset
1 exit
2 "shift" keys

Would anyone recommend against using the Xarcade hardware?

2. I can get a Planar PE2010 LCD 20.1" for $30 (4:3 seems to be the weapon of choice) or should I go for a 22" wide for $80 instead?
I'm mainly planning on MAME as well as SNES and NES and I think the 4:3 is what I should get but I wanted someone else's take as well.

Thanks in advance,

--Goose

Planar PE2010 specs.

Code: [Select]

Product Series: PE
Product Model: PE2010
Product Name: PE2010 LCD Monitor
Product Type: LCD Monitor
Number of Screens: 1
Screen Size: 20.1"
Screen Mode: SXGA+
Response Time: 8 ms
Horizontal Viewing Angle: 160?
Vertical Viewing Angle: 160?
Maximum Resolution: 1400 x 1050
Color Supported: 16.2 Million Colors
Contrast Ratio: 700:1
Brightness: 300 Nit
DVI: Yes
VGA: Yes
Input Voltage: 110 V AC, 220 V AC
Color: Black
Height: 13.5"
Width: 17.5"
Depth: 2.8"

[BobA]

Some will recommend against X arcade hardware as they are cheaper knockoffs but some like them so it will depend on your personal taste.  The x arcade encoder is very adaptable for other consoles but that is only useful if you plan on adding consoles to your build. 

4:3 is the way to go.  A wide monitor will only give you lost space and lose overall useful screen space.