G4 PowerMac, meet 350Z!

MacGuru · 10-03-2004, 05:55 PM

Yes, you read right! It's a Mac computer in a 350Z. This will be the ultimate in-car entertainment system!

I've been putting this together for about a year and I think I finally have every thing worked out. Thanks to all the "how to" threads and everyone who helped get me this far. I've played out the installation in my head at least a dozen times and I feel pretty comfortable. I have a lot of experience with hardware and software configurations, but I lack experience in electrical set-up. What I'm looking for is advice on what size wires and in-line fuse's to use through out! To make it easy for everyone to view my set-up, I've put together a website with all the details.

http://www.mac-mobile.com

I look forward to hearing feedback and suggestions.

Cheers. -m

dodgetimes2 · 10-03-2004, 07:16 PM

From your software description, you state that you're using VirtualPC and WinXp, so are you even using OSX for anything? If you are using WinXP for everything then what was the point of using the Mac? Just curious, anyways looks like a nice project.

MacGuru · 10-03-2004, 07:28 PM

Win XP is only for GPS Navigation and OBD-II software. All media will be played through OS X. Major advantage is low efficient power consumption. Next is the plethora of built in ports and features. Next is software! Mac's come loaded with great media management software. Not to mention, this project doesn't even include the iPod yet to come. This will be an easy addition to the system. Future plans are 5.1 surround sound.

dodgetimes2 · 10-03-2004, 07:35 PM

That explains it then. Are you writing a custom frontend to control it all? Will the GPS and OBD be integrated into a frontend?

MacGuru · 10-03-2004, 08:36 PM

No custom front end needed on the Mac. OS GUI is perfect for touch screen. However, on XP I'd like to get something for the Nav and OBD-II, this way I don't have to see Windows.

IntellaWorks · 10-03-2004, 08:59 PM

Why even do something ludicrus as that.. your going to embarass mac even more.

Spaghetti · 10-03-2004, 09:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by IntellaWorks

Why even do something ludicrus as that.. your going to embarass mac even more.

Nice car though...

MacGuru · 10-03-2004, 09:18 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by IntellaWorks

Why even do something ludicrus as that.. your going to embarass mac even more.

What can possibly make you think using a Mac would be embarrasing or ludicrus in any way? The Mac is a more suitable multi-media computer than the more commonly used Epia boards. Besides having the ability to run any software on ANY playform, the Mac has better power management and runs efficiently.

Everyone has their own opinions.

MacGuru · 10-03-2004, 09:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Spaghetti

Nice car though...

Thanks. -m

mushin · 10-03-2004, 09:25 PM

"Major advantage is low efficient power consumption"? If power consumption is such a concern, you should cut that 1.4GB of RAM down to, oh, a third? I can't imagine what you need that much ram for in the car, and in those quanities DRAM power consumption really starts to add up.

Of course, a mini-itx system with a C3 chip would have a much lower power profile, but perhaps it's not powerful enough for you. I'm guessing the biggest reason though, is you love macs

To each his own...

MacGuru · 10-04-2004, 06:52 PM

That's my point! Power consumption is NOT a problem. Actually, I may cut the RAM down to 1GB, but anything less (in any computer) is just unacceptable.

VPC and XP are the main reason for the large RAM size for the car computer. Good advice on the RAM. Thanks. -m

ucidave · 10-05-2004, 11:32 AM

wow the cult of mac, even here =D *drone* *steve jobs is goood*

just kidding. =D

edscholl · 10-05-2004, 11:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MacGuru

What can possibly make you think using a Mac would be embarrasing or ludicrus in any way? The Mac is a more suitable multi-media computer than the more commonly used Epia boards. Besides having the ability to run any software on ANY playform, the Mac has better power management and runs efficiently.

i'm a big fan of os x, but saying that the mac has better power management and runs efficiently, compared to an epia board running xp, is simply ignorant. regarding "better power management", os x only has an off mode, and a sleep mode; there is no hibernate like there is on windows boxes. sleep uses a *lot* more power than hibernate (essentially off)- something on the order of 10 watts on the g4. when it comes to efficiency, the power usage when on is more than an epia board.

Quote: Originally Posted by MacGuru

That's my point! Power consumption is NOT a problem. Actually, I may cut the RAM down to 1GB, but anything less (in any computer) is just unacceptable.

VPC and XP are the main reason for the large RAM size for the car computer. Good advice on the RAM. Thanks. -m

back to efficiency (i know you were talking about power before, but this is somewhat related), any system on which anything less than 1GB of ram is unacceptable is not even vaguely efficient.

i've thought about an apple based solution for a carputer, but the relatively poor power management makes it a *very* poor solution for the car. you're either dealing w/ a long boot time by turning the system off each time, or accepting unacceptably high power draws for a mobile system when the system is in sleep mode.

pimpJ · 10-05-2004, 11:37 PM

pizzowned

xBrady · 10-06-2004, 12:05 AM

Yet another attack Mac thread.....