I had the exact setup in my F150... I enjoyed being able to undock my laptop on a whim and take it inside to update or use. It all just depends on what you want to use it for, and how you want to use it. I think a desktop will be more stable, but less mobile. Laptop is more mobile, but less power efficient.
desktop takes mroe tweaks on the front end, laptop takes more tweaks once it is in, and will have power issues to tackle.
I've always opted for desktop components for the following reasons.Originally Posted by biga48197
-Cheaper initial cost and replacement parts ( broken screen might equalize cost)
-Difficult to power on with acc signal, can you solder to smt switches?
-On board audio limitations
Main issue will be auto start and shutdown. You'll have to come up with a way to do that - there are plenty of answers, but most involve soldering to the power switch. The store computers won't have this issue.
Also, the built in audio is not as good on a laptop.
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I beg to differ on a couple of accounts. Firstly, Laptops are built for mobile use. They can take the punches and blows that desktop components are not really designed for. They have their own built in power supplies, many for up to 3 hours - They have wifi, bluetooth, dvd etc built in...Secondly, It's much easier to take a laptop inside (as was said earlier) and tweak it/update it. Not to mention, if you will be doing most of your computing on a laptop (presumably) why not have that be the computer thats in your car. ex. download a new song? already on the lappy, download some pics off the camera? already on the lappy. It does mean you need to take it with you wherever you go, but at least when the car get's stolen, the guts are with you. Finally, if you get a universal docking station, all you really need to do is connect the laptop through one USB port and all your peripherals, displays, and sound are automatically connected.
I would agree that the main advantage of the laptop is also its main drawback - everything is packaged inside a nice mobile package. That makes expansion either a little more difficult and/or expensive (i.e. replacing the hard drive to increase storage capacity) or impossible (improved video card).
It will really depend on your needs and skills. Just a few years ago laptops were quite a bit more expensive than the desktop setups in the car. That has changed, and the laptop can be a quite attractive package now.
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-Find out about the new iBug iPad install?
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Getting back to the origin of the thread,,,
I recently sold my car which carried my first Carpc.
New car sound system is fine but had no usb/sd card or gps capcabilities.
First thought was ok get a Kenwood DNX7120 or Pioneer Avic.
Played with them at the local Bestbuy and imediately realized that I couldn't customize change skins add features or do anything creative with a HU manufactured by someone else.
I'm now refitting my carpc to the new car expecting completion in 2 weeks.
Feels good.
No, not really at all,
Laptops are incredibly fragile - the old ones were a little better, they
lasted longer, but newer ones just break from the slightest tap or
drop, I can take a desktop and throw it across the room and it will
still boot, well I am talking a home built computer, not a $100 Walmart
unit with plastic case, but even it would have more durability.
Thats not to say Laptops are a bad choice, but you have to be more
careful with them.
As far as updating thats what Wi-Fi is for, and music can be put on
thumb drives/portable hard dives or downloaded over Wi-Fi, and its even
easier when you have your media files on a nas/network share.
I could also take my Ipod and plug it up to USB, use a program to download
to the hard disk with the correct file names to my music directory, and
use the music with Ride Runner.
Upgrade your screen with a Transflective enhancement and you need not worry about glare.
I want to have gps, bluetooth (maybe), wi-fi (maybe to update but really don't no if this is going to be needed) and a system that has a fast to decent boot speed.
I want to run the system through my aux on my radio.
To give you a better understanding of what I am looking for is nothing were I can watch a hd or blu ray movie in my car or play games like that needs a large video card.
If and when I get this car pc i plan on using the nav, playing music thats on the hdd and ipod, using a back up cam, watching music videos, looking at pics stored on the hdd, and maybe watching some internet clips that I have imported via flash drive.
I think that is about it. nothing to out the ordinary I hope. if I was to purchase one of the already buuilt ar pc's that were located in the store which stage would you suggest?
Millions of dollars have been spent on user interface design (both physical layout and software) across commercial car stereos. These efforts equate to simple and "bugfree" use where the device and buttons do what you would expect.
This is not the case with CarPCs
Step away from the "coolness" factor for a minute and decide if you are a hobbyist/installer/PC builder (or not). If not, please save your money and time. Install a high end deck and let it do its thing until you sell the car.
You will thank me later =)
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