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Post by 1983parrothead on Jan 3, 2013 17:15:18 GMT -5
If this discussion is inappropriate, then either lock it or delete it.
I've been researching information on buying the best device for running numerous kinds of video games on numerous kinds of platforms, and I think the best is using an Asus 1225B netbook, which uses an AMD E-450 processor (fastest of all netbooks?), while several hardcore gamers believe Asus is the most reliable brand. Even some old Windows games can run well in Windows 7.
But if you want me to use an open-source handheld platform or a tablet, then I heard YouTube user qbertaddict1 suggested me to buy either a GCW Zero or both a Nexus 7 and the upcoming GameKlip for tablets, but the number of emulators is small, and I don't know whether I can exchange save states in the Nexus 7 or not.
A desktop is the most powerful, but it's bulky and harder to move around. The Open Pandora is another interesting device, but it's too expensive and probably not powerful enough to run all N64 games smoothly. And qbertaddict1 said that he tested out some affordable devices by JXD and Yinlips, and they have problems like frame-skipping.
Now what are your suggestions?
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Post by roushimsx on Jan 3, 2013 17:55:44 GMT -5
the 1225B looks pretty nice, especially with the screen size and battery life. Price seems a bit high from what I've seen on it, but it'll do you right. Get a bluetooth dongle for it (or get it with the bluetooth option, whichever is cheaper), sync a PS3 controller, and you'd be pretty much set.
Only downside about the screen is that it's a widescreen aspect ratio, so you'd be pillarboxing just about everything. If you wanted something a bit more comfortable, look for a 14" screen (which would give you the real estate about equivalent of a 12" Powerbook G4).
AndroidOS is...ok for emulators. Be ready to pay for stuff that you're used to getting for free on Windows, though. You'll also need to get something like SIXAXIS Controller App ($2) to use a PS3 controller, but it's well worth it. My HP Touchpad went from being a pretty snazzy WebOS device with a couple of neat programs I used it for to a multifunctional Android device that I use the hell out of and functions as my PS1 and GBA when I travel (thanks to my case that also functions as a stand and my PS3 controller).
Haven't messed with any other emulators on the platform (can't really justify it, honestly).
Biggest thing to worry about is what your typical playing environment is going to be. Are you looking for something that you can play on your lap wherever you go? You'll probably want a PC-based device (because on screen touch controls for emulators are AWFUL). Are you going to be playing in coach on a plane? A tablet may be a better solution depending on the laptop (that ASUS should work well in coach; it's not until you start looking at 15+ screens that they become kind of troublesome in flight).
FWIW, my general purpose emulation machine when I travel is a Toshiba A505-S6980 that I picked up back in late '09 for a work conference. It's got a T6600 that has enough horsepower to play any Saturn/PS1/DOS-based game and the battery life was pretty excellent when I got it (about 7-8hrs, though three years on it's not quite getting the same oomf), not to mention having a fullsize keyboard (important since I needed it for work when I traveled). Doesn't have the power to handle PS2/Gamecube and the GPU doesn't have the kick to handle much beyond Unreal-engine and Q3-engine stuff (I was happy to be able to play through Gothic and Vice City on it during one trip), but I've still got a good chunk of gaming history available on there.
Thing SUCKS when flying in coach (so if I don't get an emergency exit row seat, I'm playing with the Touchpad, the PSP, the DS, or reading words on a kindle).
Needless to say, I don't get too bored when I travel.
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Post by zellsf on Jan 3, 2013 18:34:34 GMT -5
Android has pretty bad input lag for emulators. I wouldn't recommend anyone to get a Android device for gaming. GCW Zero should be a much better choice, especially since it has gaming controls and doesn't rely on some silly clip-on thing. With a laptop you'll of course have the entire PC gaming library in addition to emulators, and that's an amazing game library to have on the go, but it obviously has size/weight drawbacks. Some of the better games rely on a mouse and some rely on a decent keyboard (which a random laptop might not have). Most old games run well in Windows 7. On my PC now I have games all the way from 1996 to today. Personal opinion: emulation on mobile devices isn't good, the games you're emulating are meant to be played on a TV. Get a GBA SP+, DSi XL, PSP and a Vita. That's the way to go  |
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Post by 1983parrothead on Jan 3, 2013 18:48:31 GMT -5
I listen to music (mostly video game music) on my cell phone when I travel. I'm finding a device to play comfortably in my bed. Most other Asus netbooks (such as the small 8 inch EEE PC 900) are either used, refurbished or out of stock.
I used to use a Toshiba Satellite A215-S7437 laptop from Christmas 2007 until April 27th, 2011, when a deadly tornado storm probably made the keyboard quit responding while killing around 8 or 12 people in a nearby city. Shortly after that, someone asked me if I will take their Dell Inspiron 1525 or not, and I did, and I am still using it, but it sometimes suffers auto-shutdowns when I use too much CPU Usage. And both 15 inch laptops are too hot and bulky for my bed.
I have a USB accessory that has both GCN, PS2 and XBox controller ports.
EDIT:
I even have a M3 DS Real, but the DS Lite's battery runs down fast, and my other DS handhelds I have are DSi and 3DS.
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Post by AfroRyan on Jan 3, 2013 20:04:12 GMT -5
Well, a PSP is pretty decent for emulation on the go. Beyond that, there are some solid emulators for Android devices. For standalone machines, I still use my original Xbox and aging PC. They get the job done, more or less. The only things that don't run super well are things like Sega Saturn and newer stuff like Gamecube, Wii, etc. (although I can run them).
