Ultimate vanagon mobile PC ?? minipc.aopen

[tclark]

I was commenting on the lcd/screen on this thread
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2921370
Then linked to minipc.aopen.com
Then thought this should be its own thread

Is this ultimate mini-pc for yah van price pt370
about the same as a good am/fm/mp3 unit
-music
-movies
-gps
-pc
-802.1 & its own wriess less remote control
all in a form factor 7x7x2 that would fit where your current radio is with a minor mod
and add a lcd/panel & usb/blue tooth kbd
see
http://minipc.aopen.com/Global/
7"x7"x2" 350 on fleabay and it full 2.3 core 2 dual 1.5-2.2mhz
-wifii ??
90W (19V, 4.74A) not much more than a laptop
5amp draw a bit hight but you get a few hrs at night to watch a movie, driveing would be no issue the MP965-DR includes a remote control for the sound & movies ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160220839275


only question how do i get it an am/fm tuner ?

[Dogpilot]

Not to sound as a shill for Apple, but the Mac Mini works very well for the carputer application, used on Ebay they go for about the same. The big advantage is the FrontRow system that lets you control music and video from one interface using the remote. Intel Macs let you use three operating systems, MacOs, that Winindoze stuff, and Linux.

As for power management, you can use the Carnetix P2140 or P1900 intelligent power management units. They start up and shut down, or sleep the computer by either switch, ignition or clicker entry system. It also powers the USB hub and screen with its triple output . Very well thought out piece of kit.

http://www.carnetix.com/P2140/CNXP2140.htm

There is a whole bunch of folks doing all kinds of things with installed computers, form entertainment, navigation to engine management. You can use USB devices to monitor all the engine functions real time, you can get wireless from extreme ranges with advanced antennas, do backup cams and a whole lot more. You can literally add dozens of functions to distract you from actually driving. Actually, legally you can only do music control and navigation while operating the vehicle (your state may differ).

Check out this site for a nauseating amount of information:


http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/
_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[keithwwalker]

I have an HTC Advantage X7501.

It is a 'laptop' replacement as the factory calls it. I prefer to call a supercharged smartphone/pda/wireless device.

It runs Windows Mobile 6.0, not Vista or XP

Some of the features:
5" VGA screen
8Gb mini drive - new version will have 16
Built in GPS antenna, software and maps not included - will fit on your dash like a dedicated gps
Phone (GPRS - works with AT&T/Cingular and TMobile)
Video out - so you can take the signal to a larger screen.
WiFi, HSDPA and bluetooth
USB for a keyboard and mouse
There is a vehicle mount out there, just not a RAM mount:
http://www.x7501.com/forum/Advantage-mount-1185580236.html

Plenty of info at the above site and at http://forum.xda-developers.com/

[tclark]

[RCWesty]

dogpilot,
what about cold weather? Do you remove it?

at least with laptops, you don't want them out in your car in winter conditions.

[Dogpilot]

I did leave it in the Van or part of the winter, the LCD for most of it. The LCD, a Lilliput, was unaffected, but we only got down to -7° f this year. The Mini came in to do duty as a download server, so it was only outside until New Year. The mount, which is an H-Squared, allows it to pop out quickly. You just unhook the power, USB and video. I went to a USB based sound output to the stereo. The USB does not pick up the power supply noise and the unit I got, by Creative, really enhances the sound output from the computer.

After using it on a few trips I decided it needs a swivel base on the monitor. Extensive combing of Marine and electronics outlets turned up nothing useful. So I guess I have to make one from scratch. I will shoot some pics later this week. I have been somewhat restricted in my movements as of late.
_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[RCWesty]

soon as I figure out my new wiring problem, I intend to remove my cd player for a new one with a USB input on the face of the player. I have a couple extra 4GB thumbdrives that I would prefer to store music on when traveling. CD's are slowly become unnecessary. Funny I would say this because I still bring along my casio for campfire entertainment. Some newer receivers are now going cd free.. for ipods, mp3, 8-tracks, etc..

