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A promising new gadget; Ben Heck is involved. . .

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ahofle:

--- Quote from: RandyT on May 28, 2007, 12:32:35 pm ---If this kind of thing gets you going, do yourself a favor and pick up a GP2X.  It's still software emulation, but it's also a lot more capable.

Just my opinion.

RandyT

--- End quote ---

Agreed.  Although I'm still waiting for the day a handheld device like the GP2X has enough horsepower to run most emulators and systems, including MAME.

DarkBubble:

--- Quote from: RandyT on May 28, 2007, 12:32:35 pm ---the case design is less than inspired.

--- End quote ---

I agree.  While Ben's technical knowledge is great and projects should serve as an inspiration, I've never liked his case designs, particularly after he got ahold of CNC equipment.  They look completely uncomfortable and/or unwieldy and sometimes some features in the controls go bye-bye.  He's got these the tools and ability, but for some reason doesn't seem to apply them, making sure that at least the front looks clean, with some rather important things taking a backseat.  Take a look at his portable SNES and PS1 if you want to see what I'm talking about there.  On the SNES, you'd think that he'd have moved the cartridge port into a Gameboy-like position, rather than leaving the cartridge hanging out of the ass end.  And don't get me started on the disc door of the PS1 that's only held on by magnets.

RandyT:

--- Quote from: ahofle on May 28, 2007, 11:04:58 pm ---Agreed.  Although I'm still waiting for the day a handheld device like the GP2X has enough horsepower to run most emulators and systems, including MAME.

--- End quote ---

MAME is doing pretty well on the GP2X if your focus is mostly on the classics and there are a bunch of console emulators that are already up to speed.  They are still works in progress, but are maturing quickly.  They have also recently released a "docking station" that allows the unit to be attached to a large screen, as well as USB Keyboards, gamepads, etc.  Worth a look in any event. 

RandyT

SavannahLion:

--- Quote from: DarkBubble on May 29, 2007, 10:07:20 am ---
--- Quote from: RandyT on May 28, 2007, 12:32:35 pm ---the case design is less than inspired.

--- End quote ---

I agree.  While Ben's technical knowledge is great and projects should serve as an inspiration, I've never liked his case designs, particularly after he got ahold of CNC equipment.  They look completely uncomfortable and/or unwieldy and sometimes some features in the controls go bye-bye.  He's got these the tools and ability, but for some reason doesn't seem to apply them, making sure that at least the front looks clean, with some rather important things taking a backseat.  Take a look at his portable SNES and PS1 if you want to see what I'm talking about there.  On the SNES, you'd think that he'd have moved the cartridge port into a Gameboy-like position, rather than leaving the cartridge hanging out of the ass end.  And don't get me started on the disc door of the PS1 that's only held on by magnets.

--- End quote ---

Oh thank you! I thought I was the only one that really felt that way. I thought his early designs were brilliant, but I noticed brilliancy was lost when he created the first portable PSX with the exposed drive around the back. After that, I stopped visiting his website until he made a huge "splash" with that God awful Xbox360 laptop and again with the Wii. (Why the Wii? It's already so damn small and he sure as hell didn't top the sexy case.)

The only reason he's wowing anybody these days is the existence of Digg. A huge mass of bored halfwits clicking on random links put on a page by other bored halfwits all day long would generate the kind of traffic that supposedly made him famous. Those guys will hump anything that appears different, whether or not it was done well.

Bleh, I never made the connection between the CNC machine and the quality of his handiwork, but I see what you're saying.

Crowquill:
The hardware project might be interesting, but the case is pretty god-awful. It looks like a mutated original gameboy put into one of those protectecive rubber cases that add a half-inch to every side of a PORTABLE system.

I don't think any of his designs for cases have been that inspired. They get the job done, but hardly a work of art. Granted he's working around existing hardware and trying to make it all fit into a tiny space, but a portable system should at least be comfortable to hold.

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