Thread: Help me pick a solution please

So I am ready to invest in a car PC setup, and when I thought I had it all figured out (read: after joining this forum and doing many searches), I realized that maybe I am not going for the best solution and don't understand everything yet, so here are some questions:

1) I am planning on going with a mini-itx system, but would it be a better idea to go with a Capuccino PC or regular mini ATX system?
2) If I go with mini-itx, which is the best board (reliable and efficient) board out there?
3) Which case would be the most recommended, and what power supply will fit in that case? (from what I understand the Opus is ATX only).
4)What about that ITPS module, is it reliable and a must have? (my car is comes with a sensor which will shut down any accessories when it detects the battery is getting low, but I never tested this of course).
5) Should I locate the PC (assuming it's a small case) under the passenger seat, so it can enjoy the AC/Heating as there is also a vent in that location or should I put it in the trunk?
6) Should I apply extra insulation on the outside to keep the system warmer in the winter, without blocking the PC exhaust of course (and cooler when the car is parked during the hot summers), and to protect from vibrations (maybe dynomat will work?)
7) I have 2 cigeratte lighter jacks/plugs, one is on all the time, even when the car is turned off, the other one works only when the car is running, I was thinking of hooking the PC up to the always on plug, and the LCD to the other plug, or should both be always on?
8) Is CoPilot still the most recommended/compatible GPS solution?
9) Which ODBII solution is relatively cheap and looks great on a 7" monitor?


Thanks guys, I realize some of these questions have been asked before, but I never found the answers I was looking for. I am trying to keep the budget around $1k, the less the better of course.