Best OS For Arcade Cabinets

[Lachlan438]

Hey I have just started to build my arcade and want to do all the arcade things
burn music
use the web
download new Roms
have my arcade net worked
and do some of the normal computer things

I have know idea  what Linux lets you do and i have never used a mac so what dose every one think is the best OP system for a arcade

[FhM]

XP is probably the best for compatability of all the nice add ons you might want. Vista is the one to get the best performance of a dual core chip apparently for the speed increase for 64 bit.
I run xp on a P4 3.2 with 2 gig of ram and its plays 95 % of the games. Mine will not play Carnevil or blitz etc but they are a small minority.

[Zobeid]

I'm a die-hard Mac user.  I have four Macs here, no PCs.  MacMAME works great for me, and SDL-MAME works fine in my G5 system.  I love my Macs. . . .

Having said that, I'm going for a refurb Windows PC as the heart of my MAME cabinet.  There are just too many utility programs that are only for Windows.   That includes front ends, it includes ROM management tools, and also configuration tools for the U360 sticks.

I'm going to try Win98 SE first and see how that goes.

I'm not interested in running anything besides MAME on mine.  No web surfing, no jukebox, etc.  I have my Macs for all that stuff.

[headkaze]

You will find that XP is the clear OS of choice for arcade cabinets. Check out RandyT's poll "Which OS is on your arcade gaming rig?"

[Lachlan438]

Thanks for that link Im going to go with xp