Panasonic Toughbook CF-28 extreme rugged laptop w/ touchscreen and GPS

**archstudent** · 05-10-2007, 09:14 PM

Hello,

I have lurked long enough and like what I see on these forums! I'm thinking of creating a carputer using an existing Panasonic Toughbook cf-28 with a 13.3" touchscreen.

Has anyone tried creating a carputer with a screen larger than the 7" or 10" ones that I have seen installed?

Since my Land Rover is utilitarian in nature I don't have to do much to install, instead I just need good ideas on where to mount the screen, and how to stretch the screen cables out if I want to seperate it from the lower half of the laptop.

I am looking at using this for GPS tracking using Garmin maps (including topographic maps), GPSGate 2.0, and a Holux GR-213 usb mouse. Other than that, I could easily transfer files to and from the laptop using my wireless network at home.

All thoughts, ideas, and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Here is a picture of the Rover

The only other option I can think of if I can not figure out a cable solution to seperating the lcd from the lower half is to have a mount made for the laptop.

I should also mention that there is currently no sound, no speakers, no nothing except the gentle hummm of the diesel engine. Do spliters exist that allow me to run the sound from the computer to new speakers I plan to install, or would it be a homemade thing?

Newbie questions you've heard before... thank you in advance

**metal_fan** · 05-11-2007, 08:32 AM

I have owned several CF-27 series toughbooks but I doubt you could remove the screen and mount it, most laptop screens are connected by a thin plastic cable that is machine formed. (look at ebay auction #250085437329 for an example)

You MIGHT be able to take an older Toshiba and lengthen the cables as they were made with separate small strands that if you REALLY tried I think you might be able to extend. (see item#290114263620 for en example)
but none of those are touchscreen.

**deadreckoning** · 05-12-2007, 01:55 PM

The Rover rocks dude...

I'm in the process of setting up a Macintosh PowerBook G4 in my '76 Jeep J-10.. So I am going through the search process trying to find out what Macintosh software is available..

Here's a pix of the truck...

**Cutrara** · 05-14-2007, 07:19 PM

You're probably gonna have voltage loss if you extend the lcd cables too far.

**Dennis5587** · 05-14-2007, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by archstudent

Hello,

I should also mention that there is currently no sound, no speakers, no nothing except the gentle hummm of the diesel engine. Do spliters exist that allow me to run the sound from the computer to new speakers I plan to install, or would it be a homemade thing?

Do a little reading on this, most people here are doing this exactly, we have out computer running to an amplifier, which then runs for the speakers.

Also, there have been people who have done screen's larger then 10", some have done 15, think a couple did 17's.

**archstudent** · 05-19-2007, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by deadreckoning

The Rover rocks dude...

I'm in the process of setting up a Macintosh PowerBook G4 in my '76 Jeep J-10.. So I am going through the search process trying to find out what Macintosh software is available..

Thanks, I likes it to!

Just got back from my first camping trip of the season with some pics of the rover in action... articulation baby!

Dennis5587, thank you for the info

I'll keep looking and reading

Now I just have to figure out which arm/bracket/mount to get for the laptop so that it tucks away nicely, and flips out when I need it.