FAQ: Installing a Mac Mini in Your Car

**scionxAdb** · 08-25-2006, 09:50 PM

Do you run a wire directly from the battery to the carnetix supply or do you splice it into the 12V source wiring in the car.

**Nissan4LIFE** · 03-29-2008, 11:19 AM

I know this may have been asked already...but can we get an update for the people with NEW MACS that are now plug-and-play with the Carnetix supplies. I've searched and can't seem to find anything updated. Thank you

**Bugbyte** · 03-29-2008, 09:21 PM

Sure! Send me a 2140 and I'll write it up. :-))

Seriously, it works the same way except the 2140 has a USB cable to communicate with the computer, although there is no supported Mac version of the monitor program.

**Nissan4LIFE** · 03-30-2008, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Sure! Send me a 2140 and I'll write it up. :-))

Seriously, it works the same way except the 2140 has a USB cable to communicate with the computer, although there is no supported Mac version of the monitor program.

Hrmmm...nice lol. I guess I will have to install XP then lol.

**samantech** · 06-26-2008, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Currently, there is only one supplier of DC-DC power supplies for the Mini - Carnetix, which manufactures the P1900 DC-DC power supply.

Thanks for all the valuable information. Having heard of the quality of Opussolution products, I talked to some of the tech guys of the company and they claim that their DC07 and DC09, 150W and 180W triple and dual output PSUs are made to suit Maccar.

Any advice on that since i guess the quote above was written at the time of carnetix being the only solution for mini.

**samantech** · 06-26-2008, 03:24 AM

To summarize the Power supply part, the only modification with be done on the mini power brick and not inside the mini? this way can P1900 or P2140 send shutdown, sleep or wakeup signals to mini through the input? what happens to power button? no mods necessary?

**psedog** · 08-21-2010, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by samantech

To summarize the Power supply part, the only modification with be done on the mini power brick and not inside the mini? this way can P1900 or P2140 send shutdown, sleep or wakeup signals to mini through the input? what happens to power button? no mods necessary?

If you get the MacPac, then you will get a splitter that will connect to the motherboard and 1 connector goes to your original power button and 1 goes to the Carnetix Power Supply. The power supply still can't tell the mac to shut down. It can send it a sleep command or completely remove power if it doesn't listen.

Originally Posted by Nissan4LIFE

I know this may have been asked already...but can we get an update for the people with NEW MACS that are now plug-and-play with the Carnetix supplies. I've searched and can't seem to find anything updated. Thank you

Ramon, really? You didn't hit me up with these questions. You know I have a mac mini in my G. Psh, this guy...
The "New Macs" weren't the reason why it became plug and play. Carnetix figured out a way to source the power cord and power button splitters at an affordable price. Prior to the "Mac Pac" we would have had to cut our original cables to get them to work.

*Disclaimer, I'm not talking about the new 2010 Mac Mini's. Those have the power supplies on the inside and would be a little more difficult to modify for in car use. Not to mention that they dropped the DIN form factor and will not fit into traditional head unit compartments, boo Apple, boo!

**BAC5point2** · 12-16-2010, 12:33 AM

So what is the "ideal" Mac Mini for carputer use?

I wonder if you could use VM Fusion to run Garmin's MobilePC?

Why-oh-why hasn't anyone hacked the Magic Trackpad to produce a screen-sized overlay. That's the ideal setup. Make the entire screen a magic trackpad. Then you can do everything you'd be able to do with a normal Mac mouse!

**Bluejay** · 02-23-2011, 12:56 AM

How do you fix the Mini Mac actually in place?

I am thinking of building it in to my Jeep, but it needs to secure when off roading...

Thanks
Robert

**Bugbyte** · 02-23-2011, 10:39 AM

I took the case off, drilled holes in the side and tapped them for screws. Then, I bolted L brackets to the mounting surface and screwed them into the case. Worked awesome.

Note - the is the old style Intel Mini with the aluminum case. There's no reason it wouldn't work with the new Mini but you want to make sure when you tap it that the screws don't contact stuff inside the case.