Considering an in-car pc as my first project. I'll of course have to buy an '03 pocket to get the lcd to fit in easily, but as far as the cpu itself, what options do I have?

I'm looking at a bunch of different itx options like the casetronic travla... but with laptops becoming more and more affordable, could I just avoid building my own box altogether and connect the lcd to a laptop mounted into my car permanently? what are the pros and cons im looking at?

 

I would go with a small formfactor ATX. Vry easly mounted, and expandable down the road.

Sully

 

You could always buy a GNet PC, or Image-Engineering's 'In-Z PC'.

 

check out this guys project! http://www.swooby.com/z/navpc/

i want to do something similar ...

http://www.mp3car.com is a good resource also ...

 

have you checked with Chazzg?

I got my whole setup from him almost two years ago now and it is still my most favorite mod in the car!

DVD, MPEG's, Internet, OBD-II, + more. It is sweeeeeeet....

 

all_bark, how much did you pay for your setup? do you have a full list of specs/features? Thanks

 

all_bark has the Image-Engineering 'In-Z PC' I mentioned, search for it, there should be tons of threads. Or you can just pm chazzg (the owner) and ask him whatever you need to, he hasn't uploaded his site with the old information yet. http://www.inzpc.com/ Dr Bonz also has one, he has a thread on 350zfrenzy.com about it.

 

me and doc bonz are not the ones to talk with about pricing. We were the first to get his system (aka beta testers) for that we got sweetheart deals. Prices I am sure are a bit more now but if you consider stock Nav is $2k you can get that and A WHOLE LOT MORE for probably not much extra!

check my sig for what I got....

 

While laptops are affordable, think about what parts of the laptop you will have to duplicate anyway, such as input devices, display, and removable-disk drives. You will really only be using the laptop for the mobo and the hard drive. Go itx, and get the smaller footprint, versability, expandability, etc. You won't be paying more in the long run.

 

I'm definitely interested in this too. In fact, I think I posted the same question a few months back in the AV section of the forum.

Although, I'd like to put the screen in place of the stereo unit, not in the alcove above (where they mount the NAV system). This is for easier reach when touching the screen. I'd probably mount the DVD-RW up in the NAV compartment. I should be able to drive a 6.1 chan DVD, DVD-a, SACD, MP3, Divx, Mpeg, and NAV (gps) system. Instead of WinXP standard, the tablet version would prove more effective, being touch-screen-based. I'd like to minimize on KB/mouse usage.

A laptop with a remote screen would make some sense. One advantage would be that upon power-down (turn off key), WinXP would hibernate until restarted. I'm not sure if any of the current car-PCs allow this.

It's a great project.. I'll definitely do this soon.

 

Many of us have incorporated this hibernate feature into our car-pc's, through a smart power supply (such as the Opus) or other methods. I really believe that if you think the project through, you will see the laptop is not the way to go.

 

PM or email me with any Questions. Its good to hear that you still love yours Joe!!

 

chazz do you still make them, what are you using these days?

 

yes, still in full swing. the 04 nav cubbie slowed us down a little, Currently we are testing a P4 version of the unit with up to a 3 Ghz CPU.



The Standard Mid unit is a 1GHz Nehemiah Core CPU, 512MB Ram and a 40G Hard Drive, Internal DVD-rom, and comes with the Single Input 7" VGA screen, Street Atlas 2005,GPS receiver, Keyboard, RF remote(mouse),Fm Modulator,and all Cables Needed, In a Black Case.

Price on this unit is $1,599.00

Case lighting is available For this unit in your choice of , UV black light, Blue, Green, or Red For Only $30 More (See Attached)

Current Specials for this unit Include: An optional Media upgrade from the Standard DVD Rom to a CDRW/DVD Combo Drive for only $50 more!! (a $150 dollar Value)
An optional EMS ODB II Add-on for only $99.00 (A $150 dollar Value)
An optional Slot Exhaust Fan Free!! (requires use of 1 PCI slot)
An optional Upgraded Back Lit "Glow in the Dark" USB keyboard Free*


all units come with the 350ZInterface, full Illustrated Instructions( in a ms word format). and an optional Talking AI interface from http://www.taylormacintosh.com/amanda.htm



The AMaNDA interface is not sold By us, it is only offered as an option for the Customers to Purchase on thier own. The AMaNDA Interface will work well with out a touch screen, But is Designed to work WITH one.

 

That is the hype. I'm definitely doing this, but will wait for the faster processor / more ram / bigger HD. Please make sure to provide at least 2 USB ports so that I can hook up an external HD to it.

Also, are 9" touch-screens available?

And, what OS is it running?

Cheers.

 

do if they have the stock 2003 NAV system.

So you have a package available for people with stock NAV?

Thanks
Mark

 

9" are to big, the nav compartment on an 03 will only fit a 7" and you can run whatever OS you want. XP is prefered by most but I run 2K!

 

I just measured the radio compartment (not the NAV one) and it will fit an 8.5" screen easily. A 9" would fit too, with a little bit hidden under the bezel.

THAT is where I plan on putting my screen. Not in the NAV box.

 

I got to see Chazz's setup on a Z here in Dallas. Its GREAT!! I am giving thought of getting one of these myself. Definently a good investment.