Laptop Install Question

**strykr** · 03-10-2009, 07:52 PM

Hey I was woundering if this laptop is going to be worth installing into the car or if I should go with my old desktop. My only problem with it at the moment is that the powercord I had with it the jack into the laptop does not work. My brand new laptops powercord does work tho, but thats not getting installed lol and well go figure the batteries after so many years dont hold a charge longer then 10min seriously! lol

The laptop specs are:
Processor: Intel Pentium III 1Ghz (It seems to range from 650 to 999, depending on powerload)
Memory: 512 MB
Hard Drive: 40GB
CD-Rom: 24x Read CD, 12x Read DVD
Screen: 14.1" TFT LCD SVGA active
Video: ATI-Rage Mobility P AGP 8 MBytes SDRAM (up to 1024X768 at 32bit colors on the internal screen, up to 1024X768 at 64K colors on the external screen)
Sound: ESS Maestro, 2 built-in speakers, microphone.
Integrated ports:
- 2 PCMCIA II slots
- IrDA
- PS/2 Keyboard/mouse
- Serial port
- Parallel port
- VGA
- USB 1.0 (x1 Port)
- TV-out
Dimensions: 31.5 x 25.3 x 4.1 cm
Weight: 3.18 kg
OS: Windows XP SP2

**PaulF** · 03-10-2009, 08:08 PM

That laptop should work out fine. You may want to upgrade its sound. Depending on what you want to connect you may want to get a USB 2.0 card for it. The only major worry is the 64K color on the external screen. Can it handle 24 bit or 32 bit on an external screen at 800x600?

You'll need to get a car power supply for the laptop and the 10 minute battery life will be fine since the laptop will just run off the car battery.

You'll also probably want to strip down windows xp a bit to give you some better performance.

**strykr** · 03-10-2009, 08:13 PM

Sounds like it might just be better to install the desktop in there then:s

I can just underclock it if I want to lower the power consumption.
Plus there is 1Tb of storage and an amazing soundcard!

I dont know just yet tho, cuz the laptop hard drive are actually alot better, it uses less power anyways, low heat buildup, but my only real problem are those things plus i listed... plus small Hdd, okay soundcard, only one ancient usb!

**PaulF** · 03-10-2009, 08:20 PM

The only issue with a desktop is that you still need to use a laptop hard drive. A hard drive works like a record player and one made for desktops is not designed to withstand the vibrations/bumps of the automotive environment.

Unless the desktop uses huge amounts of power, you really don't need to worry about power consumption. Just get an automotive power supply that can handle its load.

**strykr** · 03-10-2009, 08:47 PM

Ya but I got a huge sound system already coming off the battery, thats why..

**PaulF** · 03-10-2009, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by strykr

Ya but I got a huge sound system already coming off the battery, thats why..

Compared to a sound system, the PC should add a relatively low amount of power.

Your car has an 85 Amp alternator in it. What exactly do you have for a sound system? I'm not interested in the Speakers/Subs... just the head unit, amplifiers and their RMS/Peak wattages.

**strykr** · 03-10-2009, 09:08 PM

I couldnt tell u off the top of my head... got 2 600watt peak (rms forgot) amps.. only one installed right now.. and some ****ty deck from crappy tire

**Will Albers** · 03-11-2009, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by strykr

I couldnt tell u off the top of my head... got 2 600watt peak (rms forgot) amps.. only one installed right now.. and some ****ty deck from crappy tire

I wouldnt worry about power consumption of the PC. Its not what will strain your system. Your sound system will need far more attention than the PC.