M²PC

jjohnson · 02-16-2001, 02:12 PM

FYI: We have new pictures of the finalized pre-production prototype unit up on our site at http://www.m2pc.com .

Post any feedback you may have in this thread. We appreciate and take seriously any feedback received.

Thanks.

------------------
Jason Johnson
President/CEO
Johnson Interface Solutions
Mobile Computing Division

[This message has been edited by jjohnson (edited 02-16-2001).]

Mp3_Truck · 02-16-2001, 03:12 PM

ok good idea but to me a true mobile pc is a intigrated pc with no case that molds into the interor. To me this is just a big pc case and thats a waste to me.

This is only my option but the inteor should be built around the pc to make it mobile.

Gunmaster · 02-16-2001, 04:14 PM

ouch $1000 bucks,no s-video out?

jjohnson · 02-16-2001, 05:50 PM

Mp3_Truck -

It would be impossible for me to sell a commercial unit that could integrate into any vehicle's interior. It would be pointless since I'd essentially be selling a bunch of computer parts and telling the customer "now you decide how to hook it up!"

Our idea was simple: To build a unit that will end up looking and connecting exactly like a car stereo amplifier. Full vehicle integration is part of our plan. There are many expansion options -- for example, you can easily install a flatpanel LCD in the dash, and secondary display(s) for passengers. We also will be offering a slot-loading DVD/CD-ROM drive that mounts in a single DIN sized slot. This will allow for playing DVD movies, audio CDs, as well as for realtime MP3 encoding.

The M²PC mounts in the trunk, under the seat, or behind the dash and has RCA inputs and outputs so it connects directly to your existing audio system. It also has a built-in ATX DC-DC PSU so there's no inverter or external PSU needed.

We have also engineered an external device that allows the M²PC to fully control all vehicle functions such as lights, motors, HVAC controls, and custom components.

For a commerical product, having a bare motherboard "somewhere" in a vehicle without a chassis for environmental and electrical shielding makes no sense. And our case is not "big" either. 10"x8"x2" is one of the smallest sizes of a car PC with everything inside the box.

jjohnson · 02-16-2001, 05:56 PM

Gunmaster -

The $1000.00 figure is just a pre-production estimate. It will most likely go WAY down once we move into full production. Also, there will be 2 empty PCI slots which you can install a $30.00 TV-Out video card into if you wish.

Our base model has no Composite or S-Video output simply because of readibility concerns. Our system was designed from day 1 as a high-end system. The only plans we have for TV-quality video output is for passenger entertainment and video game support.

To us, and a lot of others will agree, having a high quality VGA display is well worth it, especially when you're trying to read a GPS map, for instance. We are however planning a small, inexpensive graphical USB LCD for those who only want to play MP3's through their system.

Again, for a hobbiest type system it makes sense to use an inexpensive, TV-quality LCD, but we are targeting the high-end car audio market and other transit computer markets that demand a crisp, high-resolution display that's easy to read.

Mp3_Truck · 02-16-2001, 07:10 PM

but they can take pc parts to any qualified car audio installer and have them intigrated i know ive done a few cars i dont take long to do and its more hidden and custom so i see anything like this or q-pc would be a waste.

Callahan · 02-16-2001, 08:02 PM

Its a nice professional looking system. I wouldn't pay for it because I am one of the 'home brew' advocates. But it certainly looks like a well planned out system. I've somewhat followed the development on the page and its been a while coming and seems well thought out.

What I'm most curious about is will the power supply be available for seperate purchase? I do not think offering it would impact your sales of the M2PC because most if not all that would purchase it would not purchase the full unit anyway.. Might be another source of income besides the main unit?

jjohnson · 02-19-2001, 01:53 PM

I appreciate the feedback given thus far. We are considering selling the power supplies for the M²PC as a separate unit. We admire all those who take the time and effort (not to mention money!) to build their own custom system. After all, the whole M²PC project started off as a huge desktop PC in the trunk of my 1970 Chevy Camaro, so I know what it's like when the system finally boots and the first MP3 is played!

The power supply is fully ATX compliant and we have been working with a PCB fabrication company to have professional PCB's produced. We plan on eventually offering these in kit and assembled form to individuals only. Part of why we haven't been pushing the PSUs by themselves is that these items are very hard to come by and several competing companies to us are trying to find a supplier for them.

Judging from the volume of e-mail we have received regarding the PSU, we will be exploring this in the very near future. Stay tuned and be patient

Gunmaster · 02-19-2001, 02:47 PM

ok that answers my questions,hows that internal gps you sell work?

jjohnson · 02-19-2001, 03:07 PM

We're using an OEM GPS module with a Rockwell chipset. It is installed inside the M²PC's case with a small RF connector that is available on the back panel to connect an external GPS antenna to. The antenna can mount on the rear deck of the vehicle or on the roof. The module is serial and connects to an internal RS-232 header on the M²PC mainboard. It outputs NMEA compatible codes and will work with all major GPS software.

Mp3_Truck · 02-19-2001, 11:53 PM

where can i get one of these recievers with the external antenna i would prefer to keep gps in the truck and have a external antenna.

jjohnson · 02-20-2001, 01:59 PM

Sorry, we do not sell the GPS separately -- they are integrated into our product. Besides, the company we are dealing with is an OEM provider only; I don't think they will deal with individuals.

You can try some of the commercial units such as the TravRoute CoPilot. You can find surplus OEM style units from companies like Timeline, etc. Just check the posts on this site for GPS.

Mp3_Truck · 02-20-2001, 03:27 PM

well a few such as randmcnally make gps cheap for car use but they need to be mounted on the roof which is ok but i wanted the main box to be in the truck and a antenna to be on roof.

Sexor · 02-21-2001, 02:41 PM

1)First off MP3_Truck you need to respect jjohnson for not telling you what gps he uses.(thats what makes his system neat and exotic)if you want it so bad do some research on the internet and find one or buy one of his systems.

Quote:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Mp3_Truck:
well a few such as randmcnally make gps cheap for car use but they need to be mounted on the roof which is ok but i wanted the main box to be in the truck and a antenna to be on roof.</font>

2)do you even know what your talking about?
most gps for computers are just antenna's(recievers) with a pc card,usb,serial connector at the end.
(if you want your dam antenna on the roof open your door and but it on the roof and when your not using it do the opposite what i just said. or you could cut your cable on your gps and splice back together that would make your gps two parts like you wanted.

Callahan · 02-21-2001, 02:51 PM

That or stick it next to a window..