Has anyone put an actual computer in their car? I have been thinking about it for a while now. My concerns are primarilily cold and placement (to ensure that it does not short out) Any ideas?

 

Well I haven't put one in my own car but I've installed a "carputer" into my buddy's car. Anyway check out this forum to learn everything you need to know: MP3Car forums. When I get my RX7 I'm gonna build a carputer. If you have any questions that you can't find answers to then shoot me a PM and I'll help you out.

As far as I've read, and from my buddy's experience, cold isn't an issue. Its 10-20F here every morning and his carputer works fine every time. As for where to put it, you can put it under a seat, in the back, anywhere. If you go with a Flex-ATX (i think its flex) then you can fit it in a double din slot (yes they are THAT small lol) behind your monitor (if you put the monitor in the double din slot). Good luck!

 

You will want you use an ITX board, not a flex board. ITX motherboards are much smaller (17 cm X 17 cm and you can get integrated boards with integrated sound (dolby 5.1 on some) built in DVD decoders, etc.

Here is the one I have been using for automotive purposes:
http://www.directron.com/viaepiam1000.html It even has S video so you can feed directly into video screen for a car.

 

I am planning to make one of those with the same board myself.

 

how are you powering it in the car?

 

use a power DC to AC power inverter

 

DCrosby is currently working on one for his FD. I don't think he has a thread about it, but PM him if you want info.

 

The other night DCrosby showed me all the stuff he got for his FD. When it's done, he will never have to leave his car.


I think he has an expresso machine thats going in as well

 

go DCrosby go! i'd like to see pictures i too want this on my ride cause i love computers. having winamp to play music in your car would be the isssssshhhh...