neo-ninja Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 Hi All, After installing rear parking sensors i fancy another little project and am thinking about a Carputer, i have seen a few threads on here and other site but really was wondering some of the below questions: I fancy using a laptop as my "carputer" as this means i take away and use it when not at home, what does this mean interms of auto turning on when ignition starts etc? If i use a laptop i think i should still be able to use a touchscreen in the center console i just need to wire the screen in but how do i route the cables to the box behind the passenger seat? Is it worth considering the connection to the car ecu to get readout etc or is this just a pointless waste of time? am i being mad and really should i just buy an ipad and make it fit in the dash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James B Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 ipad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunGodRA Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 I haven't updated this thread for a couple of weeks: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=40282&hilit=+project+zac but I now have most of the components and due to install soon ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted October 3, 2010 Author Share Posted October 3, 2010 ah interesting I will have to follow it, do you still not think its cheaper to use a laptop? and connect that to a touchscreen? A decent enough laptop with ample power to do what needs to be done, can be picked up for £150-300 from MCS and then you have the option of using it should you need it outside the car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 ah interesting I will have to follow it, do you still not think its cheaper to use a laptop? and connect that to a touchscreen? A decent enough laptop with ample power to do what needs to be done, can be picked up for £150-300 from MCS and then you have the option of using it should you need it outside the car? MCS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted October 3, 2010 Author Share Posted October 3, 2010 yeah the refurb dell warehouse site... basically evertime you order a dell you have a 15 day cool off period, all the pcs that people buy then dont want Dell cant sell as new so MCS sell cheaper as refub you still get 3 years dell warranty on most etc.. Really good site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 yeah the refurb dell warehouse site... basically evertime you order a dell you have a 15 day cool off period, all the pcs that people buy then dont want Dell cant sell as new so MCS sell cheaper as refub you still get 3 years dell warranty on most etc..Really good site. so like their outlet sites? Can you popst a linky? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunGodRA Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 http://lmgtfy.com/?q=mcs+dell come on Anders - you asked for that! ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 routing the cables is easy enough through the centre tunnel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 http://lmgtfy.com/?q=mcs+dell come on Anders - you asked for that! ;-) yah supossed I got that one coming... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 http://lmgtfy.com/?q=mcs+dell come on Anders - you asked for that! ;-) yah supossed I got that one coming... lol i didnt as i didnt want to get in trouble, but yeah i have found them very good. Also i you call them up quite often you can haggle a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 ipad! How odd! your message never appeared... I am tempted to try it with an Ipad as then it saves the hastle of wiring etc... i havent messured anything though so no idea even if it would fit, probably not. I just dont like the idea of spending money on something that potentially wont be that used where as if I used a laptop of ipad, i could take them out and use them when i wasnt in the car.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 routing the cables is easy enough through the centre tunnel mmm its odd i cant find anything on this, do you have any links by any chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted October 6, 2010 Author Share Posted October 6, 2010 So a quick update i have managed to source the below parts for my carputer: Lilliput 7" touch screen £140 The pc - £150 mini itx board intel atom dual core 1.6bghz processor 500gb hdd 2gb ram case Extras dc-dc power supply - so the pc will boot and shut down correctly- £20 windows 7 - student edition - £35 Usb 5m cable - £5 hdmi 5m cable - £5 So the total is around £355 which seems like quite alot for a car pc (you could probably build a basic pc or use a oldish laptop for around £100-£50) - im also wondering do i need to buy something special to get the screen to fit in the dash as some of the guides say you need to buy the mechanical gps dash cubby others dont say anything - any ideas? Also what about routing cables to glove box behind passanger seat? any diagrams? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 So a quick update i have managed to source the below parts for my carputer: Lilliput 7" touch screen £140 The pc - £150 mini itx board intel atom dual core 1.6bghz processor 500gb hdd 2gb ram case Extras dc-dc power supply - so the pc will boot and shut down correctly- £20 windows 7 - student edition - £35 Usb 5m cable - £5 hdmi 5m cable - £5 So the total is around £355 which seems like quite alot for a car pc (you could probably build a basic pc or use a oldish laptop for around £100-£50) - im also wondering do i need to buy something special to get the screen to fit in the dash as some of the guides say you need to buy the mechanical gps dash cubby others dont say anything - any ideas? Also what about routing cables to glove box behind passanger seat? any diagrams? from what I read it slots but sometimes they talk about taking off the frame on the putty screen... need to get my ass in gear and sort this out myself... think I'll get a lappy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted October 6, 2010 Author Share Posted October 6, 2010 from what I read it slots but sometimes they talk about taking off the frame on the putty screen... need to get my ass in gear and sort this out myself... think I'll get a lappy... But this is what i cant work out can you just use the standard cubby or do you need to buy effectivly the one that is used for the OEM satnav without the satnav? I cant find the answer to that anywhere? Also laptop i think potentially is one of the best options as then it gives you the abilty to take it out and about when you want it etc..im seriously considering doing it with a laptop instead of an inbuilt pc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 from what I read it slots but sometimes they talk about taking off the frame on the putty screen... need to get my ass in gear and sort this out myself... think I'll get a lappy... But this is what i cant work out can you just use the standard cubby or do you need to buy effectivly the one that is used for the OEM satnav without the satnav? I cant find the answer to that anywhere? Also laptop i think potentially is one of the best options as then it gives you the abilty to take it out and about when you want it etc..im seriously considering doing it with a laptop instead of an inbuilt pc.. I'm sure I found something about this somewhere, will have a dig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 Another update just discovered this is what i need to buy to get screen in and fitted....annoyingly its not too cheap... not sure if another trader on here sells but if not if you want to do any sort of in cubby screen action you need one of these: http://www.mynismo.com/products/?id=4445 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Another update just discovered this is what i need to buy to get screen in and fitted....annoyingly its not too cheap... not sure if another trader on here sells but if not if you want to do any sort of in cubby screen action you need one of these: http://www.mynismo.com/products/?id=4445 mine has that cubby standard, look for a 02, 03 cubby online second hand though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 I'm having issues with mines as it's an 06 dash and that cubby doesn't work with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 I'm having issues with mines as it's an 06 dash and that cubby doesn't work with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted October 10, 2010 Author Share Posted October 10, 2010 ah so you to will need the new cubby you mean? The other option i have seen is that people have used a satnav cubby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 ah so you to will need the new cubby you mean? The other option i have seen is that people have used a satnav cubby. NO I need no new cubby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted October 10, 2010 Author Share Posted October 10, 2010 ah sorry andlid i meant Neilp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Yep mate I think I'm gonna end up butchering the own facelift cubby and just having the screen visible all the time. Not ideal but I can't find the parts anywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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