[Best Electronics Atari 7800 Unboxing]

It's still pretty solid. I leave it hooked up over my 2600 but play mostly 2600 games on it thanks to the Harmony Cart. I eventually got a set of the official controllers and boy do they suck. I never did pick up the Euro 7800 controllers. I was hoping to get some modded controllers from Golden Axe but since his health issues, that hasn't really been possible.

 

I have picked up a couple homebrews since I wrote this that all work fine on the 7800. Vault Assault is really the only game I own that doesn't work right on the console but it is only a so-so title anyway so that's no real loss.

[My New Chromebook (March 2013), Unboxing]

Hmm, well I wouldn't get this Samsung 3 model anymore as several new units are releasing this holiday that look to be a bit better than mine. The HP 14 (14.4'') and Acer C720 (11.6'') both look really good. The HP 11 (11.6'') looks less good but uses a microusb cable for power and video out so you can use the same AC unit as your phone and other mobile devices which could be really cool.

 

If you have a desktop computer or another "primary" computer at home that runs Windows or OS X, there is an included app on the chromebook called Chrome Remote Desktop that is pretty useful and lets you sync with your main computer to do all your work and get around the software limitations on Chrome OS. Chrome OS's big problem right now is that there is just a lack of software available for it. since I got mine, there have been a lot more offline apps made available for the OS but it is still leagues behind all the stuff you can get on Windows or OS X.

 

I'm not crazy for the Google Docs apps that come with Google Drive either. They just aren't very responsive for me and I don't like how they work (ie opening a new window always generates a new file in my drive) but I don't really have to do a lot of office type work. I really just want something that I can connect to the web on since that's where I get all my entertainment from. The chromebook is great for that. I've got mine hooked up to a 24'' LED these days so I really only have to deal with the built-in screen when I'm away from my desk and I've gotten used to its poor quality I think as it doesn't really bug me anymore. Printing is kind of ass backwards. You have to use a Cloud Ready printer or print to a machine that is plugged into a Windows/OS X computer. You can install a full Linux distro on them though and I've done that to get around some of the software issues but since my needs are so minimal, I almost never do that. I've fallen into using my Nexus 7 and smartphone to do things my chromebook can't do and that works super well for me.

[Best Electronics Atari 7800 Unboxing]

So you have your choice between a couple of different generic controllers. I got the ones pictured with the grip, but there's also a pair that look more closely like a 2600 joystick (just with extra fire buttons). When I emailed Best about my order, he offered an upgrade whereby I'd trade in my generics and be able to choose between a single pro-line or a Euro 7800 controller for a couple bucks extra.

 

I opted to go with the generics just to have two controllers but Best sells refurbished pro-lines and Euro 7800 pads as well so I'm planning to order those eventually. They aren't terribly expensive but since I was already $200 with the console and games, I figured I'd wait a month before getting the other controllers.

 

Here's the controller catalogue for Best. I definitely don't recommend the Pro-Line sticks unfortunately. I thought the Grip would be nice but I hate these things for all the same reasons I hate the original 2600 controller. Awkward to hold, not as responsive as I'd like, and I feel like it's going to come apart when I play some more intense games. Plus that top-mounted fire button isn't all that useful. The CX-78 (aka Euro 7800 controller) looks really good. Or check out the link SpaceWare put in his comment for Golden Axe's modded NES controllers. I haven't tried those out but that should work pretty good as well.

[Best Electronics Atari 7800 Unboxing]

@SpiceWare I haven't tried this homebrew of yours out yet. I'll check it out now! Thanks for the heads up!

 

A modded NES controller would be pretty nice. I was thinking about ordering a Euro 7800 pad from Best. Man, I get paid on Thursday and I can already see the check flying out the window

 

Speaking of the 8-bit computers, I finally got around to picking up an 800XL too. Hope it doesn't make me forget about my 7800...

[Sega Master System trade-in]

Good luck with the Dreamcast! I never could get my hands on one that had a good laser.