Mini-box Offers Sub-$300 Car PC Kit
Posted by stncttr908 on 03 October 2005 - 15:16 · 46 comments & 5394 views
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(7 replies)
#1 Posted by mko on 03 Oct 2005 - 15:17
- nice, it looks like a in-car amp too.
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#1.1 Posted by HoochieMamma on 03 Oct 2005 - 15:18
- My exact thoughts when I saw it.
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#1.3 Posted by sphbecker on 03 Oct 2005 - 18:37
- Yes, you nenver know when you will need to play Doom on your drive to work.
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#1.6 Posted by SoLiD_MasteR on 04 Oct 2005 - 04:02
- lol
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#2 Posted by hotdog963al on 03 Oct 2005 - 15:18
- I want one!
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#3 Posted by xp1ode on 03 Oct 2005 - 15:22
- that is a must, it looks really cool might have to grab one sooooon....
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(2 replies)
#4 Posted by Ashl on 03 Oct 2005 - 15:23
- Yeah cool, wonder when Windows Automotive Edition will be coming out(hopefully)... should include GPS, Media Center like compatibility, dvd and multiple screen support to allow back seats to watch film or something while front navigates.
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#4.1 Posted by neufuse on 03 Oct 2005 - 15:24
- there already is one built on windows CE by microsoft...
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#4.2 Posted by voidunknown on 03 Oct 2005 - 19:04
- Yea, but it's not for the every day joe. That platform is only designed and customized for car manufacturers to use in their OEM vehicles.
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(3 replies)
#5 Posted by jeavis on 03 Oct 2005 - 15:38
- No hard drive? Can you add your own, or does it have to be USB?
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#5.1 Posted by stncttr908 on 03 Oct 2005 - 16:48
- It accepts 2.5" hard drives. They also sell shock absorbant mounts.
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#5.2 Posted by sphbecker on 03 Oct 2005 - 18:39
- I would stick with solid state for use in a car; especially if you have a pretty load sound system.
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#5.3 Posted by voidunknown on 03 Oct 2005 - 19:05
- Actually, everyday driving and sound systems don't effect the hard drive at all. I have a 3.5" Maxtor in my Carputer and it sits 10" away from my 2x12" subs. Never had a problem.
The only reason you would need solid state storage is if you planned on doing 4x4ing with your carputer. That is the only time anyone has reported trouble. Even then, it's really rare.
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(6 replies)
#6 Posted by TRC on 03 Oct 2005 - 15:39
- Cell phones are bad enough. Do we really need people driving around while playing The Sims?
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#6.1 Posted by posthumous_GRIN on 03 Oct 2005 - 15:50
- Haha, that made me laugh. Funny/scary visual.
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#6.2 Posted by lnatan25 on 03 Oct 2005 - 16:12
- Huh, or perhaps Need for Speed Underground 1/2...
Then the drivers forgets he's driving in real life, and pushes the Nitro button right next to the wheel.
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#6.4 Posted by Marduk on 03 Oct 2005 - 16:43
- It is nice and all but like TRC said, WE DONT NEED ANY MORE DISTRACTIONS IN CARS FOR MORONS! Its irresponsible for a company to go overboard like this and make an in car computer, drivers need to do what cars are made for get to point A to point B not surf the web while trying to drive, it will happen.
Here in Newfoundland you'll get a ticket if your on a cellphone and your driving
should be that way everywhere, the ROAD is for DRIVING, might be a hard concept for some of your out there these days but you'll learn it in time I'm sure. -
#6.5 Posted by voidunknown on 03 Oct 2005 - 19:06
- These systems aren't for gaming. Seriously. You can't play NFS 1/2 on it. You might get away with solitaire or tetris, don't expect much more.
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#6.6 Posted by dragon2611 on 03 Oct 2005 - 19:55
- I can think a good use for one of these would be route planning software + a gps reciever.
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#7 Posted by Toastyone on 03 Oct 2005 - 16:06
- oo nice I would like to have one of these
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(1 reply)
#8 Posted by nicedreams on 03 Oct 2005 - 16:35
- I'm going to have to get one to see how powerful it is. I hope it plays DIVX and other codecs with ease.
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#8.1 Posted by roadwarrior on 03 Oct 2005 - 17:39
- It's a full 1Ghz computer, why wouldn't it?
