Laptop VS. Desktop PC

**alvin986** · 01-04-2009, 02:37 PM

So i finally decided to start my CarPC project, but i can't decide with what should i go to...Laptop or Desktop PC.

I allready have a PC that i would put in the car, it's a Amd Athlon 2400+, 1 GB DDR 400 Mhz, Abit NF7-S mainboard,120 GB HDD and Geforce4 Ti 4200 AGP8X.
I was planning to buy a 250 power supply, that would be the base setup + WiFI, Bluetooth,GPS,TV,ODBII and some other little things.
Here's the power supply : http://store.mp3car.com/M4_ATX_250W_..._p/pwr-031.htm

Now, the other day i borrowed a laptop from a friend and connected it to my Pioneer HU (4900IB) and turned it up and it works like a charm.No noise or anything and it sounds great (better than the HU it self). Now i find my self in a conflict....Laptop or Desktop.I was thinking something like the Acer Atom for laptop use (something like the Asus Eee).
Here are the specs.

Screen:8.9" WSVGA
CPU:Intel Atom, N270(1.60GHz), 533MHz
L2 Cache: 512KB
HDD 8 GB solid state + 8 GB SD
CD-ROM External USB drive
Memory 8GB SSD+8GB SD kartica
Graphics Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Network 10/100 Mbit
Wlan 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
Multimedija Intel High Definition Audio
3D audio, speakers, MIC
Acer Crystal Eye 0.3MP camera
Mobile Intel
Mem.card reader Supporting Secure Digital (SD) Card
MultiMediaCard (MMC)
Memory Stick (MS)
Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO)
xD-Picture Card (xD)
I/O 3x USB
1 x VGA
1 x LAN RJ-45
1 x Microphone jack
1 x Headphone jack
Dimensions 249 x 195 x 36 mm

What do you guys think?

**dMand** · 01-06-2009, 12:41 AM

ultimately the decision is yours. but if I had to choose between the two you listed, I'd go with the acer laptop for versatility. It can always be removed to prevent theft.

Save yourself the head banging, avoid the M4 PSU like the plague. Get an Opus if you plan on the desktop pc route.

**alvin986** · 01-06-2009, 07:38 AM

why should i avoid M4 PSU? 230$ is too much for me to put in the powering to unit, plus i can't get it anywhere near my country.

**WuNgUn** · 01-06-2009, 04:36 PM

X2
M4 sucks canal water...HARD!
I had an M4 (and RMA'd it and got another **** M4) and tried it on my NF7-S...
Display corruption and nothing but static from the soundcards....
Just doesn't do it properly...

Your NF7 setup sounds promising, but I'd tone down the graphics...too much power.
Certainly better versatility...

**skuller** · 01-06-2009, 11:51 PM

If it's between asus eee/acer netbook with the old athlon+full size atx nf7s, I'll go with the laptop.
Or
you can get a mini-itx instead.

I never have m4 but had bad luck with m2 (RMA and still got defective product).

**alvin986** · 01-07-2009, 02:36 AM

OK...so here's the thing...i just heard from a fellow member Dejan, since we live relatively near each other, and i would have to import the PS from the UK,so 90 % i'm gonna go with the laptop and use a car battery charger to power it or go with the following :
http://mediacar.si/Sestavljeni-racun...uct-flyer.html

**Woofnstuff** · 01-07-2009, 05:16 PM

so where in the world are you?

if you are looking at buying a laptop for the job, buy a mITX system instead

**alvin986** · 01-07-2009, 05:34 PM

Croatia

**MeeM** · 01-09-2009, 02:11 AM

I'm in the same boat. Can't decide whether to use Asus Eee PC or to build a mini-ITX system and mount it under the seat. I'd have to buy an LCD to put in the double-din space if I chose the mini-ITX option. With the Eee, it's a complete system in one package, and the model I'm looking at costs around the same as a 7" sunlight readable Lilliput LCD alone. All I have to do with the Eee is connect it to an amp and run some power cables and put a startup/shutdown controller somehow.

The mini-ITX option is appealing though because it's more flexible, can be upgraded easily unlike the Eee. Sure, installing it under the seat and running the cables to the LCD and amp might be a bit more involving, but I enjoy the challenge.

And to top it off: it's all gonna cost roughly the same no matter which option I choose. Argh! I'm stuck. Any suggestions?

**FusionFanatic** · 01-10-2009, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by MeeM

I'm in the same boat. Can't decide whether to use Asus Eee PC or to build a mini-ITX system and mount it under the seat. I'd have to buy an LCD to put in the double-din space if I chose the mini-ITX option. With the Eee, it's a complete system in one package, and the model I'm looking at costs around the same as a 7" sunlight readable Lilliput LCD alone. All I have to do with the Eee is connect it to an amp and run some power cables and put a startup/shutdown controller somehow.

The mini-ITX option is appealing though because it's more flexible, can be upgraded easily unlike the Eee. Sure, installing it under the seat and running the cables to the LCD and amp might be a bit more involving, but I enjoy the challenge.

And to top it off: it's all gonna cost roughly the same no matter which option I choose. Argh! I'm stuck. Any suggestions?

well, do you want a true carPC or do you just want a laptop in your car? if you use the eeepc "as-is" with no external monitor, then it will not be a true carPC, it will simply be a laptop in a car (unless you hook it up to an external monitor ot hack the eee apart and install it in-dash).

also keep in mind that to have automatic startup/shutdown control, you'll need to open up your eee and solder wires to the power button.

personally, I would go with the mini-ITX option. with the PC under the front seat, your wiring can be short and easily hidden in the center console (really not much of a challenge at all

). you can built it yourself or you can buy mini-ITX systems prebuilt.

whatever you decide, good luck