MP3Car.com - View Single Post - Rebuilding the system using LAPTOP... Opinions

BMVEE · 02-24-2007, 10:39 AM

I've been carputering for a couple of years now.... I'm redoing the system as I'm frustrated with the existing hardware I have now. I'm considering the laptop only because it will eliminate dragging my primary laptop with me to the lake for the weekends. I was going to rip everything out and go BMW OEM NAV... but I'm back and forth on that (read... reeeeeeeeally expensive

).

I'm a systems engineer, so experimenting with this stuff as a hobby is not that big a deal for me (especially since my girlfriend hates the thing

). I'm just going to set things up and use it. The only thing I'm going to change down the road is the display as my Lilliput is is pretty hard to read when the top is down.

Mostly what I'm after is Sirius, FM Tuner, I-BUS integration and easy SUSD. I agree with your docking station comments, but I want to keep the price down, though when I consider your comments... It may be cheaper in the long run to go with a docking station. I hadn't thought of the Auto Power Adapter... Great Idea... thanks for that!

As far as the hardware... I'm using a new laptop so current technology won't be a problem. I was just thinking SUSD with a laptop might be better than with a dedicated PC. I can get my hands on a MINI allinone PC (I think the acer one that's been mentioned in the forums) for very cheap, but that won't help me for portability. I guess I could buy an LCD panel with a DVI connector and move the PC from the car to the boat, but this is less appealing.

I'm pretty much going to set it up and use it. I just want to get input from others (like yourself) about ups and downs of laptops.

Thanks so much for your very informative & considered post!

BTW... how are your SUSD times???? Are you letting the laptop power off after 10 minutes on it's own for things like fuelling or quick stops???

Quote: Originally Posted by GizmoQ

Several things to consider here.

First, if you plan to keep this system for more than a couple years, you might give serious consideration to finding a laptop that has a docking station. I've done it both ways and having docks has many advantages. I have mini docks in each of my three cars and two full docks in the house. No more plugging and unplugging to move from one to the other, much easier to create a sturdy mount, no wear and tear on internal plugs (I had to replace my mic and line out sockets twice before the docks), some docks have separate power switch so you don't have to mod laptop for SUSD controller, etc.

Most laptops have auto adapters, so an inverter can be avoided. Inverters are notoriously noisy, whereas, an auto adapter can be cleaned up easily if noise is present. Auto adapters also generate less heat, take up far less space, and if your shutdown controller hangs may not drain your battery overnite.

Most peripheral nowadays are USB so adding more can be done with external hubs. Be careful not to get an old laptop with 1.1 USB - it'll work , but requires more tweaking and attention to what peripherals are grouped together (1.1 supplies less current). If you want SQ sound quality an external sound card will probably be required which means a bit more horsepower from the CPU and additional power requirements.

Lastly, I don't know how you feel about a development testbed (or how deep into this hobby you plan to delve), but I have at least two of everything. One on my development machine and one in the cars. I test everything on the dev box first (hardware and software) and then move it to the vehicles once stable. So, yes, I have 3 WinTv/FM, 2 XM commanders, 3 Aircards, etc. I'm probably anal about it but, it always seems that I'm out of the country or on a long distance roadtrip when some new mod is released and if I load it onto the operational system something goes bad. New hardware is always purchased for the dev box first and when I'm satisfied that its worth putting into the vehicles, I buy more. This has saved me more headaches than I can exclaim. I can hook it up, test it, and return it if it doesn't work without the hassle of running wires, worrying about how it looks, where to put things, dealing with power, connectivity, or interference in the car, etc. My dev machine is also backed up to my network whenever a change is stable and serves as a backup operational system so I don't go into withdrawals if the primary breaks down.

Laptops can be effectively used with some foresight, planning, and understanding of its limitations. I'm sure that Breaker021 would agree with me that a system that you can take with you outside the vehicle has additional benefits as well.

02-24-2007, 10:39 AM	#8
BMVEE Variable Bitrate Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Beautiful British Columbia, CANADA.... eh! Posts: 256	I've been carputering for a couple of years now.... I'm redoing the system as I'm frustrated with the existing hardware I have now. I'm considering the laptop only because it will eliminate dragging my primary laptop with me to the lake for the weekends. I was going to rip everything out and go BMW OEM NAV... but I'm back and forth on that (read... reeeeeeeeally expensive ). I'm a systems engineer, so experimenting with this stuff as a hobby is not that big a deal for me (especially since my girlfriend hates the thing ). I'm just going to set things up and use it. The only thing I'm going to change down the road is the display as my Lilliput is is pretty hard to read when the top is down. Mostly what I'm after is Sirius, FM Tuner, I-BUS integration and easy SUSD. I agree with your docking station comments, but I want to keep the price down, though when I consider your comments... It may be cheaper in the long run to go with a docking station. I hadn't thought of the Auto Power Adapter... Great Idea... thanks for that! As far as the hardware... I'm using a new laptop so current technology won't be a problem. I was just thinking SUSD with a laptop might be better than with a dedicated PC. I can get my hands on a MINI allinone PC (I think the acer one that's been mentioned in the forums) for very cheap, but that won't help me for portability. I guess I could buy an LCD panel with a DVI connector and move the PC from the car to the boat, but this is less appealing. I'm pretty much going to set it up and use it. I just want to get input from others (like yourself) about ups and downs of laptops. Thanks so much for your very informative & considered post! BTW... how are your SUSD times???? Are you letting the laptop power off after 10 minutes on it's own for things like fuelling or quick stops??? Quote: Originally Posted by GizmoQ Several things to consider here. First, if you plan to keep this system for more than a couple years, you might give serious consideration to finding a laptop that has a docking station. I've done it both ways and having docks has many advantages. I have mini docks in each of my three cars and two full docks in the house. No more plugging and unplugging to move from one to the other, much easier to create a sturdy mount, no wear and tear on internal plugs (I had to replace my mic and line out sockets twice before the docks), some docks have separate power switch so you don't have to mod laptop for SUSD controller, etc. Most laptops have auto adapters, so an inverter can be avoided. Inverters are notoriously noisy, whereas, an auto adapter can be cleaned up easily if noise is present. Auto adapters also generate less heat, take up far less space, and if your shutdown controller hangs may not drain your battery overnite. Most peripheral nowadays are USB so adding more can be done with external hubs. Be careful not to get an old laptop with 1.1 USB - it'll work , but requires more tweaking and attention to what peripherals are grouped together (1.1 supplies less current). If you want SQ sound quality an external sound card will probably be required which means a bit more horsepower from the CPU and additional power requirements. Lastly, I don't know how you feel about a development testbed (or how deep into this hobby you plan to delve), but I have at least two of everything. One on my development machine and one in the cars. I test everything on the dev box first (hardware and software) and then move it to the vehicles once stable. So, yes, I have 3 WinTv/FM, 2 XM commanders, 3 Aircards, etc. I'm probably anal about it but, it always seems that I'm out of the country or on a long distance roadtrip when some new mod is released and if I load it onto the operational system something goes bad. New hardware is always purchased for the dev box first and when I'm satisfied that its worth putting into the vehicles, I buy more. This has saved me more headaches than I can exclaim. I can hook it up, test it, and return it if it doesn't work without the hassle of running wires, worrying about how it looks, where to put things, dealing with power, connectivity, or interference in the car, etc. My dev machine is also backed up to my network whenever a change is stable and serves as a backup operational system so I don't go into withdrawals if the primary breaks down. Laptops can be effectively used with some foresight, planning, and understanding of its limitations. I'm sure that Breaker021 would agree with me that a system that you can take with you outside the vehicle has additional benefits as well.