Cheapest Car Computer
Submitted: Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 at 08:28
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Bob of KAOS
I have just completed a trip using a new Mac Mini as the car computer. The Mac Mini cost $850 with education discount (2 GB ram upgrade was extra). It contains an Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz and runs Windows XP Pro as
well as Mac OS. Why do you need Windows you might ask. Sadly OziExplorer only runs on Windows. I used Parallels to run Windows inside Mac OS but you could use Bootcamp.
I used a cheap USB GPS mounted inside the funny glass window at the back of the Disco (I knew there had to be a use for these windows). It was mounted on a bracket that also held the Satphone and Tom Tom external antennas. I used a Belkin FM transmitter to feed sound through the car radio. I lashed out and bought a 500 W sine wave inverter to run the computer, the Bigpond Next G modem and all other chargers, but the system ran OK with the cheaper 300 W modified SW inverter.
The monitor was mounted on the roof console abaft the cabin light and folded up when not needed. The image was inverted by Mac OS.
A really cool thing to do is run Google Earth Plus or Google Maps with real time GPS feed (only works where there is CDMA coverage).
Reply By: MyGreenCruiser - Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 at 09:39
Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 at 09:39
Hi Bob,
I also have a Mini Mac and was considering the same due to it's small size.
Some questions I have:
Where have you mounted it?
- I was thinking it may fit (100 series) where the double din sterio is then mount a small 7" screen in front while still being able to load CD's and DVD's into the front loading slot.
Are you using the keyboard and mouse or have you found a touch screen that can replace these?
- I haven't looked into this yet, so would appriechiate any adivce, brand and models, etc.
Thanks.
Chris
AnswerID:
236545
Follow Up By: Bob of KAOS - Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 at 21:33
Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 at 21:33
Chris
I place an aluminium mesh screen behind the passenger seats to keep the gear in the back from tumbling forwards. I mounted the Mac Mini and several other electronic items (Modem,
HF radio,
UHF radio, sat phone on the passenger side of the screen. I used a padded aluminium flange and elastic strap to support the computer. I used cable ties for all leads etc and it looked pretty schmick.
I could have mounted it in the roof console. Using the remote control it is easy to control music etc (load all your CDs into iTunes before the trip) from the front.
I used a Logitech wireless mouse. The key board is used so little I just used the smallest I could find with a USB extension.
I found a 12" monitor but smaller would be fine.
Bob
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Reply By: Tim HJ61 (WA) - Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 at 13:25
Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 at 13:25
Very nice.
So, could you see yourself on Google Earth? :-)
How did the MM go over the rough roads? Laptops, as I understand, have better damping systems for the drives.
Tim
who's current family is
G5 iMac 20"
G4 Powerbook
G4 eMac
7600 with G4 card
plus a bunch of others in the past.
AnswerID:
236589
Follow Up By: Bob of KAOS - Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 at 21:40
Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 at 21:40
Tim
We travelled some of the most appalling roads imaginable (corrugations, crashing into dunes etc)
The monitor connector fell out of its socket a few times and the USB plugs came out but the computer never crashed.
I was really surprised at the punishment it absorbed.
Bob
(Dual G5 tower, G4 iBook, Mac Mini, plus three other iBooks for wife and kids, and my first Mac in 1985)
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