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#9 Posted by SimplyPotatoes on 03 Oct 2005 - 16:42
- just bought one
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#10 Posted by voidunknown on 03 Oct 2005 - 16:48
- I already have a carputer and have had it for about a year, not this case though. Same motherboard and so on. It works great for basic stuff that you would do in a car. Definately NOT for gaming. Plays DVD, DivX, MP3 just fine with no skipping. Also works wonderful for GPS. This system does not offer the best power solution though. If you want a great car 12v power supply, check out Opus Solutions. They make the best.
If you are interested in getting into a carputer, check out the mp3car.com forum. They helped me build mine, I'm sure they can help you too. There is a wealth of information on the forum for Car PC's. Also, if you have any questions, PM me and I'll help ya out.
***WARNING*** Car PC's are a very EXPENSIVE hobbie. I easily sunk about $1700 into mine.
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(3 replies)
#11 Posted by kaborka on 03 Oct 2005 - 16:58
- Now if I can just find or build an interface to the car's wiring, I can use one of these to run the engine on the old roadster I'm restoring. I would put in two computers, one for the engine and another for backup that would normally handle all accessories.
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#11.1 Posted by jimbo11883 on 03 Oct 2005 - 17:17
- Hopefully you choose Linux...
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#11.2 Posted by voidunknown on 03 Oct 2005 - 19:12
- It's easier than you think. Just get an aftermarket head unit with Aux. Inputs. Then get a 3.5mm to RCA cable. Plug the 3.5mm into your carputer and the RCA cables into your head unit. Done deal.
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#12 Posted by Echilon on 03 Oct 2005 - 17:19
- Damn, I want one. I've been wanting to put a PC in my car for ages. Maybe I can get one from eBay
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#13 Posted by lylesback2 on 03 Oct 2005 - 20:22
- very interesting! i like this idea of a small, compact, low-energy cost PC in my car
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#14 Posted by illicit on 03 Oct 2005 - 20:50
- It looks pretty cool. I wouldn't mind having one of these.
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(1 reply)
#15 Posted by nvizible on 03 Oct 2005 - 21:20
- A set of dim parks using a total of between 15 and 30 watts? Surely the newer LED parks systems use only a few mW, which kind of negates their "less than the dimmest of parking lights" claim?
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#16 Posted by Mike Frett on 03 Oct 2005 - 22:22
- VIA might not make gaming cpus but they sure do make some great low power chips. Rock on brothers.
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#17 Posted by Steven on 03 Oct 2005 - 23:22
- too bad I live in Arizona. That PC would fry sitting in my car.
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#18 Posted by joker999 on 04 Oct 2005 - 01:34
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#19 Posted by Echelon Left on 04 Oct 2005 - 01:56
- I just hope these things come with a cut-off switch so the driver can't use it while he's behind the wheel. The last thing I need is for some moron to ram his truck into me becasue he was to busy playing Minesweeper to pay attention to the road.
I swear, some people really are too stupid to live.
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#20 Posted by mr_demilord on 04 Oct 2005 - 07:37
- OMG I hope there isn't windows installed on it.
And I hope you can get it out of your car easily.
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#21 Posted by Ruffneckting on 04 Oct 2005 - 08:07
- Sweet!
You could have a USB webcam mounted at the back of your car for reversing, or even one on the front to record your every movement (could be used to prove who was at fault in an accident.)
Audio Alert when going over certain speeds.
Route planner with GPS.
Email and internet through your bluetooth mobile.
Fingerprint recognition to start your car.
Get wireless installed and then at the Cruises everyone could play muliplayer. A whole new LAN Party!
The goes on...
Last edited by 26397 on 04 Oct 2005 - 08:12
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#22 Posted by davidtb on 04 Oct 2005 - 13:25
- It just suddenly occured to me..Why can't motherboard companies make Xbox's,PS2s, and ataris?
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#23 Posted by rIaHc3 on 04 Oct 2005 - 14:28
- I dont like the idea. Like said, when driving on the road your eyes should be on the road not a screen.
Based on VIA's EPIA series Mini-ITX motherboards, the VoomPC series x86 car PCs are specifically designed for low power conditions. The systems have an integrated 12V power supply to avoid power surge damages and eliminate battery drain, even when the car isn't running. Utilizing the VIA C3 processor, VIA and Mini-box claim the system uses no more than 15-30W of power at any time, which is less than the dimmest of parking lights. The unit features all the connectors one would expect, such as USB 2.0, Firewire, Ethernet, PCMCIA types I and II, S-Video, VGA, and six channel audio.
Barebones prices range from $299 to $399. The VoomPC is compatible with both Linux and Microsoft Windows.
v0.5.9.95