Hi all,

I am HIGHLY considering building something here in the next few days. I just have that masculine urge to make stuff. My 360 broke (Disc spindle motor) and I am considering replacing the motor and making a 360 laptop (tho nothing on the scale of Ben Heck's work). The design I have made is in an anodized aluminum briefcase with no external openings and a recessed design to allow the power plug, video out (when not using included monitor), USB, ethernet, etc to plug into the opened frame (hard to explain, easy when you see my sketches). The monitor would also pull forward to allow for storage of cords, controllers, etc.

My other device is a revamped and modern Arcade cabinet. Use a 26" or so flat screen TV and have a computer under the hood running the show via emulators for all the old systems (Atari up thru PS1 probably). I have already come up with a Modular Control Panel idea and how I want the thing to look more or less.

So Totse, help me in deciding: 360 Laptop or Arcade cabinet? I am about 99% sure I am going to start work on one of these projects soon. I just can't decide which.

RDP

Arcade cabinet. Better yet, build yourself a pinball machine.

Arcade. I've built a few myself, so I can help you with any problems.

A pinball machine would be neater though. I wrote up a bunch of ideas for the mechanics and electronics.

Pinball doesn't do much for me.

Arcade cabinet seems to be winning tho. I was actually leaning xbox 360 today and arcade cabinet last night. Fuck, eventually, I'll probably have to make both

RDP

Arcade cabinet running off 360 laptop :eek:

Arcade cabinet running off 360 laptop :eek:

Throughly Considered except for the whole not being able to run an alternative OS on it. As much as I despise the PS3 this would be a cool application. I am actually considering cooling the computer running the cabinet with mineral oil which would make for a cool window in the bottom front of the cabinet.

RDP

Throughly Considered except for the whole not being able to run an alternative OS on it. As much as I despise the PS3 this would be a cool application. I am actually considering cooling the computer running the cabinet with mineral oil which would make for a cool window in the bottom front of the cabinet.

RDP

A pc would much better IMO. The ps3 is good but I don't think the Other O/S is quite up to speed when doing much other than web browsing.

A pc would be quite neat submerged in mineral oil and you could get some awesome lighting going on, with the display window/s for all to marvel through.


Damn it, you've inspired me to do something similar.:mad:

A pc would much better IMO. The ps3 is good but I don't think the Other O/S is quite up to speed when doing much other than web browsing.

A pc would be quite neat submerged in mineral oil and you could get some awesome lighting going on, with the display window/s for all to marvel through.


Damn it, you've inspired me to do something similar.:mad:

Dont forget to get some bubbles with an aquarium pump!

Make friends with a machinist, and build yourself a cannon.:D. If you can afford the steel for one, that is. Between jobs this last summer, I built a bowling ball mortar.

buy world of warcraft characters instead son

Make friends with a machinist, and build yourself a cannon.:D. If you can afford the steel for one, that is. Between jobs this last summer, I built a bowling ball mortar.

buy world of warcraft characters instead son

Did either of you even read my OP?

RDP

Make friends with a machinist, and build yourself a cannon.:D. If you can afford the steel for one, that is. Between jobs this last summer, I built a bowling ball mortar.

Dude! Pics? Video?

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics or video of it. And we ended up hauling it off to the scrapyard.:(

Dude! Pics? Video?

Arcade cabinet. Better yet, build yourself a pinball machine.

THIS!'

Heres a good link to get started making the sweetest Arcade Cabinet EVER...

http://arcade.tomvanhorn.com/

i know this is deviating from the choices at hand (darkens "E. none of the above" and proceeds with write-in even though it wasn't given as a choice), but if I had time and money to build something nuts, I would totally build a human powered flying machine.

you could build an arcade cabinet and take it ON BOARD a human powered flying machine, but you'd have to set aside part of ur budget for some heavy-duty steroids. we all gotta make sacrifices lol

Build the arcade, or a turbocharger jet engine if youre feeling up to it.

Dont bother running a computer under oil unless it's a pos computer that you just want to put in oil because you could.

I appreciate the ideas from others but there are only two options on what I'm building. Its a 360 Laptop or Arcade Cabinet. I think the cabinet is it tho as I have now moved well into the planning stage and have started drawing up my designs.

Name anything interesting you think should go into it!

RDP

First thing's first. Will it use coins or tokens, or will it be strictly free play? If I was building one, I would use coins and make the slot into a Plinko game.

First thing's first. Will it use coins or tokens, or will it be strictly free play? If I was building one, I would use coins and make the slot into a Plinko game.

Cool idea. I have the equipment to do a coin operated. I might just put a hidden switch somewhere to go form coin to free play.

RDP

Fix your Xbox drive spindle...You'll need something to do while you're taking a break from building a kickass arcade system!

Pics if you choose the arcade system mate!

Fix your Xbox drive spindle...You'll need something to do while you're taking a break from building a kickass arcade system!

Pics if you choose the arcade system mate!

I have the XBOX drive in the mail right now. Microsoft wanted $100 to fix it. I found a whole new drive for $35 on eBay. All that I must do is switch out the control boards as the 360 will only work with its original (or flashed) drive.

RDP