Carputer

[hotwire132002]

After reading this (http://www.mujmac.cz/art/hw/tatra_mac_eng.html?tisk=on), I was inspired to install a computer in my car. Unfortunately, I didn't have the money for a setup that cool--so I took an old (GASP) Gateway I had laying around (P120, 2GB HDD, 32MB RAM) and installed it in my car. It's not nearly as cool as what the guy in the link did, but it didn't cost me anything either. Still, I wish I had a spare Mac I could have used instead!

[blackfox]

If you do a search around the forum archives, there were a couple of threads regarding a Czech man (I believe) who installed a PM into his sedan. Very well done, even more so than what you have posted. Worth a look.

Nice to see you are keeping busy (as always), hotwire.

[hotwire132002]

If you do a search around the forum archives, there were a couple of threads regarding a Czech man (I believe) who installed a PM into his sedan. Very well done, even more so than what you have posted. Worth a look.

Nice to see you are keeping busy (as always), hotwire.

Thanks. The link in my post is straight from one of those threads--they're what inspired me :D

[blackfox]

Thanks. The link in my post is straight from one of those threads--they're what inspired me :D
oh...sorry. I assumed the link was to what was pictured. Is that what you did then? Not bad, considering...

I get an "F" in reading comprehension... :o

[hotwire132002]

oh...sorry. I assumed the link was to what was pictured. Is that what you did then? Not bad, considering...

I get an "F" in reading comprehension... :o

My reading comprehension isn't so great either ;) -- if "Is that what you did then?" is referring to "Are those photos of what you did"--then yes. If it means "Did you do the same thing as the Czech guy?" -- then no.

"Is that what you did then" is just a little to vague for me :)

[apple2991]

oh...sorry. I assumed the link was to what was pictured. Is that what you did then? Not bad, considering...

I get an "F" in reading comprehension... :o

Yeah, but you get an "A" for "Assumptive".

[Wyvernspirit]

After reading this (http://www.mujmac.cz/art/hw/tatra_mac_eng.html?tisk=on), I was inspired to install a computer in my car. Unfortunately, I didn't have the money for a setup that cool--so I took an old (GASP) Gateway I had laying around (P120, 2GB HDD, 32MB RAM) and installed it in my car. It's not nearly as cool as what the guy in the link did, but it didn't cost me anything either. Still, I wish I had a spare Mac I could have used instead!

YOu could get a cheap Mac that meets or exceeds those stats if you so desire. I know cheap is in the eye o fthe beholder but I found a couple here for your viewing pleasure:

G3MT (233Mhz, 4GB, 64MB) $119 (http://www.powermax.com/cgi-global/generate_css_temp.cgi?p=c-u56745)

G3DT (266Mhz, 4GB, 64MB) $139 (http://www.powermax.com/cgi-global/generate_css_temp.cgi?p=c-u56615)

B&W (G3@300, 10GB, 256MB) $199 (http://www.macofalltrades.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3&pf%5Fid=G3300YO1&mscssid=RJBVA5C8LWUL9G03U99V21R8N81587G2)

or check this listing (http://www.baucomcomputers.com/) for these type of choices:

G3AIO (233mhz, 4GB, 128MB) $105

G3DT (300Mhz, 4GB, 160MB) $102

G3DT (233Mhz, 4GB, 128MB) $89

PB1400c (2GB, 64MB, CD) $179

All of the Choices are less then $200, one is below $100 and one is a notebook.

Just thought I would give you better choices than a gateway windows machine. :D

[hotwire132002]

YOu could get a cheap Mac that meets or exceeds those stats if you so desire. I know cheap is in the eye o fthe beholder but I found a couple here for your viewing pleasure:

G3MT (233Mhz, 4GB, 64MB) $119 (http://www.powermax.com/cgi-global/generate_css_temp.cgi?p=c-u56745)

G3DT (266Mhz, 4GB, 64MB) $139 (http://www.powermax.com/cgi-global/generate_css_temp.cgi?p=c-u56615)

B&W (G3@300, 10GB, 256MB) $199 (http://www.macofalltrades.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3&pf%5Fid=G3300YO1&mscssid=RJBVA5C8LWUL9G03U99V21R8N81587G2)

or check this listing (http://www.baucomcomputers.com/) for these type of choices:

G3AIO (233mhz, 4GB, 128MB) $105

G3DT (300Mhz, 4GB, 160MB) $102

G3DT (233Mhz, 4GB, 128MB) $89

PB1400c (2GB, 64MB, CD) $179

All of the Choices are less then $200, one is below $100 and one is a notebook.

