laptop or pc

**black3** · 11-22-2004, 10:20 AM

I been reading on the forums and found that most people go with the Epia M10000 setup. I looked up prices and for everything including all parts with opus supply its pretty expensive. I mean a brand new dell laptop is like $599 and a used one is cheaper like around $350 so im debating on what to do. what would you guys choose?

**BoyNextDoor** · 11-22-2004, 10:46 AM

as far as laptops go. you can carry them around, not only in the car. In car pc's are only for incar use, if you put it in there, but can also be used outside the car. Nowit's up to you. there are some ppl on this forum with laptops too, but. the problem is, that if you have a laptop you need an inverter. Wih the opus, you can hook it up to the car battery directly. Carpc's are more power efficient. you choose anyways. go for budget or quality.

**14500rpm** · 11-22-2004, 02:35 PM

I'm going for a laptop system for ease of construction, and because I can take the whole lot out of the car easily - I'm also using a docking station to make it even easier. For me it was a no brainer - I got an old laptop from work for nothing, got the docking station from eBay for £1, and it saves messing about with power supplies, I'm going to buy an in-car charger for it and install it permanently in the boot with the battery. It's not everyones cup of tea, many on here enjoy building the system as much as using it, and for those people an Opus/Epia solution is more fitting. Different folks/different strokes.

**blicky_1** · 11-22-2004, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by 14500rpm

I'm going for a laptop system for ease of construction, and because I can take the whole lot out of the car easily - I'm also using a docking station to make it even easier

I use the same and have been for over a year. Best thing is to set up a seperate user in WinXP with no password so that its easier to log on with your touchscreen.

Power is supplied via a Maplin DC laptop power adapter directly to the car battery (via a switch on the dash)

And at the end of the day i can take it out of the car and use as a standard laptop!!

Regards
blicky_1

**NRGZ28** · 11-22-2004, 04:41 PM

Same here.... only I got a laptop with a cracked screen so I got it for a mere 100 dollars

If you ask me a laptop is a lot more "power efficient" then any VIA solution. Why ? It runs on batteries !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahahahahahah!

**black3** · 11-22-2004, 06:54 PM

thanks for the input guys. yeah im leaning towards a laptop mainly so i can take it out and use it too. i guess ill find a used one for cheap somewhere. any good places besides ebay.