mfenske

So I was at Best Buy yesterday and I saw this little gem: http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...#defaultAnchor based on the size this thing would make a SWEET in car computer. Mark

ProshopXB

Sweet Mark, i say do it. You never know till you try, right.

midtowndesi

Hey Mark,
I was also thinking of using an older pentium p3 thin client with about the same size specs as the one in your link. I decided to go with a laptop solution instead because my neighborhood sucks and I don't want people breaking into my car for no reason.

Slick idea though - I'm sure someone @ mp3car.com's done this or is gonna do this. =]
- sh00k

cvrefugee

Why not use an Xbox 360? It's cheaper and more media-oriented.

K-i-s-s

use a laptop there easy to tear down and very easy to mod to put in easy to access places, i was thinking of doing it with my old laptop and putting it in the glove box to fold out

midtowndesi

I would think the laptop is more media oriented since you can do so much more with it. This, of course, would be awesome if you had both the xbox and laptop in your car.

I have an ibm x41 tablet laptop in my xB and these are the following things im doing with it:
- Navigation provided by microsoft streets and trips 2006
- all my music comes from this laptop via aux port
- i have movies on it
- wireless internet connection when i need it - i've used this only twice though
- gameboy emulator with a lotta games - perfect for super mario world 2

You can even get xbox and ps2 emulators although it's a given that they're nothing like having the real units in front of you. I think the answer to this would be that having BOTH items in the car for the win! =P
- sh00k

mfenske

The saving process for this has begun. I will need the following:
-Computer
-DC/AC inverter
-Multiple battery Isolator
-2nd battery
-Monitor (likely a touch screen to mount in the oven)
-WiFi card
-GPS unit/software

That's a pretty sizeable list and not too cheap either, but when completed (quite some time from now) I think it'll be sweet. Mark

Eddieg

That'sa sweet system for the price!

Ra

I think you might wanna check on that comp and make sure it'll withstand the heat and cold in a car.

I've seen comps that would work well for cars and even made with cars in mind for cheaper.

I've also heard you should try your best to go with DC/DC if you can and a power module (can't remember i think that's what it's called) to control the computer shut down with the ignition of the car.

I've heard (mostly on MP3car.com ) that a really nice complete system can be had for around a grand. So, if you're going over that budget, you might want to rethink it and get rid of what you don't need.

JimmyFreedom

how about the mac mini?

I know this isn't a scion, but the concept is whats important.
http://tunertricks.com/blog/index.php?p=40

The mac mini is very small. Apple recently updated them with intel processors (it's possible to hack the new intel macs to duel boot into either the mac OS or windows XP) . They have wifi plus you can get bluetooth keyboard and mouse (wireless baby). You can hook it up to a small lcd screen with a USB connection. The mac mini should actually be able to fit in the little storage area in the center console. This would allow it to be hidden. A Screen could be placed where the head unit is now.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...1&nclm=Macmini

I don't know if any one has done this with a scion (at least with an apple computer).

It's just an idea. Have fun with whatever you choose to do

Djbombsquad

I ordered my mac mini and I am going to install it with the d2 head unit.

The mac mini is the wise choise imo like he said it will fit in that slot and be hiddeen so no one can see it. Second It just looks damn sweet.

I have not found a shuttle pc that is even the size of the mac mini.

Blue tooth is always nice for mouse and key board and talking about multimedia it has a remote. How about that.

Stick a phat 200 gig hd or something and you have your self music movies games etc.

JimmyFreedom

finally someone is getting the idea!

Djbombsquad

I can tell you this. My freind spent over 10k on his system to only to get jacked. Why? People were able to see it sticking out of his car.

If you are going to spend 500-3000 on a computer why risk getting broken in to. Now on the other hand if its hidden your chances are slim.

I love the remote for the mac mini any how. Nice clean simple. OSX bar non is awesome. blue tooth for keyboard and mouse and wifi for interent. I don't think you can get any better than that.

JimmyFreedom

plus i'm sure you could develop a way to take it out and use it at home when not showing it off in your ride.

jasonlm429

You may want to check out these sites first...
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1858835,00.asp
http://www.mp3car.com/
http://webpages.charter.net/cookscastle/

Hope those help you. They really helped me out.

JimmyFreedom

whats up with the size of the computer on the xB? Its way to big. I'm telling you.....Mac mini. 2 inch high, 6.5 inches wide and 6.5 inchs deep and it's only 2.9 pounds. It can do everything that giant wintel computer and then some (plus the mac's interface in cleaner and easier to use). I'm sure you can get a touch lcd screen to work with it too.

Djbombsquad

bump for jimmy.

JimmyFreedom

For any of you still watching this thread:

Apple announced today a new program that is availble in BETA form. It's called Boot camp and it allows intel macs to natively boot into either XP or Windows. No Need to hack you mac anymore. Starting with Apples next OS (10.5) you will have the option to boot into whatever Operating system you want (even linux).

No nobody will have any reason to install anything other then a mac mini in there cars. It just makes sense.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

peace[/url]

Djbombsquad

Whether you want to run Mac or Windows programs, an Apple computer may be the only computer you'll need. The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg has given the new boot manager a thumbs up.

JimmyFreedom

I can see you and I think the same Djbombsquad