Check out my new Carputer =)
04-21-2009, 01:46 PM
#17
That's pretty awesome. Would it be any more rugged to use a solid state hard drive? I am always worried about standard hard drives holding up to bumpy cars.
I always thought it would be cool to buy one of those cheap laptops that have a solid state hard drive. Create a docking station maybe under the seat that interfaces with a touchscreen display.
I always thought it would be cool to buy one of those cheap laptops that have a solid state hard drive. Create a docking station maybe under the seat that interfaces with a touchscreen display.
"Western Digital Scorpio WD3200BEVT 320GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Notebook Hard Drive - OEM
Reliable and Rugged - WD's ShockGuard technology protects the drive mechanics and platter surfaces from shocks."
it's mounted in the carputer with shock absorbing mounts. AND the entire carputer will be mounted with rubber washers to absorb even more
04-21-2009, 01:47 PM
#18
04-21-2009, 02:04 PM
#20
250,000-mile Club President
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bizerkeley
Posts: 4,770
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
it's a laptop HDD
"Western Digital Scorpio WD3200BEVT 320GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Notebook Hard Drive - OEM
Reliable and Rugged - WD's ShockGuard technology protects the drive mechanics and platter surfaces from shocks."
it's mounted in the carputer with shock absorbing mounts. AND the entire carputer will be mounted with rubber washers to absorb even more
"Western Digital Scorpio WD3200BEVT 320GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Notebook Hard Drive - OEM
Reliable and Rugged - WD's ShockGuard technology protects the drive mechanics and platter surfaces from shocks."
it's mounted in the carputer with shock absorbing mounts. AND the entire carputer will be mounted with rubber washers to absorb even more
But despite all the WD marketing hype, I'd still be looking to upgrade to SSHD before long, the weak link in the whole rig is going to prove to be that hard drive, and believe me I've been through enough laptop hard drives to know
04-21-2009, 02:14 PM
#21
http://www.computerworld.com/action/...intsrc=kc_feat
maybe someday when the price goes down!
04-21-2009, 02:16 PM
#23
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Car Info: LUMPY CGM 05 WRX
This is really cool.So thoreticcaly I could hook m broadband blackberry up to it and get internet Anywhere. I may just have to copy cat you on this because I am so unoriginal. J/K thats awesome.
04-21-2009, 02:18 PM
#24
04-21-2009, 02:26 PM
#25
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I am kinda curious what you spent on software and if you would be down to help fellow I clubber out if I decided to do somthing similiar. I am wondering if there is a radio ap you can get to run on it as well. That would be cool.
Deffinately awesome.
How do you type? all on the touch screen or miniature USB Keyboard?
04-21-2009, 02:34 PM
#26
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Car Info: 02 WRX wagon
that looks pretty awesome.
how is the carputer hooked up to the amp? via a 3.5mm plug to rca cable? can you fade from front to back?
how long does it take to boot up? and how does it handle the transition from when you are turning the key to crank the starter?
how is the carputer hooked up to the amp? via a 3.5mm plug to rca cable? can you fade from front to back?
how long does it take to boot up? and how does it handle the transition from when you are turning the key to crank the starter?
04-21-2009, 02:50 PM
#27
the carputer does 5.1 audio, but I only have 4 speakers and the OEM sub. so I'm doing 4 channel. and you can totally set the fade to whatever you want since it's 4 channel surround.
not sure exactly how long it takes to boot. i still need to turn off some windows XP services to cut it down a little more.
the power supply for it is incredible. you can set it to several different things.
right now i have it set to turn on when the key is turned to ACC, and when you shut the car off, the carputer auto shuts down too after a few seconds.
the power supply also monitors the battery. so if you change the shutdown to go into hibernate instead, that continues to use battery since it's keeping the RAM powered. if the power goes below 11v, it will do a complete shutdown automatically.
Last edited by Rescuer; 04-21-2009 at 02:52 PM.
04-21-2009, 03:02 PM
#28
and in all reality, i won't be browsing the internet while in my car
and when i'm outside the car somewhere i normally use my iphone.but the internet will be used by google earth, traffic updates, and weather.
but I did put in a wireless keyboard and mouse to use , and i can also use my iphone since i can control the carputer via remote desktop. plus you can use the windows on screen keyboard.
i'd like to get the logitech dinovo mini, but it's more than i want to spend right now and don't really need a super small keyboard
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/ke.../3848&cl=US,EN
you can also hook up XM and HD radio
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/user...les-ready.html
normal FM radio
http://www.rush2112.net/
04-21-2009, 04:01 PM
#29
the link is in the first post 
http://www.subyjeff.com/carputer.html
I did all this myself. I can't imagine what it would cost for a shop to do it. hours and hours of labor
http://www.subyjeff.com/carputer.html
I did all this myself. I can't imagine what it would cost for a shop to do it. hours and hours of labor
04-21-2009, 04:05 PM
#30
250,000-mile Club President
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bizerkeley
Posts: 4,770
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
but at least the computer will have turned itself off.