Car PC

[LaValva]

If you were to build a car pc (I'm planning on it) what features would you want in it... Here's what I have come up with so far:

Touch screen LCD
GPS - Any suggestions on software?
Wireless network
Ability to easily plug in external hard drives

I'm in the early planning stages, so I'm opento pretty much anything. This is going in a 95 BMW 318iS - It's a coupe, so there's not TONS of room, but enough to get it done right.

[irwincur]

I would go probably with a small Via Epia style PC (totally integrated) as well as a small silent case. One small internal HDD for system and a few external, shock protected, USB drives maybe in the trunk or back. Add a small touchscreen (I think there are reasonable 7" models on the market) and you are pretty much good to go.

You could actually put the entire PC in the back as well, and either run a long VGA or S-video cable to the monitor. VGA would look a lot better but it can be more bulky.

Last I checked, Garmin makes a GPS kit that is sold with one of the major map software packages. It is the deluxe version and it has everything including the small reciever.

[bahocale]

No comment on the pc, but I like your car. It is a bit underpowered, but the rwd hatch, makes up for that.

[LaValva]

Originally posted by bahocale
No comment on the pc, but I like your car. It is a bit underpowered, but the rwd hatch, makes up for that.

Yeah it's underpowered. I wish I would have gotten a 325. It's not the hatch though, I think you're confusing that with the TI.

[bahocale]

whoops, my bad. I should of read more carefully.

[Ramuman]

irwincur allued to it, but get a notebook HD. I've had some bad experiences with desktop HDs dying in vans.

[ksuohio]

The new iMac Mini might be good for a carputer. It is very small, has a notebook HD, and could be mounted up front giving you a dvd player as well.

[rock]

The main thing that always comes to mind when people speak of car PC is the temperature and temperature swings. I don't think PCs are built to withstand low overnight winter temps, nor daytime summer temps. Are you planning on dragging this in and out of the car whenever the temps get extreme?

Considering that, I have to suggest a nice laptop.

[ImaNihilist]

I'm totally going to see if I can get a carputer put into the new BMW 330 coming out later this year. I want to find out if there is a way to use the iDrive screen as the screen for the computer itself. That would be TOTALLY HOT.

[LaValva]

Originally posted by rock
The main thing that always comes to mind when people speak of car PC is the temperature and temperature swings. I don't think PCs are built to withstand low overnight winter temps, nor daytime summer temps. Are you planning on dragging this in and out of the car whenever the temps get extreme?

Considering that, I have to suggest a nice laptop.

I have seen many projects, and haven't heard anyone complain about temp issues. It's going to look as stock as possible, so no... It won't come out.

ImaNihilist: Sorry if this is out of line, and don't answer if it is... How are you able to get a brand new 330 as a student...?

[G19]

You may want to talk to Almost Famous. He rigged up a laptop on his 350Z a while back. ;)

http://www.rankmyride.com/?page=cars/view&CID=2987&pnum=6

[SkyDog]

Originally posted by irwincur
I would go probably with a small Via Epia style PC (totally integrated) as well as a small silent case. One small internal HDD for system and a few external, shock protected, USB drives maybe in the trunk or back...

I'll second the Epia suggestion. Its small size would be perfect, allowing you to customize an inconspicuous enclosure. And they don't use much power so they run really cool and won't require creative cooling.

Ideally, you'd run the thing from a solid state hard drive instead of a spinning disk. Even when shock mounted, use in a moving car could seriously shorten the life of a spinning disk. Solid state drives can be expensive, though, so you might need to use a regular hard drive. Just don't use a standard desktop IDE drive unless you want to replace dead drives periodically. Laptop drives are generally more shock-resistant. If you want to use a full-size drive, go with either SCSI or an "enterprise-grade" SATA drive. Those are typically built with more uptime in mind and would probably be more durable.

[ewitte]

Originally posted by LaValva

ImaNihilist: Sorry if this is out of line, and don't answer if it is... How are you able to get a brand new 330 as a student...?

I know someone who got their 16 year old son a fully loaded Escalade.

Eric

[ImaNihilist]

Originally posted by LaValva
ImaNihilist: Sorry if this is out of line, and don't answer if it is... How are you able to get a brand new 330 as a student...?

My parents love me lots.:)

I grew up as a rich south floridian jew. For comparisons sake, a 330i is nothing. My best friend had an Aston Martin DB7, and access to two matching Z8's because his dad couldn't decided between silver or blue. I <3ed the blue Z8. Haha. That's the car I learned to drive stick on. I win at life.

[LaValva]

It's not all about money... My parents aren't "extremely" wealthy, but let's put it this way. My stepdad works 2 days a week, and my mom hasn't worked for 15 years... Trust me, I'd trade in all the money, the boat, the toys for a real family... Any day. Not to get all sappy, but... yeah.

[ImaNihilist]

I duhno. I'd definately trade my brother for a DB7. Specially a DB7 with a sweet Car PC (trying to stay on topic:p )

[MrDigital]

Originally posted by ImaNihilist
I grew up as a rich south floridian jew. For comparisons sake, a 330i is nothing. My best friend had an Aston Martin DB7, and access to two matching Z8's because his dad couldn't decided between silver or blue. I <3ed the blue Z8. Haha. That's the car I learned to drive stick on. I win at life.

Do you have any single sisters who like LA boys? ;)

-MrD