Anyways, there's an entire forum dedicated to emulation, so this topic should probably be moved there.
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Post by akirikasu on Jan 3, 2013 22:21:25 GMT -5
I concur; conversation should be moved to emulation.
Also, I don't think the GCW Zero is a good recommendation. It appears to be a cheap piece of Chinese plastic. The CPU may be 1GHz, but it's 1GHz of MIPSII. That archetechture is ancient!
It may be old, but the PSP is still one of the best poratable emulation devices out there.
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Post by 1983parrothead on Jan 4, 2013 11:27:50 GMT -5
OK mods, move out!
Anyway, techguy348 uploaded this video showing the Dolphin emulator run on a custom-built computer (or is it a desktop?).
He suggests me to buy a PC with an "intel core i5 in it and a NVIDIA Graphics processor".
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Post by Sketcz-1000 on Jan 4, 2013 12:16:03 GMT -5
An original Xbox, modded, with an adapter to use an original Sega Saturn controller. This is my emulation workhorse. it doesn't do Saturn, but it's cheap, cheerful, looks good on an SD TV, and suits my needs.
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Post by 1983parrothead on Jan 4, 2013 15:14:38 GMT -5
I'm not ready to play it on an HDMI-compatible television, because I don't have one in my room, while I'd rather play it on my bed than on television for now. When I move into my own home sometime in a year or two, I probably will play from the television.
I don't have an XBox nor a PSP, but I already tested the Wii out in playing MAME and it is as sluggish as crap when loading any game up, while I sometimes have to manually turn it on again to run something else. Later on after I installed the Homebrew Channel, it made my Wii sometimes not fully start up when pressing the power button.
A PC is a good choice for running old Windows games and programs like the Windows version of Raiden II VS. the unfinished MAME version of Raiden II and the space-costing PS1 Raiden Project. Other reasons for me to own a Windows PC is that some emulators and video games require the mouse and/or keyboard like several Japanese home computers. Plus, it is easier to exchange save states through Windows than other OS.
My father is on a tight-budget and can't go $700 nor above at buying a device.
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Post by zellsf on Jan 5, 2013 10:19:39 GMT -5
I concur; conversation should be moved to emulation. Also, I don't think the GCW Zero is a good recommendation. It appears to be a cheap piece of Chinese plastic. The CPU may be 1GHz, but it's 1GHz of MIPSII. That archetechture is ancient! It may be old, but the PSP is still one of the best poratable emulation devices out there. Speed of CPU doesn't matter as long as it can do full speed GBA and SNES emulation, which is the most these kind of devices ever will do well. The GCW Zero looks like it can do that, the PSP can't (and also has a terrible screen). Anyway, techguy348 uploaded this video showing the Dolphin emulator run on a custom-built computer (or is it a desktop?). You're not running that on anything remotely portable. Only thing that will run that is "gaming" laptops and they have a LOT of drawbacks. |
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Alshoff
Junior Member
Now you're my friend, too!
Posts: 59
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Post by Alshoff on Jan 5, 2013 19:01:16 GMT -5
The problem with mobile devices is that they are relatively expensive, have relatively little functionality, and are outdated rather quickly. This is okay for a cell phone, but not great for gaming/emulation. An i5/i7 desktop would last a lot longer and have more uses (such as editing video or something).
I've got a Nexus 7 and I guess I could test an emulator on it, but I don't know if I'd use it for emulation. Thing about it is that it needs to connect to Windows 7 to exchange files via USB (something to do with a Media Transfer Protocol and DRM). There's no input slot for micro/SD cards, either. I get around this by using GhostCommander and transferring via FTP.
Edit: I just tried it. It sucked. At least when using the touch screen as the gamepad...
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Post by muteKi on Jan 6, 2013 2:55:10 GMT -5
An Asus G-Series Laptop is overkill but it'll play damn near everything you throw at it and it's still sorta portable (The G74SX is more a mobile desktop than anything, actually, which has its drawbacks, but I quite like it because I like having a nice big computer to take along with me on extended family-seeing trips.)
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Post by 1983parrothead on Jan 6, 2013 14:14:38 GMT -5
Using anything Windows-based lets me able to exchange save states, screen-capture gameplay footage and a few other stuff. Using other OSs makes me start all over on any video game. But now these videos now make me want an Open Pandora: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_VGuLmj-rAwww.youtube.com/watch?v=vXJ0WtWGRLENot only that, but the Open Pandora's price dropped, but I'm not sure if my father can afford the 1Ghz at $600, but the ReBirth Edition is better than nothing. However, after my father recently got scammed, then refunded after buying an Asus netbook, he thought that iThic.com (North American seller of Open Pandora) is also a scam, but I told him that several people got good feedback from it and are uploading videos on YouTube. |
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Post by opt2not on Jan 9, 2013 20:07:25 GMT -5
The GCW:Zero's kickerstarter has begun:
I've pledged for one, the hardware looks pretty slick to me, and from what I've read it can do it seems better than most of the other portable options out there.
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Post by vetus on Jan 10, 2013 13:18:27 GMT -5
I was thinking about buying a PSP as an ideal portable emulator device but then I heard that Xperia Play can play Playstation 1 and PSP games. Is that true? Also, how good is Xperia Play's controls?
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