I may have found something pretty close to what I have been looking for. The only thing I do not like on it is the xm radio and mp3 player. Can some one tell me if this is what I have to choose or os there something that has every thing in this w/o xm and mp3. I have a mac mini already ready to install and that is going to be my mp3 player. http://www.garmin.com/products/sp7200/
This is the features and I will say what I want and do not need. Maybe this can better help the thread assist me in my needs.

WAAS enabled; 12 parallel channel GPS YES
Antenna: Built-in GPS patch-style antenna; MCX-type connector for external GPS antenna
Unit Dimensions: 7.5”W x 4.5”H x 2.2”D
Display: 7” (16:9) WQVGA, 480 x 234 pixel, color TFT with automatic dimming backlight and touch screen YES
Weight: 1.4 pounds
SD card slot and internal memory provides storage for MP3, audio books and additional MapSource products NO FOR MP3 AND AUDIO BOOK
Built-in speaker for radio and navigation instructions YES
Composite video input for external analog source such as backup camera YES ( MAC MINI AND REVOLUTION)
Send audio to the car stereo through the integrated FM wireless transmitter or 3.5 mm stereo headphone/line-out plug YES
User-selectable languages for voice and text YES

 

any one?

 

so your using the mac mini just for mp3s? I would suggest getting an aftermarket in dash GPS navigation unit and then using a ipod, but most aftermarket navigation unit have video/audio inputs so you will be able to hook up the mac if u still wanted to... Many units have satellite radio/mp3 playback ,but it doesnt mean u have to use them or subscribe to the service, check out navigation headunits from pioneer, eclipse, and kenwood... Hoped that helped

 

I was looking at the indash. I do not want any thing that pops out. I just want something flush. the mac mini is more than mp3's. Movies games possibly chatting I have not though of the possibilities yet. I do not want to pay for a satelite and radio nore a mp3 feature. I want to get what I pay for.

 

You want to look at Double Din in-dash navigation headunits, its a much cleaner look. And all of these units have audio/video inputs for your mac, and it cost less than the garmin unit. For satellite radio and such you have to pay a monthly service fee to use it but its optional and not required to use (just like the factory scion headunits) and for mp3 playback mostly all aftermarket headunit have the feature so I wouldnt say your paying more for it. I doubt you'll find an aftermarket navigation headunit today that doesnt play mp3s or have satellite radio...but to help you out here are some of the popular double din navigation units.

Pioneer AVIC D1
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-H0zOlZb...50&I=130AVICD1
Eclipse AVN5435
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-H0zOlZb...0&I=099AVN5435

btw what car do you have?

 

Thanks a lot man. I have a scion xb. I do not need a cd/dvd player as my mac mini does it all, it does look like it would be better supported for a sound system. What do you mean double din? Does it have optical out?

 

Double Din is the size of the headunit for example our stock deck is double din. Hmm im kinda confused with what kind of set up your looking for... u want to keep the stock deck im guessing and hooking up your mac mini for mp3s and dvd movies , but yet want navigation.. lol thats what it seems like to me. Well its either get gps software for your mini and just get a touch screen (carputer route) or get the pioneer avic d1 for navigation and hook up ur mac mini for playing movies and mp3s. I would only suggest going the carputer route only if you know what ur doing because its a lot of work. Personally i think it would be much easier and very stock looking if you went with the pioneer avic d1 and then hooking up your mac mini to it using it for playing your mp3 collection and dvd movies ( note*the dvd slot for the d1 is for the navigation software and it doesnt play dvd videos). And about the optical out question the d1 has only your regular rca audio/video input and outputs.

 

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...602044,00.html So this is what I found when I type in the avic d1. How much is this and is it look
and is it worth the wait.

 

That is the AVIC Z1 which is the new model coming out spring of 2006, It basically has everything the AVIC D1 has but instead of DVD based maps the Z1 stores all the navigation information onto the hard drive. It also allows you to carry 10gb worth of music with you too, pricing on that unit I expect it to have an msrp of about $2000 when its release.

If you were to go with the Z1 the mac mini would be kind of useless because this unit will allow u to carry your mp3s on the hard drive. I dont think the Z1 is worth it unless its about the same price as the D1 (which you can get street price around $1000 now). If your not in a rush you might want to wait and see more info on the unit.

 

it also has that nifty map remembering thing. Im not so worreid about the hd i can always have more storage. the more the more music i can have and than some videos in mp4.

 

Are you trying to just get GPS in your car? If you are thinking of creating a CarPC why just not buy the GPS antenna ($70) and the software and run it in your MacMini? Or am I missing somenthing?

Also have you checked out this page:

www.mp3car.com

Lots of help and plenty of information about carpc installs, software and hardware.

 

looked at mp3car.com do not like windows. The GPS for osx and xp was much worse than the one for the indash alone.