MacMini Carputer in Ford Focus New Shape

**trident** · 04-04-2009, 04:51 PM

Hi Guys!

I have been wanting to get a "Carputer" into my car for ages and have decided I'm gonna go for it!

First things first ... HELP! :P

I am from an IT background so I'm happy with the software side and getting that sorted for my car but i have very little experience in car electronics and no fabrication experience so I'm hoping you can give me a few pointers.

I'm currently at the very beginning of my project. A couple of things that I have decided already;

1) Im going to be using my MacMini for the carputer. This is one of the Intel models, not the ones that have just launched but the series just before that.

2) I want to install the carputer into my Focus with as little damage to the car as possible. Basically when i come to sell the car I don't want there to be any evidence of the carputer ever being there.

I have had a look around and the major components I want to use are;

Power: Carnetix CNX-P1900 V2.2 140W Dual Output Power Regulator with Carnetix MacPac Power Cable Kit

Monitor: LinITX 7" Widescreen TRANSFLECTIVE VGA/Composite with Touchscreen

I have already got a USB dongle for 3G internet connectivity. The MacMini has WiFi and Bluetooth already built-in so that should be my connectivity. I just need to get a FM/DAB and GPS solution sorted.

Now for the physical fitting! Has anyone fitted a carputer to a new shape focus before? Here are a few pics of my car;

Head Unit and shroud removed.

Close up of Head Unit and shroud removed.

Shroud installed.

Head unit installed.

Glove Box.

Boot.

Boot.

Right! That pretty much all the info I have.

Any comments?

**Bugbyte** · 04-04-2009, 10:37 PM

Thread moved to worklogs.

If you need to alter the bezel to fit the screen, you should get an identical one from a junkyard and use that. If the car is too new, you may have a problem with that, but that's what I'd try first.

Where were you thinking of putting the computer itself?

**trident** · 04-05-2009, 06:36 AM

I have already got a new bezle from ford and packed that away so i have it when it comes to selling the car.

I havent really decided where to put the mini itself. I just watched your CarPC 101 video on YouTube and fitting the Mini into the head unit slot looks like a really good idea. That way i have easy access to the CD drive.

The only problem i have is that the focus has a double din head unit. I want to keep the factory head unit as the amp for my system but its a bit of a beast to put into the glove box.

Was there any reason you went for XP on your Mini and not OSX?