There are some people out there that are using the SDL builds. I'm using the Linux SDLMAME and SDLMESS version right now. Was using the Windows SDL version. I think more people gotta try these out if they haven't done it yet. Just keep the non-SDL builds on the side for testing. Haze have those Windows SDL builds on his website. http://mamedev.emulab.it/haze/
Note: Don't worry I still using the non-SDL version as well for Windows.