I can dig one of carputers but only for navigation and wi-fi access for weather reports and locating spots to fill up or eat. Got to get smart about traveling following this weekend 5.00/ gal last minute refueling.

There have been some posts on vanputers and from what i'm seeing, they are very impressive. Seem like a natural progression for westies to remain attractive and function beasts. I am really impressed by your upgrades; which for most folks, are on the upper percentage of cool and to strive for.

[Dogpilot]

Thank-you for the compliment. Yes CD's are becoming little more than coasters for most of us. I did see an artist that used various free CD's mailed to him to create an entire fish out of them. He used the CD's as scales and blended the colors to achieve the effect, very clever.

One person asked and I failed to answer, radio. There is a device called a 'Radio Shark,' it is also a USB device with a radio tuner in it. As just a radio, it is very overpriced, but apparently you can use it as a radio Tivo like device. Then you can time shift your favorite programs. I think to use while driving would be a life threatening challenge. However, to use it to capture programs to play back later on iTunes works fine.

There is a widget available for Macs that searches your zip code for the cheapest fuel prices. It is a free download off the Apple web site.
_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[tclark]

[Dogpilot]

No it is not really bad for the FM unit, it is that most of the stuff, especially from NPR, is available as a podcast. I had to get out a bit today, so I shuffled down to the hanger (where the Westy is at the moment) and took some pics. First is how I mounted the mini in the glovebox, a spare I picked up for about $10 or so. The other pic is of the two approaches to long range Wireless G. THe first is a modified MIMO USB based wireless unit. It works very well with the higher gain antennas to the transmit and receive port. It has the advantage that it can be placed on the focus of a parabolic dish, like a satellite TV dish and aimed at an area of wireless units. Very high gain. The other is a plain high gain antenna on an SMA connector which I can hook up to the wireless N card's second antenna port on the mini. This also give excellent range, but not nearly as good as the dish method. (the HD dishes work the best, look in the trash at the end of the month at large apartment complexes, FREE).

_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[keithwwalker]

Yeah, I know its not for everyone but one of the reasons for the high cost is because it is NOT a locked phone.

Actually with a contract, these are quite a deal in Europe. No carriers will have this in USA though.

[82WestyMan]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread because it's a mod I've been thinking about (dedicated 'in-vehicle' computer) but the hardware never seemed to have hit that sweet spot between size, price and features
Don't know if anyone else has started to notice this new form-factor of computers starting to become available but they look pretty interesting.
A few manufactures are putting out the same idea with slight variations on chips, RAM, video, outputs, etc but they look pretty interesting.
Makes me wonder what the output DC voltage of the A/C adapter is... and how hard it would be to change my Vanagon's 12v to what one of these need...
(it would be a sweet addition to my 19" LCD TV...)
e-Machine
http://e.newegg.com/servlet/cc6?gLmkQWSSQUVIuOiHmtSxnuHptQJhuVaVTR
... some other options
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Sub...rchInDesc=

I'd like some thoughts if anyone else has been thinking about this too
_________________
"The floggings will continue until morale improves"
"I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell" - Harry S. Truman
82 Westfalia - w/ a Raby 'Camper Special' engine

[Inlet]

standard hard drive life will be cut down by a lot if you have them running while driving. I believe there is something like 7 g's of force if you just set a spinning hard drive down on a table.

Solid state is the way to go for mobile computing.

[mightyart]

Here's what I have:

It's a Samsung Q1 ultra moble PC
It's a couple years old, They are called origami PCs they never really caught on so most people don't know about them.
Here is the latest version I think, mine is older, it's a full PC running Vista.
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/office/mobile-c...prd_detail
I also have an asus R2h, it's slower, runs XP but it does have built in GPS.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220083
here's one of the ways to mount the Q1
http://cgi.ebay.com/CAR-MOUNT-DECK-HOLDER-STAND-SA...ltDomain_0

[82WestyMan]

[240Gordy]

I would still get a used intel Mac mini and swap the hard drive for a solid state unit. use Front Row and an Apple Remote.
_________________
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