Barebone/booksize computers for emulation? Or other small form factor solutions?

[shponglefan]

I've been thinking about small form factor computers lately for space-constrained builds.  For example, controllers w/ built-in connectivity to media devices (TV, audio) or a portable console emulation device.  I don't know too much about them and their flexibility when it comes to emulation.

I do know the Raspberry Pi is relatively underpowered, but will run older arcade games.  But what about Intel Atom and other similar devices?  I imagine they would have enough power for most types of emulation, but don't have one yet to try out...

[Drnick]

Most intel atoms are underpowered for modern emulation, they will generally do the classics ok though.  I know my netbook doesn't like emulators and thats a 1.6Ghz.  Depending on how small you want to go how about an intel NUC based system.  A little pricy but at 4" x 4" its got a fair old chunk of power.  http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/desktops/dc3217iye-product-brief.html

[welshjpc]

I had an ASUS EEepc with a 1.6Mhz Intel Atom processor running things like Final Fight just fine. With PCs you need to take operating systems and other blah into account (if it is a standalone MAME machine you don't need antivirus etc that can take up processor time).... Just look at how MAME4Droid runs lots of decent 90s games on Android platforms to see that you definitely don't need to spend big. If only you could plug an JPAC into a half decent one of them.... or can you?? 

[Serling1979]

This small form factor pc has an Intel i3 processor: Zotac ZBOX ID-82
I am not sure if it would manage to play the newest games but it will perform a whole lot better than an Atom. There are two versions, barebone and the complete version. The barebone fits a 2.5 inch hdd or an ssd (I've read that there is not much difference in performance for mame) and RAM seems to be cheap at the moment. 
Hope this helps.

Serling

[Unstupid]

I put a pretty demanding hyperspin install on an intel Nuc.