Thread: iPad gets fitted into car dashboard, makes you an instant carpooling superstar

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Okay seriously, how are these issues any different from a car PC install?

Yes, my computer and my screen are not all-in-one but if the computer breaks, I'm out of business. It costs more than the iPad to replace. If the screen breaks, I'm out of business. It costs about 2/3 what an iPad costs.

I agree that it's pretty stupid to mount that thing in there without being able to remove it, but I would point out that it was mounted in the space of 1 day. A more careful installation would probably be able to work out a docking mechanism that would allow it to be removed for security.

And in fact, if you think it through, which they didn't because they wanted to get the most number of hits on their website as possible rather than make a killer iPad install, they don't have a way to sync the iPad with new music because you have to take it out of the car to connect it to the computer.

I can certainly understand you not liking the iPad because it is shiny and has an Apple logo on it but I really don't see how installing $500 worth of electronics in your car is somehow stupider than installing $1,000 in electronics solely because the $1000 package isn't bundled together with the screen.

It is no where as near expensive to replace a system that is seperated because your only replacing that one part. If the screen breaks, either buy a new one, or replace the part inside that died. Now an exception is if you have a transflective screen, yea, then maybe your f&*ked. Even then though a simple part change will most likely fix it.

So say I spent $1000.00 on my seperated setup..... The screen breaks, it costs me about $75.00 to fix it because the control board took a cr@p. You buy an iPad..... $500.00. It breaks sometime later and is out of warranty, you have to throw down another $500.00 which brings you to the cost of the bigger and most likely better setup! I understand intergration in an all in one saves time and effort but it can also be a double edged sword and bite you in the @$$ later.

It's not being recharged by the car batteries and where is the audio connection, etc...It was cool to watch them work, though, but I don't think they can consider it done yet.

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

I agree that it's pretty stupid to mount that thing in there without being able to remove it, but I would point out that it was mounted in the space of 1 day. A more careful installation would probably be able to work out a docking mechanism that would allow it to be removed for security.

Originally Posted by Tripsero-the-car-theif

I second the dock + leaving it in the car always idea.

Originally Posted by malcom2073

Am I missing something? The ipad is <$300? You aren't seriously arguing price are you? Where are you getting your parts? The entire computer component of my carpc cost $300, and you can get a lilliput monitor for as cheap as $150. Perhaps I'm missing something here?

That being said, I agree that the issues you run into are not so different than a normal carpc install. With a carpc you can replace individual components, whereas an ipad you have to replace the entire thing. This could be a good thing, as it reduces the amount of troubleshooting you have to do to fix an issue.

Yep, you're missing something. I use a Mac Mini as my computer. $599. I also have an 8" Xenarc touchscreen, which is more than the 7" screen. $349.

My point was you simply can't argue that an iPad is somehow 'inferior' because it is more stealable. ALL car PC gear is up for grabs around thieves. Whatever parts you leave behind - screen, PC, keyboards, mice, are all just as easy to steal whether it says Lilliput or Apple on it. It doesn't make any sense that a thief would steal only the mobo but not memory, HDD or the DVD drive, screen or other gear.

As for one piece being more expensive to replace, maybe. On the other hand, maybe you could have it repaired for less than a new one. Of course, it IS a double edged sword. I suppose we should have stuck with these to keep that from happening with our cell phones. Sure would make repairs cheaper:


I'd expect the price of the iPad to drop going forward anyhow. In a couple of years, you'll get them in blister packs at Wal-mart checkouts.

wawo,That is so cool.I think it will be a key selling point for this car.

You had to see this coming. And I am sure the first time someone gets in a wreck with an iPad mounted in their car it will make big headlines, but it's not much worse than texting or even talking on the phone.

I wonder if Apple will ever see fit to make an iCar. Unfortunately, the double DIN standard is long dead, and it takes a very skilled hobbyist or an expensive metra kit to make anything after-market look nice.

Originally Posted by jdwk

You had to see this coming. And I am sure the first time someone gets in a wreck with an iPad mounted in their car it will make big headlines, but it's not much worse than texting or even talking on the phone.

I wonder if Apple will ever see fit to make an iCar. Unfortunately, the double DIN standard is long dead, and it takes a very skilled hobbyist or an expensive metra kit to make anything after-market look nice.

Actually just having one mounted in the car will make you liable for any accident that you get into where there would otherwise be equal fault. These are no different than other laptops mounted in car (which have no in-car safety features).

My carpc got stolen. The thief left the screen though . I'm willing to bet that popular items get stolen more than obscure items (like a carpc). But yeah, that doesn't really mean it won't work in the car, or that it's inferior. I just think whoever installs it need to take extra precautions so it doesn't get stolen.

I think it's a less-optimal solution because of it's size (software and openness aside). I guess if you've got the room or don't care about what it's covering up, go for it! If only there was a tablet that was 7-8", ran Linux, and could work in the car... Oh wait, here's one: http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook. It even runs android if that's your love.

Everyone crapped on my install over the last 10+ years and now that Apple has something that can be *used* (not) installed similarly, its all the rage.