Scafremon, have you considered the flexATX format? It's very tiny, and there are some amazingly small cases available using that format. Shuttle, for example, makes full (but tiny) machines using the flexATX spec. The dimensions are 82(w) x 43(h) x 190(d) mm. Here is a link to the latest model:

http://www.spacewalker.com/english/m...asp?number=198

I've never seen one in person, but I believe Anandtech or Sharkyextreme had a review of them a while back. Seem pretty darn cool for such a tiny machine.

 

Yes, I am considering the Shuttle for the computer, but that website messed up a bit on those dimensions. That equates to 3.25" x 1.75" x 7.5"! Now that is small!

Actual shuttle dimensions are 200(w) x 181(h) x 280(d)mm, which is about 8" x 7.125" x 11". Still a very small computer. Right now, I am playing around with a mini-atx motherboard, which is about 7" x 7", and connecting a hard drive and dvd drive. It's not Pentium 4 speed, but runs at 800mhz, and is a very low heat generating cpu, so a small fan, and runs very quiet. By using components, I can locate (hide) them easier. But, I'm still undecided on what will be best option.

Thanks for the link though! Here's one to a site about the Mini itx

 

Ah yes, I had forgotten about mini-itx. That's some small stuff! Great for a car-based computer. You could easily fabricate your own enclosure that would perhaps fit in the storage compartment behind the passenger seat.

As far as cpu, the lower the heat and power, the better. A friend of mine is big into HAM and gps stuff (and linking them together) and he built up a custom rig that he installed in his 4-Runner. It's a pentium2 computer with all the trimmings. The darn thing uses so much juice he can run his truck's battery dead if he forgets to switch it off. (Well, that combined with his transmitter amp for his HAM. He can hit the transmit button in his truck, and make all the computer monitors in our entire office building flicker.)