Arcade In A Box

[KorruptIkonz]

What is your perspective on the Arcade In A Box?


For people who don't know what it is check out:

www.arcadeinabox.com

I like the idea but damn way to much money!!! Could build a full upright for $1,499.

KorruptIkonz

[Alyinsanfran]

Check this review:

http://www.retroblast.com/coinoptv.php
Episode 40: Robert and Norm review Arcade In A Box - an all-in-one arcade style control panel and Windows based computer inside for all your favorite retrogaming needs! (8/06)

[KorruptIkonz]

Yeah I have checked out this review on RetroBlast.. Wondering what the forum readers think..

KorruptIkonz

[dhenniga]

It looks good. Does it plug into a television or a PC monitor? The tracker ball buttons aren't much use if you're left handed (which I am). Personally I was never into the idea of a Windows based coin-op because it can crash and it's truely getting all the processing power out of the chip (because it's a multi-tasking environment). I always use DOS but then I'm a purist to the death. An arcade machine should be only used to play arcade games.

[KorruptIkonz]

It allows you to plug into a TV (A/V, HDTV, S-Video and I believe component) a PC Monitor and also a home projector (which would be DYI (Same as HDTV?) I believe). Has alot of video out options just wondering if the price is way to high for this box.

KorruptIkonz

[dhenniga]

Considering you're not getting a visual device then it's very high. You're also getting a computer that way too over speced to be in an arcade box. Build one, it's way more fun and will cost you around half the price (with a sensibly specced computer).

I wonder why you'd need HD to play games that don't support it?

[KorruptIkonz]

I agree with you 100% about the PC being way to over specced to play MAME games. I guess the HD is just another selling point. I guess it should have been called a PC in a Box. I do like the idea alot though. Minus the price and the overcompensation. I have been dwelling on the idea of doing a bartop MAME cabinet. I like the precut one over at MameRoom. Not to bad for $200..

KorruptIkonz

[dhenniga]

The precuts are good but you have to stick with the control panel layout they give you. You also have to buy a visual device (monitor or TV) that fits into the cabinet properly. It's not really a big deal though because most of the difficult work is in cutting the wood properly and $200 is a good price. Good luck with it and keep us posted!

[ArcadEd]

Thought I would chime in here, since I'm actually a member of these forums as well. Just haven't been around much trying to get holiday orders done.

The price issue comes up a lot in the various message boards that I notice and AIAB post. I don't know what to say that I haven't already said other places. A good portion of the cost is labor. Although the control panels are precut, all the wiring, computer installation, setup and testing is all done manually. Plus the countless hours of research and development, not only on the hardware side, but on the software side. Getting legal Windows game packs to run through the frontend making it easy for our users.

As far as the PC being overkill. It might be, but our systems are also designed to play modern arcade games as well. Like games at iretrogames.com.

On the comment about having to stick with our layout, that is true to an extent. Some customization can be done, but all of the parts on the inside are installed in such a way that it all fits. Moving a button or adding a joystick could cause an entire shift in how everything is installed.

Our target audience is not MAMERs (You will notice we make no mention of mame anywhere on the site). Our units are for Joe Schmoe that knows nothing about mame or DIY and just wants that old arcade feel with 100 classic arcade games installed legally. A lot of our customers have home theaters and large screen TVs that they would perfer to play on rather than an arcade cabinet.

I'm a standup guy, and wouldn't try to take advantage of anyone with high pricing. In fact, my pricing has shifted a lot over the years. We are now set in range I am comfortable with. I'm still able to do sales from time to time without losing my butt. I'm honest, and would happy to answer any questions. I'm not a saleman, so don't worry about that

Note::: Do to some issues with Component Video, we scrapped it. The units now come with S-video, VGA and DVI outputs.

[NE146]

I guess it should have been called a PC in a Box.

Which of course is any Mame cab