Need hardware suggestions for my specific setup

[taylor34]

So about 6 months I finally setup my mame setup like this:

4 year old HP laptop with xp
42" TV mounted on the wall, rotatable
xarcade joystick (yes, I know it's not the greatest, I was looking for something quick, easy, and looks good)
some kind of frontend, can't remember

The problem is, the laptop the sucks.  When I come out of sleep mode the xarcade malfunctions, or the laptop won't boot up at all.  It makes it a total pain to use.

What I want is something that is small that I can sit on my bar, plug my xarcade in, and then just play games within a minute of turning it on (if possible).  I just want it to work, that's the main thing, and be super simple for my kids (6 and 3) to use, right now it's way too hard. 

Any suggestions or advice?  Thanks!

[404]

depending on how big or small your bar is, consider just buying some micro atx parts and house it all in an htpc case

[taylor34]

depending on how big or small your bar is, consider just buying some micro atx parts and house it all in an htpc case

What I'd really like is some sort of small pc already built, kind of mac mini in size.  I don't need 3d graphics or anything else, I only play 1995 and before games.  The old crappy laptop plays everything, so even if it has lower specs that should be ok.

[keilmillerjr]

depending on how big or small your bar is, consider just buying some micro atx parts and house it all in an htpc case

What I'd really like is some sort of small pc already built, kind of mac mini in size.  I don't need 3d graphics or anything else, I only play 1995 and before games.  The old crappy laptop plays everything, so even if it has lower specs that should be ok.

Check out these units. Cheap, small, and desk friendly. All similar to Mac mini.

http://www.newegg.com/Barebone-Mini-Computers/Category/ID-3

[taylor34]

depending on how big or small your bar is, consider just buying some micro atx parts and house it all in an htpc case

What I'd really like is some sort of small pc already built, kind of mac mini in size.  I don't need 3d graphics or anything else, I only play 1995 and before games.  The old crappy laptop plays everything, so even if it has lower specs that should be ok.

Check out these units. Cheap, small, and desk friendly. All similar to Mac mini.

http://www.newegg.com/Barebone-Mini-Computers/Category/ID-3

I'd prefer something that was already put together, not a barebones thing if possible.  Most of the newegg things seemed like they were just pieces.  Any ones that are already put together available?

[keilmillerjr]

I'd prefer something that was already put together, not a barebones thing if possible.  Most of the newegg things seemed like they were just pieces.  Any ones that are already put together available?

They are already put together. Most items in that category, such as the zotac units, just need a hard drive and ram. It will literally take less than 5 minutes.

If you can't accomplish that, just buy a mac mini. Those are ready to go, high quality units.

[a1pharm]

This is what you're looking for:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-Eee-Box-PC-EB1006-160-GB-Intel-Atom-N270-1-6-GHz-2-GB-PC-Desktop-/221247176035?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item33835bfd63#ht_843wt_1142

Search around on the internet, they were $200 brand new 2-3 years ago, perhaps you will find one on the super cheap.

[paigeoliver]

Stop letting the laptop go to sleep, just power it on and off when you are done with it.