Overhead Laptop?

**TreyCarr** · 03-05-2005, 02:25 PM

Noob here. I used to customize installations as a kid. Back when we only put radio head units, amps, crossovers, and speakers into our vehicles. Now, I am trying to customize my Chevy Avalanche.

The question I would like to ask the experts (ive researched for 3 weeks now on these forums and others with no definitive answers) is, Has anyone tried to mount a laptop *the whole thing* upside down in like an overhead console unit? I was thinking this would be the perfect place for an mp3 carputer.

1. There would be no fancy rewiring of the lcd unit, requiring an awefully expensive controller card and inverter.
2. You could add USB devices as seen in other laptop/pc carputers.
3. Wireless built right in.
4. You can invert the image using 3rd party software or graphics drivers that support it.

Now if it's not feasible to do so, let me know. I would look into just using a 15 inch tft LCD with custom beszle and car puter.

Then I would be willing to trade my laptop for a 7 inch xenart touch panel and some extras.

**Bugbyte** · 03-05-2005, 02:53 PM

Can't think of any reason why this wouldn't work. Maybe the CD drive wouldn't work but most laptops have the kind that snaps the CD in, so that might not be a problem.

Biggest problem would be typing upside down, obviously fixable with a second keyboard.

No touch screen and laptop screens aren't very bright so it would be hard to see.

**TreyCarr** · 03-05-2005, 02:56 PM

yeah. i guess that would be an issue as well. Brightness.. But while plugged up, it looks pretty good.

As far as typing, would get rid of the keyboard and use USB wireless. I would mount the laptop in such away, all you would see is the buttons required to turn it on.

**TreyCarr** · 03-07-2005, 10:58 AM

Anyone try this at all?

And about the touch screen. I would do an in dash 7" or 8" touch screen as a 2ndary monitor if I were to use the laptop.

The reason I wanted to do this, was due to the rising difficulty of fabricating a solution for my 15" LCD screen..

I could build a carpc, add the 7" or 8" touch screen. Create an overhead console unit that houses the 15" LCD and its controller card. Wire all of that to either my head unit or the amp for 7.1 channel inputs. But I am very NEW at the whole fiberglass bondo fabo scene.

Decisions, Decisions..

Any good Fabricators in the greater Cleveland Ohio area???

**Tower** · 03-07-2005, 07:20 PM

It would be hard to mount the screen so it would close, so the screen would be in the way of seeing the rear view mirror or out the pass side of the front window. Put the laptop any where under the seat under glove compartment (thats where mine is) and put a touch screen some where.

**RoshSok** · 03-07-2005, 10:15 PM

I signed up just to answer this question. I was thinking about doing the same because a 15 inch screen sound hot--and I won't have to buy another screen or additional computer parts like a motherboard or something.

The only problem I can think of is the heat. My Dell got very hot just sitting there. Creating a recess in the roof of the car would cover up the vent. I guess the recess would cover up the usb ports etc as well, now that I think about it.

But I think that would be the most important problem you would run into.

**ddn** · 03-07-2005, 10:19 PM

As always, its too bad you can't just pump video into a laptop LCD. I am typing into my VAIO with a very nice 10.4" LCD that would be great mounted upside down. And I know these guys go for around $200 on eBay. Oh well..

**Blue ZX3** · 03-07-2005, 10:33 PM

If you wanted to make it a little more professional looking, and make it permantly installed (doesn't say), then take the head linner out and make a thin say wooden base that you could attach to it some how. with this base you could cut some holes and use two small processor fans to pull more heat off the bottom(top?). Depending on how much room you have between the the roof and ceilling you could cut a hole in the head linner and recess it some.....

Don't know how easy or what this might look like but it's just my thoughts...

Good luck..

**ukchris** · 03-07-2005, 10:34 PM

Bear in mind that if the rotation is done using software then any viseo playback may suck, it's just too much work.

**Blue ZX3** · 03-07-2005, 10:38 PM

Or could you put the screen apart and modify it slightly by turning the actual LCD 180 degrees and put it back together...lots of probs i would think but another solution?