Just thought I would give you better choices than a gateway windows machine. :D

Trust me, I'd prefer a Mac, but right now I'm saving up for my own car (the computer is in my parent's car, since I don't have one :( ).

[MacDawg]

Your parents let you install this in their car??
What kind of vehicle was it? I didn't see where you mentioned that.

What do you use the 'puter for?

[hotwire132002]

Your parents let you install this in their car??
What kind of vehicle was it? I didn't see where you mentioned that.

What do you use the 'puter for?

It's a conversion van. Big ol' Ford.

It's pretty much the family car, so they didn't mind me installing it.

I mostly use the carputer for MP3s and CDs--since the car doesn't have a CD player.

[jared_kipe]

Holy cow, my parents would never have allowed that. And I wouldn't consider a mostly stock G3 at $200 to be cheap.

[Wyvernspirit]

Trust me, I'd prefer a Mac, but right now I'm saving up for my own car (the computer is in my parent's car, since I don't have one :( ).

I Just noted your signature:

Edit Suite: PowerMac G5 Dual 2.5 Ghz, 1GB RAM, 250GB HDD BTO
For Music: 20GB 4G iPod
On the Go: iBook G4 1Ghz, 512MB RAM, 60 GB HDD CTO

Thought is you can afford that you could afford a $200 or less computer for your carputer needs. I mean these computers are all cheaper then the iPod. But I can understand where you are coing from. I have an iPod (an older 15GB) and a G4 and can't afford the computers I mentioned so take it as you will.

;) You could take a hundred or two out of your car fund to get a good computer to install in your new car when the time is right. Given the prices of a decent car it won't hurt that much ;)

[Wyvernspirit]

Holy cow, my parents would never have allowed that. And I wouldn't consider a mostly stock G3 at $200 to be cheap.

its not compleately stock (256MB of RAM) and the best price I could find elsewhere was around $350 and that did not include the added RAM. And don't get me started with earlier models, the 8600s and 9600s were more then the G3s. At least the G3s give you a good choice of offering OS X or "Classic."

As for what Computer you do put in, you might want to figure out what you want to do with it, find out what software is available and get the computer that fits your needs.

[virividox]

good job. my parents wouldnt trust me with any car to do that hehe

[hotwire132002]

I Just noted your signature:



Thought is you can afford that you could afford a $200 or less computer for your carputer needs. I mean these computers are all cheaper then the iPod. But I can understand where you are coing from. I have an iPod (an older 15GB) and a G4 and can't afford the computers I mentioned so take it as you will.

;) You could take a hundred or two out of your car fund to get a good computer to install in your new car when the time is right. Given the prices of a decent car it won't hurt that much ;)

I got the iPod on the Cram and Jam deal--$70 :D
I'm planning on getting a car, and THEN a mac to put in it. I think that will work well--put the mac in my car, leave the Windoze machine in my parents' car :)

[cpjakes]

Speaking of all of this, what about touch panel LCDs for Macs? I've been trying to find one for a while to make an old console radio into a Mac controlled media center and want to put in a small touch panel. Any ideas?

[MacDawg]

So you are saving for a car. Did I miss it? Did you tell us what kind of car you are saving for, and where/how you plan to mount your Mac?

That might be interesting.

[Wyvernspirit]

I got the iPod on the Cram and Jam deal--$70 :D
I'm planning on getting a car, and THEN a mac to put in it. I think that will work well--put the mac in my car, leave the Windoze machine in my parents' car :)

So you are cursing your parents to a life in h***. Hope you didn't connect it to anything important on the car, I can see one blue screen of Death and...

[Wyvernspirit]

By the way, are you making your car purchase with the Mac install in mind (i.e. are you looking for a car that has the right "space," attitude, and environment for the Little Mac)?

:cool:

[hotwire132002]

Speaking of all of this, what about touch panel LCDs for Macs? I've been trying to find one for a while to make an old console radio into a Mac controlled media center and want to put in a small touch panel. Any ideas?

