laptop in vehicle setup

Possibly not the answer you're after Peter, but I got a touchscreen off ebay for the same reason (and the hinges on the laptop gave way anyhow). That way I could tuck the laptop away once it was up and running, and not have the cumbersome laptop floating around in the front of the cab.

I made up a mount for it - temp job which straddled the centre consol and used velcro for stablising. However it worked!

Then only downsides - slightly limited functionality (no keyboard, but that's possible to sort out), and a slightly dodgey power supply.

Prior to this, I'd made up a platform to sit the laptop on. It was a pain in the backside!

Peter,

I'm using the Panasonic toughbook for the same purposes. Due to the lack of robust computer mounts available, I had a unit custom made for the Patrol by Brown-Davis Automotive in Melbourne. It utilises the existing front seat mounts. I've then utilised a RAM Mount to mount the actual computer. It utilises a double ball mount for a great range of movement. You can then fit an adjustable arm up the back of the mount that holds the screen in place. GPSOZ sell these mounts as well.

The whole unit is incredibly rigid and does not encroach into the passengers area. There are three photo's of the set-up on my rig page.

Cheers

Mick

Hi Peter,
You can buy a range of 7-10" TFT LCD monitors (both touch screen and not) from ebay. Most are from overseas. I bought an 8" touchscreen for $182. Arrived in 4 days from Hong Kong. It's the 2nd one I've bought in 9 years. The last one went for 6 years before I broke it (oops!).
regards
Garth

Peter, What about a couple of pieces of velcro to make a hinge effect . A couple of small pieces on the back of the screen and underneath the laptop with a "belt" of opposite velcro stuck to it. It will not stop the screen from going away from the keyboard but will stop it coming forward. If you wanted to stop the screen going back away from the keyboard you could put the pieces on the side of the laptop and the belt would act like a chain on a tool box ie stop the screen going back any further. Haven't tried it but just an idea.


Mark

Mick O (Vic) has some pics in his "My Profile" of a lap top set up.

Hi Peter

had a similar problem in my isuzu truck

I know you don't want a permanent solution but IMO it is only a matter of time before you will be up for a new laptop or a new set of teeth or worse after the laptop launches itself inside the cab.

After a lot of faffing and procrastination including the various Velcro solutions suggested above (they worked with varying degrees of success) went for the RAM solution with a screen support arm - works like a dream. Don't get me wrong I love Velcro - use 50mm adhesive to fix my portable dunny to the floor of the truck shower - also works a treat.

ram laptop mount

screen stabiliser

Obtainable from GPSOZ or from RAM US- a bit expensive but the duck's guts

Hope this helps

Here's my setup using a RAM mount.

I have exactly the same setup in my croozer. I now dont use the laptop tray as I have a touch screen If any one would like to buy it I will sell it for a reasonable offer It was over $100 new and has only been used once. I also have the screen stabiliser which I will include with it

The whole POD III including the tray is about $330 at Johnny Appleseed

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Heres how I did mine All on the passengers side of the car.