A couple montsh ago I decided that quite seriously I wanted a carputer, both for the functionality and a project to give myself over the summer. Right now I have just graduated High School and am going to a Community College next year, which although inexpensive, still leaves me a little short on money. For a graduation gift, I recieved a new laptop (2.6ghz, 40gb hd, 256mb ram, wifi/bt, dvd rom). I figured I could just buy some GPS stuff, and use it when I needed but pretty quickly I realized that is tough, and I caught the bug.
How feasable would it be to mount a touch screen in the dash, and create a docking station for my laptop?
1. Would I run into problems with the touchscreen not controling things like the software because of the laptop mouse/keyboard?
2. I thought I may run into power problems, but I think I have enough power in the car to hook up the laptop/cell phone charger, although I usually only have one thing plugged in. I might just grab another cigerette lighter out of another car, wire it in, and use the car adapter for the laptop.
3. In regards to having the screen closed, is there a way I could have the screen closed but still control the computer? I figure I could leave it just cracked open a bit if needed.
Since this will be a dual purpose laptop (my everyday laptop, and my carputer) I plan to set up two different users, my normal one, and a car one that boots up to something like Frodoplayer? So basically everytime I got in the car I would have to dock it, turn it on, and select "Car". Boot time is really good too.
Brainstorming...
i'm in the process of getting a laptop in the car, it wouldnt be removed except for troubleshooting and such though...
where would you plan on keeping the docking station?
and the laptop would work fine with the screen closed, as long as in the power management settings you have the laptop "do nothing" when you close the screen (as opposed to going to sleep or something silly)
the keyboard/touchpad on the laptop also should not interfere with the touchscreen
The docking station I am not sure, I am going to try and make some measurements right under the glovebox, and make the dock out of plexiglass from work. I need something easy to get to since it will be coming ind and out quite often. I could also try and put it under the front of the passanger seat, I'm not quite sure.
I didn't know that you could do that with the settings, the do nothing when the screen is closed, that is exactly what I need though so that is what I will be doing.
This is actually looking a bit easier than I though, until it comes to the fiberglassing.
You should defintely search the boards for laptop. There are many people using laptops. They have already tackled the hard problems, like start up and shut down, powering the unit, and control/interface of the laptop into the TS and LCD.Originally Posted by UnsanePyro
There are some great threads, with lots of pictures. You really should search the board.
Michael
...I love the French language...especially to curse with...Nom de Dieu de putain de bordel de merde de saloperies de connards d'enculés de ta mère. You see, it's like wiping your *** with silk, I love it.
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