Laptop or DashTop?

mandm · 06-22-2007, 03:28 PM

It seems I am either so thick that I cannot grasp simple thing or too much reading posts in this forum has made me brain dead!

I have a Hyundai Terracan (4x4) and I would like to install a carputer, simple really. I still don’t know what’s the best way to go about it? I like the idea of laptop but don’t feel comfortable leaving the laptop in the car, unless I go for some sort of ‘plug and remove’ option! The other option, PC, sounds complicated but probably cheaper?

Guys help me out to decide.
cheers

symon_say · 06-22-2007, 03:52 PM

You can use a dock station for the laptop and make it plug n' play

DarquePervert · 06-23-2007, 05:23 AM

You're not finding a post that says "This is the best way to do your project" because there is not rhead that says "tyhis is the best way to do your project". It's your project. You work with what you have to achieve the best results you can, plain and simple.

FusionFanatic · 06-23-2007, 07:28 AM

do you already have any componets that you could use to start your project? if so, then you may want to start there.

in my case, I had an old laptop that I didn't use much anymore so I chose that as the base for my carputer project. I bought a docking station for $20 off ebay that allows me to remove/reconnect the laptop at anytime without having to individually hook/unhook wires/cables. to take the laptop with you, you just pull it out; to use it again, you just push it in; it's that simple. all cables are plugged into the docking station, not to the laptop itself.

it comes down to what you can afford... if you don't have any components already, there are plenty of laptops with broken screens on ebay. they can be a fast and cheap start for you (would be much cheaper than building a mini-ITX system from scratch.

good luck

mandm · 06-23-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by symon_say

You can use a dock station for the laptop and make it plug n' play

i like that idea, thanks mate

mandm · 06-23-2007, 02:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

You're not finding a post that says "This is the best way to do your project" because there is not rhead that says "tyhis is the best way to do your project". It's your project. You work with what you have to achieve the best results you can, plain and simple.

i agree with u mate, it just i need a starting point, somewhere i could get to see a light at the end of the tunnel!

mandm · 06-23-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ComputerGeek

do you already have any componets that you could use to start your project? if so, then you may want to start there.

in my case, I had an old laptop that I didn't use much anymore so I chose that as the base for my carputer project. I bought a docking station for $20 off ebay that allows me to remove/reconnect the laptop at anytime without having to individually hook/unhook wires/cables. to take the laptop with you, you just pull it out; to use it again, you just push it in; it's that simple. all cables are plugged into the docking station, not to the laptop itself.

it comes down to what you can afford... if you don't have any components already, there are plenty of laptops with broken screens on ebay. they can be a fast and cheap start for you (would be much cheaper than building a mini-ITX system from scratch.

good luck

hi mate, thanks for your detailed response, yep i have an old IBM laptop with a docking station so that's starting point. Now all i need is perhaps a screen and some sort of power option? and some cabling to get the lappie to be powered on/off and perhaps suitable location for lappie to reside

FusionFanatic · 06-23-2007, 03:50 PM

for the monitor I used a lilliput EBY701 ($115 on ebay)

my laptop/docking station is mounted in the trunk. I used 10' VGA, USB, and RCA cables to connect the monitor, touchscreen, and audio. I soldered wires to the docking station's power button and ran them to a switch, however most people probably run them to a startup/shutdown controller instead.

for laptop power I bought a vehicle power supply ($25 on ebay). the monitor is plugged right into vehicle 12v.

hope this helps... good luck

caheoo123 · 08-02-2007, 06:14 AM

You can use a dock station for the laptop and make it plug n' play