Non-Upgradeable SlimPC ?????

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cauley Felps
  • Start date Start date
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Cauley Felps

Does anyone here know what that is?

Pricewatch has a bunch of listings for really cheap Athlon machines
from a place called "MainPc Computer Inc."

Here's the details page
http://www.maincomp.com/shop/product.jsp?id=472&pw=#0

which reads:
-Slim ATX case
-Embedded Processor & 128MB Memory
-IDE CDROM, 20GB HD
-32MB Shared Video, Onboard Sound
-No Modem, LAN, USB or Parallel Port
-No Expansion Slots/Drive Bays
-Limited Warranty (30 Days)
-Generic Keyboard & mouse
(Note: Memory and CPU can not be Upgraded)

Sounds great for a "terminal type" home rig on a cable modem/router,
but how the crap could you connect it to anything? I figure it's like
those machines you see hanging on the wall in examining rooms in
hospitals, etc., but they all have the usual USB and network hookups
on the back. Anybody know?

-Thanks!
 
ResellerRatings has a bunch of reviews for really unprofessional services
rendered by a place called "MainPC Computer Inc."
Click to expand...

Michael, Thanks! I figured the dealer sucked. That's kind of a given
with those "first page" Pricewatch places. I just can't figure out
what that style of computer would typically be used for. There has to
be some means of connecting it to something??
 
Cauley Felps:
Sounds great for a "terminal type" home rig on a cable modem/router,
but how the crap could you connect it to anything?
Click to expand...

It's cheap as hell. A disposable PC. I'm wondering if it would make a good
MAME machine. Just enough power and MAME doesn't require any fancy video
or sound cards.
 
I'm wondering if it would make a good MAME machine
Click to expand...

Funny, I happen to be in the middle of building one of those myself,
but I've always thought it was overkill to put anything faster than a
fast PII/slow P3 in an "emulator only" box. I guess the games I like
don't pull all that much. I'm into old sidescrollers and space games
(Astroblaster, R-Types, Lifeforce), as well as the old standards
(PacMan, DonkeyKong). All relatively weak CPU junk.

The one I'm doing also needs one of those BladeT64 cards, so I can use
some fixed frequency old Mac displays here. My plan for getting stuff
off and on is via network. If I can get back on this first small MAME
machine and finish it, I was planning to do a larger one. Those SlimPC
things might actually work for that (thanks for the idea).

-Take Care

PS- Still wondering about those things, if anybody finds out.
 
Cauley said:
Does anyone here know what that is?

Pricewatch has a bunch of listings for really cheap Athlon machines
from a place called "MainPc Computer Inc."

Here's the details page
http://www.maincomp.com/shop/product.jsp?id=472&pw=#0

which reads:
-Slim ATX case
-Embedded Processor & 128MB Memory
-IDE CDROM, 20GB HD
-32MB Shared Video, Onboard Sound
-No Modem, LAN, USB or Parallel Port
-No Expansion Slots/Drive Bays
-Limited Warranty (30 Days)
-Generic Keyboard & mouse
(Note: Memory and CPU can not be Upgraded)

Sounds great for a "terminal type" home rig on a cable modem/router,
but how the crap could you connect it to anything?
Click to expand...

No LAN or USB sorta limits it's 'greatness' on a cable modem/router,
wouldn't you say?
I figure it's like
those machines you see hanging on the wall in examining rooms in
hospitals, etc., but they all have the usual USB and network hookups
on the back. Anybody know?
Click to expand...

No way to know from those specs but I'd bet it's a PCChips motherboard as
they seem to be the main purveyor of those kind of limited 'junk PC' boards.

I wouldn't touch anything with a processor spec of 'has one'.
 
Cauley Felps:
Funny, I happen to be in the middle of building one of those myself,
but I've always thought it was overkill to put anything faster than a
fast PII/slow P3 in an "emulator only" box. I guess the games I like
don't pull all that much. I'm into old sidescrollers and space games
(Astroblaster, R-Types, Lifeforce), as well as the old standards
(PacMan, DonkeyKong). All relatively weak CPU junk.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have a P3 sitting in the closet waiting for a new life as the
heart of my MAME machine. I also play the classics almost exclusively
and truthfully, I can play them on a 486 using Vantage or an old version
of MAME.

What I'm concerned about is PinMAME. The whole family loves PinMAME and
I think it requires considerably more juice than MAME. I'm not sure the
P3 will be up for the task.

My goal is to build a cabinet based off this Virtua Fighter alternate:
http://images.webmagic.com/klov.com/images/10/1076244892.jpg
The one I'm doing also needs one of those BladeT64 cards, so I can use
some fixed frequency old Mac displays here.
Click to expand...

I have a 20" arcade monitor out of a Sega Turbo but I think it will need
a cap kit before it works. I'm dreading it.
My plan for getting stuff off and on is via network.
Click to expand...

Same here. I think I may actually set up a wireless network, 802.11g and
connect my PC, MAME cab & Xbox.
 
Mac said:
What I'm concerned about is PinMAME. The whole family loves PinMAME and
I think it requires considerably more juice than MAME. I'm not sure the
P3 will be up for the task.
Click to expand...

I absolutely _love_ PinMAME too. Best emulator ever made. :)

Generally, it requires about 1.3 Gigs to run (most) tables decent
but I would recommend 2.5 for perfect experience.
 
I absolutely _love_ PinMAME too. Best emulator ever made. :)
Click to expand...


I had heard the name, but never used it. I probably will over the next
couple days after all this testimony. The cab I was setting up is
running advancemame. I'm trying to see that it can double as an MP3
jukebox and handle all the fixed frequency work.

-George
 
JP:
I absolutely _love_ PinMAME too. Best emulator ever made. :)

Generally, it requires about 1.3 Gigs to run (most) tables decent
but I would recommend 2.5 for perfect experience.
Click to expand...

That's what I was afraid of. I run it on a 2.53Ghz P4 machine and it runs
perfectly, but I doubted the old P3 would be able to run PinMAME.
 
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