Underseat laptop - On/off control
Submitted: Monday, Nov 28, 2005 at 07:19
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sonny
I am just about to part with some dollars and buy a 7" lilliput and looking somewhere to mount the laptop. On reading the archives, a few have mounted them under a
seat. I believe this is achievable in my 80 series. But for others who have done this, how do you turn the laptop on each time, as I wouldn't be to keen on having to unstrap it and pull it out and turn it on each time. Have you rigged up another power switch that can be got at with the computer closed. I am only using an old IBM T21 and its power switch can't be accessed with the lid closed.
Thanks
Shane
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:32
Monday, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:32
Shane,
Not any help to you at all in regards to the power switch problem.
I have a Thinkpad 600 and the power switch is on the left side of the unit and therefore can be accessed with the lid closed.
Some food for thought though. I have a 7" touchscreen that I have used once so far and I'm not sure I like the solution. Bloody cables everywhere.
I am now thinking of getting a universal laptop adaptor cradle to attach to the Versatrue car mounting system and therefore do away with the need for a touchscreen altogether. As
well as the cable issues, there are times when even the 7" screen is just too small and I have needed to extract the laptop from under the
seat. Also introduces the requirement for an additional 12 volt outlet to plug the touchscreen into, which with the laptop and GPS now ties up three sockets.
Leaves bugger all for additional connections such as the NiMH battery charger I use now and again for the camera, GPS, etc.
As with many things, the idea sounds good until you have tried it and find the solution introduces further problems to resolve.
Maybe I'm just getting too bloody old and my eyesight is not what it once was.
AnswerID:
141297
Follow Up By: Groove - Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 15:21
Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 15:21
The housing protrudes quite a bit because it allows for some rotation left and right. You get quite a bit of clearance.
FollowupID:
395735
Reply By: Groove - Monday, Nov 28, 2005 at 16:24
Monday, Nov 28, 2005 at 16:24
Hi Sonny
I solved this problem with a small modification to the laptop. I installed a small socket (like a headphone socket) to the rear of the laptop this socket is wired to the terminals on the switch that turns the laptop on and off. I have a switch on the dash with a plug that fits into the socket.
when I place the laptop under the
seat i plug in the touch screen , power, gps and remote switch.
It works
well see this link for pics.
BTW I use a lillput screen as
well and have had no trouble (it too has been modified)
Cheers
AnswerID:
141342
Follow Up By: BenSpoon - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2005 at 00:44
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2005 at 00:44
ditto.
A mini headphone socket in an empty corner of the lappy case plugs into a push button momentary switch on the dash which is also next to the switch for the inverter.
Setup the laptop to suspend when the power button is pressed, and set it to shutdown after 10 mins on screen saver so it never has to come out from storage.
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395097
Follow Up By: sonny - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2005 at 08:40
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2005 at 08:40
Thanks Groove & Benspoon
Thats what I thought I might have to do.
Groove
On the cradle you got from the US to mount the screen in the Din slot, how far does the screen sit out from the front of the dash, when its out. The landcruiser dash sort of curves down and protudes out past the front the front of the radio / uhf. I was probably going to get the screen first and have a look where it best fits, but I do like the idea of mounting it in a din slot. I would just have to relocate the uhf somewhere else.
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395120
Follow Up By: Groove - Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 15:22
Friday, Dec 02, 2005 at 15:22
oops posted follow up in wrong place , see above
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395736