I posted something similar a while ago on mp3car dot com but I wanted to post here because we all have the Z in common.

I realize that most people prefer to use a non-laptop but this is a work laptop so it's more economical. Of course with it being a work laptop, I can't chop it apart.

Laptop
Windows XP Professional SP2
Lilliput 7” VGA Touchscreen 619GL-70NP LCD monitor
Regulating power supply for Lilliput
FM modulator to play the music to the radio speakers from the laptop

How do I connect the laptop to the Lilliput LCD screen? Does the Lilliput come with a vga cable?
How do I connect the laptop audio to my car speakers? FM modulator or something else?
I want to only use laptop battery power for now. (I know you guys probably hate this)
Couldn't I also use the rear cigarette lighter for power?
I want to install the laptop in my trunk.
Can you tell me anything else that I would need for this setup to work?
Oh yeah, I dont mind turning on the laptop manually

 

Most laptops have a VGA or DVI output and I'm almost positive the Lilliput has a VGA or DVI input as well. If you don't have an aftermarket stereo system, one method would be to use an FM tuner on the laptop sound output, and just tune the radio in to listen to it. FM tuner method would work, but you would get the typical FM tuner "buzz" and isn't really the ideal way to do it. To use the stock stereo, if you have Bose, you'd want to connect the laptop to the aux input on the deck. The stock non-Bose unit is a POS, buying a new decent deck vs. trying to get an line-in function for the stock unit, I would just opt to by a decent deck. I've never really looked into keeping the stock non-Bose head unit, so anyone else can chime in on that.

Using the battery power on the laptop is fine, depending on if the laptop stays in the car. Just get a car charger for the laptop and hardwire it into the cigarette lighter and it would be semi-permanent power source for the laptop.

TK

 

You can connect your laptop to the Lilliput using a VGA connector. Just use an appropriate cable. The Lilliput LCD you mention supports touch screen, so you can operate your laptop by pushing on “screen buttons” displayed on the Lilliput’s LCD. You need software to implement this (touch-screen) function.

The best way to send sound from your laptop to your car’s CES is connecting the sound-out port (probably labeled as headphone) from your laptop to the AUX input on your H/U. You have a single plug in your laptop for sound, but that divides to two wires (right and left channels) you plug into the AUX input on your H/U. If your H/U does not have an AUX input, I would replace the H/U with one that has this feature. FM modulators sound awful.

To supply power past what the battery provides, you only need to buy a 12v converter. That device will be specific to your laptop and available from the PC manufacturer. If you "hardwire" the converter, I would suggest keeping any inline fuse in place, and buying a power input that you connect to the converter. That way you protect the device as the manufacturer intends.

The CarPC guys seem to dislike laptops and favor full PC boxes. That’s because a box allows more customization. The Z has a generous space behind the seats making it a great candidate for a CarPC installation. But, laptops solve a lot of problems you must overcome when installing a PC box. Laptops have components (i.e., the HD) designed for environmental shocks (e.g., temperature changes, physical bumps, etc.), and laptops have superior power management features. If I had to choose (and if fact I did) a computer to install in a car, it would definitely be a laptop.

With this said, I think CarPC’s are stupid. It’s nothing more than a toy. Outputting video to a tiny 7” screen is less than optimal viewing and function when any laptop has a 12” to greater size screen that provides a superior view. You can equip your laptop with a cellular card that allows internet access almost anywhere. You get much better function and viewing by simply placing a laptop on the passenger seat (or having a passenger hold and operate the laptop). When driving your car, it isn’t safe to operate a computer. If you are sitting in your car when it is parked, it’s much easier to operate a laptop with its larger screen than a CarPC’s tiny 7” screen.

--Spike

 

Thx TK and Spike!

For guys that have their PC in the trunk:
How long is your VGA cable that connects to the LCD monitor?
How long is your audio cable that connects to the H/U aux inport?
Does my stock HU allow me to connect the laptop audio to my car speakers?
I have a '05 enthusiast with the non-Bose stereo system.
Oh yeah, I agree about the toy part. That's why I want to use my work laptop.
This way I spend as less money as possible.

My Granny wants me to get a GPS and I want to watch DVDs.
Well, not me watching DVDs but I think it would be neat for my passenger (when I have one) to be able to watch a movie.
I know I can get the portable GPS units, but I think it would be more authenic to have to one using the Z's built in cubby.
This all came about because my stock CD player stopped working. It doesnt play MP3s so I was going to upgrade anyway. A CD is stuck in my CD player right now. I guess even if I got one of these Kenwood DVD/MP3 players, the same think could happen with a DVD or MP3 disc so I'd be back to square one.
I thougt about getting one of these Kenwood DVD/MP3 players but then I stumbled upon what a Car PC is. At least with the Car PC I don't have to worry about my CD, DVD or MP3 disc getting stuck. Then again, I've seen a disc get stuck in a Dell laptop cd drive. You would press eject and nothing would happen.

 

if the laptop is just gonna lie in the hatch area...consider a wiring fuss
1. vga
2. usb
3. power
4. sound output
5. usb for addl keyboard
6. usb for gps

i went with a laptop and it does the job.
i said 7 inch was a joke for a carpc screen....