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Topic: While we are on the computer subject.... (Read 1413 times) previous topic - next topic

While we are on the computer subject....

Anyone ever done any reasearch or installed a carputer, or am I the only nerd in here that thinks it would be cool to have an actual pc in dash?

Computer
http://www.xenarc.com/product/mp-fl8.html

Monitor
http://www.xenarc.com/product/700IDT.html
http://www.xenarc.com/product/700ts.html

Software
http://www.xenarc.com/product/imobile.html

There are others out there, but these are a few I have been looking at.

Re: While we are on the computer subject....

Reply #1
I wouldn't mind one, but I would want to make sure that it could be 100% hidden from view when the car is parked and locked. Don't need some idiot busting up my car to swipe the monitor or something like that. Maybe one of those monitors that you can mount on the sun visor.. flip it up and hope that's enough cover.. flip it down so the passenger can use it on the road for GPS or movies or whatever.

Re: While we are on the computer subject....

Reply #2
Although it would be a nice project, I work at computers all day. I don't have time or the interest to do anything with my home computer at the end of the day. I diffently don't want one in the car. If I ever did, I'd just buy a laptop.

Re: While we are on the computer subject....

Reply #3
Already have the laptop, here. (XP2000+, half a gig RAM, etc.) It's somewhat awkward for the passenger to use.. pretty big.

Re: While we are on the computer subject....

Reply #4
Where I live, the local school system that I used to work for has wireless internet between all the buildings.  With a simple wireless antenna I could have the power of the internet at my hands or passenger's hands at any time!  **Best mad scientist laugh**  I work on them all day too, but I like being able to connect at any time.  And with a voice interface, you could get directions, movie times, make reservations at a restaurant, anything (I'm a big spur of the moment guy).  You could also add additional monitors in the back and show movies via the built-in dvd player.  The possibilities are endless.

Re: While we are on the computer subject....

Reply #5
The only reason I would have/need a computer in the car would be for programming/tuning an ECU....I have a small laptop for that.

I don't need internet access in my car or an entertainment center either....
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Re: While we are on the computer subject....

Reply #6
yeah I am makeing one of these bad ideas. I plan on having a motherboard and a few parts by the end of next omnth.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com


Re: While we are on the computer subject....

Reply #8
http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/ice%2Dunit/here is a car pc or carputer
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

 

Re: While we are on the computer subject....

Reply #9
That drivesoft looks like decent enough software, but I dont really like the hardware they are using.  I'd like a setup that give the appearance that everything is stock.  Motorized in-dash touch screen monitor, cpu mount below the passenger seat, or in the center console's arm rest.  Having another means of monitoring and logging engine performance or lack thereof would be another plus.