Thread: Why DIDN"T you choose a MacMini as you CarPC?

Plus all the good front ends run on Windows, the majority being free...

Hello all, very interesting responses.

Firstly, let me expound on my reason for this post. As a newbie to carpc with limited space in my car, the MiniMac's form factor is very appealing and given the ability of the latest OS to allow for Mac & Windows I thought this was the best of both worlds.

Also, given that I do have an iPod the integration would be awesome, (I know this works great on everyone's Windows PC also); The stability of the MAC OS etc. Then I can also have the flexibility of switching to Windows for all the other apps. that I may want to run. That's my thinking.
I'm starting to like those nice front ends i'm seeing and the different neat apps. folks are running, etc.

I have not chosen a system yet, hence my curiousity for other's decision(s) so that I can make my decision.


Thanks..

I'd say most everyone has hit the nail on the head. If you only intend to run Windows, the only reason to buy the Mini is if you require the same form factor and capabilities in that package.

I'll offer up that although I run the Mac Mini, it is the PPC version. I've been wanting to explore the Windows front ends. However, I chose not to upgrade to an Intel Mac Mini but instead purchase the Intel Little Valley board because it was dirt cheap. I got full flexibility in hardware choices, but the setup I ended up with doesn't fit where the Mini does now. So - there you have a real life example of an Apple fan-boy buying a PC.

As for stability of the OS, yes OS X is stable, but so is Windows in a Car PC. A car PC is a very different kind of computer. It is basically an appliance in your automobile. It doesn't get jerked around like your desktop PC and once you wrap a nice front end on it, you won't be able to tell if it is Windows, Apple, or Linux. I wouldn't worry too much about the stability issues.

One thing many people discount is that the Mini comes with a built in Car PC application - Front Row. Not only that, it comes with a remote control. After wiring it up, you already have a built in front end that plays music, video, DVD's, photos and so on. They've started hacking the new Front Row and you can add plug ins to it now. That's bound to show up in the Car PC environment.

But software-wise, that's all the Mini has going for it in the car. You surely can run Windows on it, but as others have pointed out, why do that instead of just buying a Windows box?

Well, maybe you like the form factor and the features in the Mini. Which brings us full circle. If you like those, the Mini is for you. If you don't, you can build one out of practically spare parts for next to dirt.

Wow. Thanks allot. You've all provided some great insight to my decision making.

I''ll keep everyone posted on my final purchase decision.