midtowndesi

I'm wondering how people have mounted laptops (or even desktops/mini computers) into their boxes! I'm trying to create a laptop mount for a small (2.7 lb) laptop and I need some ideas... When I open up the laptop a complete 180 degrees, i want the screen to be hovering in front of the stock HU and the "bottom" portion of the laptop to be hovering over the temp controls! I can fold the monitor closed if i need to access the HU and if i need to access the temp controls, i can temporarily "lift" the laptop or slide it or something like that...

Anyway! Show me the money! I mean pictures!
- sh00k

TheSpillmonkey

http://www.spillmonkey.com/scion

those are my current pics. some has changed.
i have a whole writup of it somewhere. ill post it later

JSosa

^^^^^^^^^Very nice, very clean, but that definately doesnt look like an easy task...

wombat

Well, I dont have any pics right now...Im busy working on moulding in a 7" touch screen and putting a mini computer under the passenger seat. Not quite what your doin but same principal. My dash is gonna be hard to figure out.
Its gonna go like this..top down..
7" lilliput touchscreen
1 din Alpine center channel
slot load dvd drive with 1 or 2 USB ports next to it.
heater controls moved lower to fit that stuff (probably taking up space in the storage area.

Lots of moulding and fitting, but it should all fit ok and be easy to get too.

midtowndesi

Wow, very slick setup man! what front-end is that?

ps - family guy rocks! ;]

TXboxdriver

what kind of PC's are these
if u just want it to play media (no gaming,no WEB access)
there are other smaller options that do very well

just my 2¢

kmcniece

My Dash
My Dash again
My case
My Case again

midtowndesi

I hear you!

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...927-89307.html

I have one of these at work. The install in my xB, however, i want to make "portable" (i can take out the carpc/laptop when i am leaving the car) so that's why i didnt' go the thin client route... they're tiny as hell though and have win xp installed on a solid-state drive! drive speed is fast as hell! ;]

OMAC

I have been thinking of getting an Aopen mini PC for my XB.

http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/22/a...i-pc-reviewed/

midtowndesi

That is a pretty cool mini-mac looking case...

I had actually built a carPC for my h2 last year - this is the case that i used: the Travla C150 - http://www.mini-itx.com/news/2004/01/ - it's the first pic on there...

I wound up scrapping the project because i didn't want to be held responsible if i fried anything in my $65,000 truck... hahahaha!

with my box, and a simple idea... i plan to just use a laptop - like i've mentioned before... im going to be fabricating my own custom mount and im going to home depot this weekend to look for parts i can't wait...
- sh00k

TXboxdriver

by smalller options i meant something like this
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=91410

the Vantec is the Sheet
does so well at scaling video to fit with better clarity than PC LCD monitor
also play's DVD (files) better than a set-top DVDplayer
just an option, depends on your needs.....

blackedoutxb

I have some pics of my carpc on the link below. It is still a work in progress.
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=61194

midtowndesi

Very nice! ;]

where do you have your inverter hooked up to? straight to the battery?
- sh00k

blackedoutxb

yeah it is wired staright to the battery. If you do happen to use an inveter you may get some buzzing through your speakers. I had this but then i just grounded the mobo to the psu case and then grounded it to the chassis of the car. It fixed the problem 100%.

midtowndesi

Crap... In my case, i'll be using a laptop... I hope I dont have this problem... My fingers (and eyes) are crossed!
- sh00k

blackedoutxb

since you are using a laptop you shouldnt have a problem just make sure you ground your inverter and amp if you have one to the same place and scrape the paint off of the place where you are going to ground them. I would also suggest you use an external soundcard. You will get better sound quality.

midtowndesi

I went to best buy last night and bought an inverter that plugs into the cigarette lighter... Since I only forsee myself using a laptop and need a power source for it, I bought one of these rather than one of the heftier units that you would wire to the battery.

So far, i've had no problems with it. The only annoyance is that it has a cooling fan built into it and it's sorta loud... sounds like a really really old laptop with a dusty fan. l0l... you can't hear it though once I start blasting mp3s =D
- sh00k


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1110266394770