best laptop size for running oziexplorer in car

Hi bigaz
I have various laptop computers, and at the moment using a Toshiba 8.9 on the arm rest in the centre consul of my Prado. Toshiba also make the 10.2 and are about to release an 11" new model as well. The 8.9 suits all my needs, and best of all running XP rather than Vista, but still take a 15.4" to download photos daily.

It will come down to what suits your need and space in your vehicle when travelling.

Cheers

Stephen

G'day Bigaz, been going through the same conundrum myself. I am leaning towards the netbooks for size, but I am still coming to terms with the fact that they don't have an optical drive (cd/dvd). I suppose the only way to use them is with SD cards etc, but I guess I am sorta old fashioned. I reckon the 10" screen would be fine, just my opinion, and certainly take up much less cabin space... my other problem, whether laptop or netbook, is the 2 airbags at the front, where to logically put the set-up, as it is a daily driver too.
Good luck, Dave

Down a little to what size you put up, but I use a EeePC 901 8.9 inch screen. Use external H/D or SD card, solid state drive which is better in a vehicle as they are not prone to damage as a normal lap top. The only thing I have noticed is the power usage, I may have to change the set I have. Other than that great unit and a fair bit cheaper than a normal lap top, under $500.

Do you need the PC version of oziexplorer in the car?
Perhaps buy a cheap gps unit that can run the CE version. You can get 7" wince gps units around $200-250 on ebay.

Thought about a touch screen in your existing radio DIN slots? I have that setup and the lappy lives under the seat neatly tucked away. It's not a 12inch screen but find if you zoom enough it's fine

yah kinda wanted a laptop so the mrs could watch dvd's ect, but i guess that would have to be off usb drive seeing as no dvd drive

yah have been through that thought process aswell. and if someone in asian ebay land didn't ripp me off actually sent the 10 inch touchscreen i paid for the i would have the exact same setup..

however since then dicided i want something that isn't fully fixed incar, that can take when camping too look at maps, watch dvd, interent ect and use aaround the house for internet ect..

hence at the point now where i have decided on a netbook that can be used in car with craddle and can be taken out and used externally from the car

plus remove effort of installing laptop and screen in car

cheers aaron

I currently use a 12" Toshiba Laptop for Ozi and as a computer when travelling.

It is mounted on a BOSS mount which does it's job, but still suffers some shake/vibration on more extreme travelling, even though it is mounted to the floor at 3 points.

I will be changing to a lighter 8.9" Toshie soon, (cheap as chips these days) and will mount that on a platform hard mounted to the dash frame from behind the DIN stereo recess.

The bigger laptops are a bit too heavy for any effective mounting to be had, and more chance they may impinge on airbag function or passengers in many newer vehicles.

looks like the are a fair few people running with small net books (less than 10") with no probs. i take these small units have enough ram to run ozieplorer moving maps no drama.

found some pretty sweet mounts for netbooks.. so much better the those massive floor mounted units for full laptops

http://www.ram-mount.com/Products/NetbookMounts/tabid/1645/Default.aspx

aaron

I've used 15", 12" (remote displays) 14" and 12" (laptops) , 8.9" (EeePC), 8" touch screen, 7" Chinese GPS, 5" chinese GPS, 4.3 " Mio Moov 300.

Big is beautiful, but can be imposing. The Mio is good too but only one person gets a good look.

I reckon the 8.9" hits the sweet spot.

The 7" would be OK but resolution is below all the others.

I wish my eyes were as good as they used to be. It can be very frustrating needing glasses to even see the speedo. Better than being blind I guess.

I tend to run the Oz 1:250,000 on the EeePC and the the Hema maps on the 5" or Mio at the same time.

Hi Bigaz
I have used a 15" laptop but found it too cumbersome. Then used a PDA and found it too small. I now have a 12" tablet (Acer) and it is perfect. I think 10 or 12 inches gives you a really good screen that is easy to read and shows you a decent size bit of map. Having a computer also allows downloads of pictures, web access when you can get a connection and heaps of space for all the maps you can ever need. I have found the touch screen on the tablet to be really worthwhile as the computer sits flat and all the mapping can be used without the need for a keyboard. I only wish I had got the tablet first as it would have saved me a lot of time and effort not to mention cash.
Good luck with your choice and happy travels.
Cheers

Dave

i've just fitted a DIY little cradle in my Hilux for an ASUS eeePC with 9" screen. i've had it in for a few small trips but nothing big yet but it all fits nicely, runs Ozi no worries and the screen seems plenty big enough for the mapping. Although all i'm doing with the eeePC is running Ozi and a web browser and a couple of very small works programs so I don't bog it down. If you wanted to store photos etc it would struggle. I've got all the Ozi maps on a 16GB SD card to keep the main memory free and it runs fine that way without any noticeable slowing (when I drive the moving map is instantly updated and accurate). I found a 12 volt power source at Jayco suitable for the eeePC so it runs off that full time when driving. I like the solid state drive in the eeePC which in theory should be more robust. I'm off the SA for a few weeks on lots of bumpy roads so can give more feedback in late August :)
there's been a thread running on the 4WD action forum (GPS section) for a while on this topic too with some gopod info and pics of other adapted cradles.
if i get some time i'll upload some pics - the Hilux has a bit of a real estate issue on the dash and it was a challenge to find a spot that it fitted without getting in the way of the gears or the air vents but I got it sorted and it all works.
Lucas

i use a 15" but thats not why i am replying ---

Ebay for your laptop - you dont need a brand new one at $700 - $2000 for bashing around in your car

buy a cheap one of ebay for $300 will properly only be 12 months old( they would have paid $1000 + ) - and wont hurt as much if it gets broken --- i do this and have no hesitation in just throwing it away after a few years if things go sour - or just give to the kids to destroy unless you have more money than you really need - you don't need to buy Brand new - and just remember -- you may buy the newest Laptop this week --- within 1 week its worth half of what you paid for it and probably outdated within 2 months

Boc

Installing/running am LCD scrren computer in a vehicle can result in problems realting to light (too much) and poor contrast on the screen making it almost impossible at times to read the contents of the screen.

I am surprised that nobody in this thread is using a Car PC for Ozie Explorer. this is my 7" Automotive grade touch screen in the dash of my Hilux. No problems reading it sunlight.



Runs Ozi just fine:


And also Street Nav.



I mounted the GPS receiver out under the plastic windscreen wiper cowling:




DVD Player



The PC I use is a Pentium M laptop monted behind the rear seat with a proper 12 volt Car PC Power supply.



Anyway, I find the 7" screen fine for OziExplorer, I have a lot of other features buit into this. Bluetooth, Wireless network but that is a bit off topic.