In Car laptop
Submitted: Sunday, Sep 12, 2004 at 21:54
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Groove
Hi all,
I have seen a number of threads on this site discussing various ways of mounting a laptop in a car. I have recently completed a laptop install in my GU and thought some of you might like some ideas.
The laptop is actually under the drivers
seat and connected to a screen that folds into the dash.
Pics Here
Cheers
Reply By: Skinny- Sunday, Sep 12, 2004 at 22:41
Sunday, Sep 12, 2004 at 22:41
Looks amazing but I spend my life trying to get away from little screens.
Good job but. DYI can be the best install,
well done.
AnswerID:
76136
Follow Up By: Groove - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 10:18
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 10:18
Thanks Skinny
I work with computers all day and try to avoid them as
well, but this was such a cool project I couldnt resist.
cheers
FollowupID:
335972
Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 07:56
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 07:56
Groove,
that looks sensational. I have a 15" screen which is great for viewing but a bit bigger tahn it really needs to be, and your touch screen appeals as
well. How much did the screen and mount cost?
AnswerID:
76151
Follow Up By: Groove - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 10:14
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 10:14
Hi Bob
I got the screen off ebay about 8 months ago it was about $350 at the time. They are about au$400 now. The in-dash housing was US$100, I got it when the dollar was good.
It is worth noting that this monitor is a true VGA monitor, and although some laptops have a normal video out that will plug into the cheaper video screens around this works at true 600*800 (and higher) resolutions.
For maps it looks great and is very
bright.
I saw the same screen (not in the in-dash housing) for over $600 at a 12volt specialist at the 4x4 show at Rose
Hill earlier this year.
What inspired this project was the reluctance of my girlfirend to have a laptop sitting on her lap.
Let me know if you have anymore questions
Cheers
FollowupID:
335970
Reply By: Des Lexic - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 09:26
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 09:26
Thanks for your presentation groove. I'm in the process of doing something similar and you have given me some options to consider
AnswerID:
76161
Follow Up By: Groove - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 10:15
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 10:15
Thanks for the feedback, all questions gladly answered.
Groove
FollowupID:
335971
Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 10:39
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 10:39
Groove,
It looks like you can purchase the screen and the housing complete. Am I right in assuming this with the pictures and leads? That being the case wouldn't it be simpler than all the soldering and circuitry you have done? For an electrical dummy like me it is a lot easier to plug than have to worry about the quality of my soldering and that I have the connections to the right
places.
I currently have an arm coming from behind the seats to hold my lightweight laptop and 12 inch screen. It is a risk for my laptop in the car though - when it is there.
AnswerID:
76167
Follow Up By: Groove - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 11:38
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 11:38
Hi John
The The digital WW site now sells the lilliput screen already mounted in the indash housing. They have only strarted doing this very recently, it was not available when I got
mine.
The screen itself is more expensive from Digital WW (about au$70 more). I got
mine on ebay from a Hong Kong supplier. Add to that the extra us$50 to do the conversion and it becoms a bit expensive. I only got the housing from digital ww.
However if you are not keen to do the modification yourself (and it is a bit tricky) its a good option.
Cheers
FollowupID:
335980
Reply By: Member - Alan S (NSW) - Friday, Sep 17, 2004 at 15:31
Friday, Sep 17, 2004 at 15:31
Hi Groove,
That's exactly the type of installation I am looking to do myself and its great that it packs away unseen when you are not using it without having to dismantle it.
Couple of questions about the screen as I have never seen or used one:
Does the small screen completely replicate your laptops screen or does it just show part of it or how does this bit work?
Also, how does the touch screen part work? Is that via another cable to your laptop? Is it a bit like using a mouse? Do you have a pen/ pointer similar to Pocket PC's? How do you start and end programs as your laptop is under the
seat?
Any information you can provide is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Alan
AnswerID:
76821