Laptop Arcade Dock

[Muramasa]

Man, I finally got this finished.

If you've ever seen a video by a guy called Dean Liou from Lenovo, then you probably know what this is. If not, then what it is is a Laptop Arcade Dock. Essentially it's the shell of an arcade with the control panel on a hinge, allowing you to place your laptop on a ramp inside the arcade and plug in the arcade controls via USB to play emulators or MAME with. I decided to recreate it. I definitely did not turn out as well as that one, but it's still alright.

Video:
eBay Listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181036219281

So quick details:
- Made from 1/2" MDF
- Secured with L=Brackets and wood glue
- Painted with black latex paint
- Real Happ Competition Controls
- ZD Rematch Encoder
- Sized to fit most laptops

Please give me any constructive critisicm. I am aware that this is far from perfect (or arguably even good) so please let me know what I can do better since I plan to do more projects like this in the future. Thanks!

P.S. I will try to upload pictures later. Also, no build process pics. Sorry

[chopperthedog]

With the plethora of knowledge available on this site and with you saying "it's far from perfect" and including the ebay link is a little sad imho. I know you're young and bla bla bla can't fault you for trying bla bla bla.... Improve on you carpentry skills and scour these forums for methods, ideas and plans to do it right. Also why bother with the dock when P4 3.2ghz 1gig ram 60 gig hd refurb systems can be had for right around $60. But I still think you are way to quick into the building of sub par constructed items for money. Good luck.


good day.

[Muramasa]

With the plethora of knowledge available on this site and with you saying "it's far from perfect" and including the ebay link is a little sad imho. I know you're young and bla bla bla can't fault you for trying bla bla bla.... Improve on you carpentry skills and scour these forums for methods, ideas and plans to do it right. Also why bother with the dock when P4 3.2ghz 1gig ram 60 gig hd refurb systems can be had for right around $60. But I still think you are way to quick into the building of sub par constructed items for money. Good luck.


good day.

Yes, you're right. After I posted this I've actually decided to not make any more arcades. There are a couple reasons why this thing sucks. First off, my dad is rarely able to help with the woodworking, and because I'm extremely impatient, when we do get around to it it gets rushed. Also, my dad funded this project expecting to be reimbursed when I sell it. I know I could've gotten much better materials (vinyl, actual decals, t-moulding, a computer, etc.) but that would've driven the price up and my dad would've never let this project get off the ground. And of course the hardest thing for me to accept was yes, I did build this for the sake of selling it, which is just not cool.

But these are not excuses, I know. Maybe when I'm older and I have the time, money, and ability to make higher quality products, I will start this again, but I understand that this is a turd. I'm gonna try and start a different hobby.

Thanks for the advice.

[chopperthedog]

I also don't want to discourage you from continuing on with a great hobby. Think of a grand project for yourself. That Frankenstein with a vision that is constantly improved upon while improving upon your own skills and learning from the mistakes made along the way. Make it creative and fun and not a business.


good day.

[Muramasa]

I also don't want to discourage you from continuing on with a great hobby. Think of a grand project for yourself. That Frankenstein with a vision that is constantly improved upon while improving upon your own skills and learning from the mistakes made along the way. Make it creative and fun and not a business.


good day.

Well, I do eventually want to make a MAME arcade for myself one day, and of course I will make that my grand project, but the problem was that I wanted to make money doing this but learned that it's not the fast paced process I thought it would be. I'm just very impatient, it's a bad trait I know. But yes, I will definitely do a "grand project" one day, but as my full time hobby, I think I'll change.

And thanks for the kind words, and you weren't discouraging me, I came to that conclusion myself.

[jmike]

We all started somewhere and I admire you for trying a bartop build.
I think not having the right tools and your dad being too busy to help really put you in a hard spot to begin with.
That being said don't be so quick to give up. You have the basic knowledge with the encoder and programming the buttons (which some are afraid of and confused by) so why not try and build something smaller like fightsticks?
Those encoders work on PS3. That should be your next project, smaller and easier to build.

 

[Unstupid]

So quick details:
- Made from 2" MDF

Must be heavy!   

So how much does dad have invested in it and is he expecting his money back?

[Muramasa]

So quick details:
- Made from 2" MDF

Must be heavy!   

So how much does dad have invested in it and is he expecting his money back?

$70. he expects it back in full. I'm trying to sell these old Force FX Lightsabers to help reimburse.

That was a typo. It's 1/2". But yeah, it's 30 pounds. XD

[Le Chuck]

Also, my dad funded this project expecting to be reimbursed when I sell it.

Something doesn't jive here...

Either you told your dad you'd be able to flip this machine for $$$ and that's why he's hassling you for his investment money back (to teach you a lesson about realistic expectations and the way the world works)

or

He's a total d-bag who set you up for failure by believing that the first thing you built would be a product worth buying. 

I doubt it's the second one (and if it is keep building but don't take money from your old man anymore) so if it's the first you should probably mow some lawns or something and get him paid back.  I've been building for years and I don't like selling my projects because I'm a perfectionist and for the most part I'm not doing anything special.  I'm just now to the point where if somebody threw some cash my way I'd feel comfortable building them a cab but I'm not actively building to sell.  This hobby is plenty rewarding as it is, for those few who can turn it into industry I applaud them but for the vast majority of us we're content to tinker and enjoy the projects of the community.  What I'm saying is to keep building, stick around, learn some things, and don't be concerned about the almighty dollar because there are much easier ways to make a buck than slapping bartops together... unless you're Cory-Dee... that dude has figured something out.

[CoryBee]

unless you're Cory-Dee... that dude has figured something out.

 

[Muramasa]

Also, my dad funded this project expecting to be reimbursed when I sell it.

Something doesn't jive here...

Either you told your dad you'd be able to flip this machine for $$$ and that's why he's hassling you for his investment money back (to teach you a lesson about realistic expectations and the way the world works)

or

He's a total d-bag who set you up for failure by believing that the first thing you built would be a product worth buying. 

I doubt it's the second one (and if it is keep building but don't take money from your old man anymore) so if it's the first you should probably mow some lawns or something and get him paid back.  I've been building for years and I don't like selling my projects because I'm a perfectionist and for the most part I'm not doing anything special.  I'm just now to the point where if somebody threw some cash my way I'd feel comfortable building them a cab but I'm not actively building to sell.  This hobby is plenty rewarding as it is, for those few who can turn it into industry I applaud them but for the vast majority of us we're content to tinker and enjoy the projects of the community.  What I'm saying is to keep building, stick around, learn some things, and don't be concerned about the almighty dollar because there are much easier ways to make a buck than slapping bartops together... unless you're Cory-Dee... that dude has figured something out.

It's actually a mixture. My dad is trying to teach me to be able to pay off debts, but at the same token neither he or I were aware of the standards, resulting in him thinking this product would be sellable (if that's even a word).

Yeah, I realize now that it was a mistake thinking I could make money off of this hobby very easily now. These things take alot more time, care, money, and know-how to make them good. I definitely want to do this again (of course, making a product 100 times better) when I have more time, money, and freedom. As for making money, being an artist, I'm surprised I just didn't figure out how to sell my work online if I wanted to make money off of a hobby.

[BC_Jeffro]

good try kid   
keep at it

[Muramasa]

I just wanted to update on what I'm going to do with this. I'm salvaging the buttons and making a PC Street Fighter fightstick, with this handdrawn art.