I haven't looked in to a touch panel yet--so I can't help you out. I know Xenarc (www.xenarc.com) makes some, and I think they use USB, but I don't know about Mac compatability.

[hotwire132002]

So you are saving for a car. Did I miss it? Did you tell us what kind of car you are saving for, and where/how you plan to mount your Mac?

That might be interesting.

I didn't say what I'm saving for--but my REQUIREMENTS are:

Automatic transmission
It runs
I fit it it (I'm over 6'--I don't fit in compact cars :D)

things I'd like are:

DIN slot where I can put an in-dash LCD

Pretty much, I don't care what car I get, as long as it meets my reqirements. I'll take any car, though I am keeping the carputer in mind. Anyone in Michigan have a car they're willing to sell for under $1000?
:D

[hotwire132002]

So you are cursing your parents to a life in h***. Hope you didn't connect it to anything important on the car, I can see one blue screen of Death and...

It's not connected to anything important--It's connected to the TV in the car. That's it. It's powered by a DC>AC inverter.

[MacDawg]

I didn't say what I'm saving for--but my REQUIREMENTS are:

Automatic transmission
It runs
I fit it it (I'm over 6'--I don't fit in compact cars :D)

things I'd like are:

DIN slot where I can put an in-dash LCD

Pretty much, I don't care what car I get, as long as it meets my reqirements. I'll take any car, though I am keeping the carputer in mind. Anyone in Michigan have a car they're willing to sell for under $1000?
:D

Good luck!
I bought a car for $750 and drove it for 5 years without any problems.
It can be done my friend!

I didn't put a Mac in mine though :(

[Wyvernspirit]

I didn't say what I'm saving for--but my REQUIREMENTS are:

Automatic transmission
It runs
I fit it it (I'm over 6'--I don't fit in compact cars :D)

things I'd like are:

DIN slot where I can put an in-dash LCD

Pretty much, I don't care what car I get, as long as it meets my reqirements. I'll take any car, though I am keeping the carputer in mind. Anyone in Michigan have a car they're willing to sell for under $1000?
:D

I'm about 6'4" tall and fit (a little snug maybe) and drive a 96 Toyota Corolla, many would consider that a compact car. You may want to try fitting in any car in your price range berfore ruling it out and see if the design actually fits you.

[Roger1]

I didn't say what I'm saving for--but my REQUIREMENTS are:

Automatic transmission
It runs
I fit it it (I'm over 6'--I don't fit in compact cars :D)

things I'd like are:

DIN slot where I can put an in-dash LCD

Pretty much, I don't care what car I get, as long as it meets my reqirements. I'll take any car, though I am keeping the carputer in mind. Anyone in Michigan have a car they're willing to sell for under $1000?
:D
Hate to tell ya, but I just GAVE AWAY a mini van a couple months ago. All it needed was a water pump. :D Don't worry. There are still good deals out there. Just be patient

edit: My wife drives a '94 Mercury Tracer Trio. When we take it anywhere, I drive, and I fit ok in it. I'm 6'1 and 280 pounds. If I lost a few I would probably fit even better. Don't rule out a car because it looks small. Some of them are quite roomy.

[hotwire132002]

I'm about 6'4" tall and fit (a little snug maybe) and drive a 96 Toyota Corolla, many would consider that a compact car. You may want to try fitting in any car in your price range berfore ruling it out and see if the design actually fits you.

That's what the smiley was for ;)

I'm just used to bigger cars--we have an SUV and a van. I can fit in smaller cars, I'm just not used to it. I'll take what I can get :) !

[Wyvernspirit]

Hate to tell ya, but I just GAVE AWAY a mini van a couple months ago. All it needed was a water pump. :D Don't worry. There are still good deals out there. Just be patient

edit: My wife drives a '94 Mercury Tracer Trio. When we take it anywhere, I drive, and I fit ok in it. I'm 6'1 and 280 pounds. If I lost a few I would probably fit even better. Don't rule out a car because it looks small. Some of them are quite roomy.

Oh, I guess I should mention I am over the 300lb mark (less then 350 however). The 96 Corolla is smaller then the newer ones, but bigger then the ones from the 80s. I don't find my gerth to be an issue with the corolla, just my legs. If it were a little smaller or I a little longer in the leg, it would not be a fit.