black_mamba

Hi everyone. I've been lurking for some time now and couldn't wait for my first post. I've been a gearhead and technology geek for as long as I can remember.

The car is a 2005 Chevy Uplander (not my choice, my company's). Since this a company car and is subject to visual inspections anytime I need to have my install as stealthy as posible. They don't look real close, but close enough where I can't change out the headunit and obviously can't have a touchscreen molded into the dash. My solution is to utilize a slide out cup holder (giving up the 2 won't hurt so bad since there are 4 others) and using a removable gooseneck and a custom quick release mount for the T/S. Audio will be via PAC AUX-BOX with a GM-12 harness.

For the CarPuter I have 2 options.

1) I have a Toshiba Tecra 8100 with a cracked lcd. It's a P3 700mhz with 192MB RAM, 12GB HD, and DVD.

2) Dell Optiplex GX260 with 2.2ghz P4, 256MB RAM, 30GB HD, DVD, and easily upgradable. Well kind of, it's a Dell after all.

I haven't decided which to go with yet. The Tecra is a perfect candidate with it's laptop form factor, I'm just not sure if it'll have enough processing power. In addition to the normal MP3, DVD, and GPS features, I'd also like to have WLAN, WWAN, DVD ripping/encoding/burning, scanner, and printer functions (don't ask why, it'd just be nice). Is this unreasonable?

Anyway, I just wanted everyone to know what I'm up to and you'll be seeing more of me here. I'm in the SF Bay Area so I'm planning on attending some meets when they come up.