Laptop for Cabs

[Acroyear]

Hey Guys...

Have yet to post in this forum, so be nice. Been looking around, and collecting parts for a MAME cab. Been lucky, and gotten a lowboy cab (very popular in the 90's in Australia) and am looking to put a monitor and computer into it.

One of the  unique stiles of this cab is that its been built locally in Aust, and has very little room. While I can mount a Pentium board and gear to its side, I like the idea of being able to pull a box or laptop out, hanging it on the network, and using the processor... (believe me, there are times where I would need to!)

So, has anyone used a laptop in there cab? Any pitfalls or problems? Right now I have a Laptop that I could use, or go the box route, and start screwing motherboards into the cab.

I have thought about putting a network connection into the box, and using it that way, but due to the fact that the cab will live in the garage (yeah, I've been told she's not allowed to live inside too,) I don't think thats a good idea at this time.

Love to bounce this one around the forum, and see what comes up!

-Acroyear

[2slk]

 I was considering those same options a while back. I was planning a scaled-down cab but finally decided to go full-size. I did consider the laptop option quite heavily though.

 I concluded that it was easier and more cost effective (I didn't have a spare laptop hanging around) to put together a PC from parts and use an LCD monitor. It gave me better options for monitor size, overall design and future upgradeability.

 As for the network, it may be possible to have your cake and eat it too. To be able to use your cab on a network, you could possibly go the wireless route. Depending on how far away and how many walls you have to go through, WiFi 802.11g just might do the trick. If that's not in the budget, wheels are a far cheaper accessory

[TheTick]

I don't see any problems versus a standard PC... except making sure it receives proper ventilation.  No computer likes overheating, but laptops have everything squeezed into a smaller space.

I'm going that route by sticking an extra, underpowered Toshiba Libretto palmtop into a desktop cab. Just a bit smaller than a mini-ITX board, and its already been paid for.

[jakejake28]

my opinion, dont use a laptop. for the price, you can normally get a much more powerful reg. pc, and maybe buy an lcd. more bang for the buck. hey, maybe try one of those miniitxs. never had one, but reviews say they are fine.

[anthony691]

IF you are planning on using an arcade monitor; forget using a laptop! Video card upgradability is something to keep in mind!

[Amra]

Since we are on the subject... how about this.

Certain Brand Laptops have whats called a "Docking Station".  It essentially turns a laptop into a desktop, and when your ready to run, simply remove the laptop and go.

Now, incorperate that into a Cabinet.  You could have a slot on the front, behind a door or something, that you open up, slide the laptop in, and poof, instant arcade.  Then when you need your computer for something else, say... schoolwork.  Simply remove the laptop and use normally.

It seems like a good idea... at least to me

[TheTick]

Of course its a good idea.... but I think the issue was cost.
He already had a laptop he could use, otherwise he would have to buy a PC or the parts to build one.
If he has the dock the would make for some really quick and effortless connections. Otherwise most docking stations are around $300. There are universial ones for about $100, but I think they are missing some features like the VGA out.

I tried buying a cheap port replicator for mine this weekend on ebay, and some a** keeps outbidding me  
If I get it, it should match up well with the 9" monitor I won.

[Acroyear]

The laptop docking station is a good idea, but I do not have one, and its not worth buying one for this laptop. One of the resions I was considering putting it in the cab was due to the fact that the case oaround the monitor is cracking.. (Never buy an NEC, peicee of s**t!)

I have an old P100 I can use, but again, the issue is networkability. WIFI sounds like a good idea, I'll have to look into it.

Didnt think of the graphics card upgade issue on the Laptop, good call.

Hmmmm...  Still need to work out an answer,  

-Acroyear

[Tommy Boy]

I travel a lot on business and have to run MAME on a laptop during the week to get my fix.  My opinion is that laptops generally aren't a good option if you can go with something else.

This is my third laptop that I've MAMEd with and this one is tolerable for most games but performance is somewhat sluggish on laptops -- probably because of the poor video cards that most laptops use.  My current setup is a Toshiba 2.4GHz P4 with 512MB and a GeForce4 Go420 video card.

Games that use backdrops or overlays are often sluggish, and especially at 800x600 or with cropped artwork.  As one example, I can't run Asteroids Deluxe at 800x600 with cropped artwork at full speed.  Frame skip 2 at about 90% is the best she'll do.

[Lilwolf]

Don't do it unless you already have the equipment.  Many notebook video cards just down right suck!  Expect 1/2 the performance on a notebook then other systems.

My bosses notebook (450 and 1.7ghz) where always withing a few 100 mhz as my home machine and I can tell you there where always a HUGE difference between them.  

[zzsprade]

Acroyear,

On another note mate, nice to see another Australian on here. There is not many of us but the number is growing.

Take care mate!

-Alex