What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Uses for a laptop in a vehicle

Once I get rich I am going to look into an Android tablet & mounting solution. I have an Android phone and if it were a lot larger it would be perfect. The Samsung Galaxy Tab looks perfect. Mount that up on top of the dash and you have GPS, music, gas buddy, navigation, Pandora (streaming music) and whatever else you want.

The smart thing to do would be to buy one and not activate it, but then stream data via bluetooth from your cell phone (with an unlimited data plan) so you don't have a monthly bill.
 
cybrfire said:
Touch screen would be really sweet. I have used a laptop in the truck and it is pretty much impossible to do anything while you're driving. I've always had a passenger along to struggle with the laptop while bobbling down the interstate.

So, with a touch screen...

Could you eliminate the need for a car stereo?

What about voice control?

I'll tell ya where I'm really going with this. At some point in the future i'll be building a dash for the crew cab. I'll also be building the console and possibly an overhead console.

I was considering the value of pulling the components from a computer(or buying specific pieces) and building them into the console or dash or both and having a built in on board computer.

I just don't know if its worth the hassle. Maybe someday the crew cab would be fuel injected and could take more advantage of it. At the same time, maybe it'll be a CTD rather than a gasser.
Click to expand...


i'm not gonna run a head unit.. all my tunes will be mp3 thru the pc and touchscreen...
 
cybrfire said:
Touch screen would be really sweet. I have used a laptop in the truck and it is pretty much impossible to do anything while you're driving. I've always had a passenger along to struggle with the laptop while bobbling down the interstate.

So, with a touch screen...

Could you eliminate the need for a car stereo?
Click to expand...

I haven't head a head unit in the truck for years now. The key to using a PC in the car is a large touchscreen with a user interface intended for this. Trying to use a mouse or keyboard is downright dangerous. Using a laptop going down the road is only FOR THE PASSENGER. For example, you can't use Windows Explorer to browse for files and stuff while driving - that's ludicrous. I use Roadrunner (Riderunner) on a 12.1" transflective rugged tablet. Even with my old system on a 10" screen it was useable because the buttons are really big and let you control everything with a finger. This handles all of the music, videos for the kids and GPS. I also use TunerStudio for the Megasquirt interface, which I may integrate into the RoadRunner front end someday.

Here are your big issues:
  • Where do you mount the screen? The stock head unit location is crap for this purpose in our trucks
  • How does power moding work? What makes it turn on and turn off?
  • Amplifier(s) - with no head unit you must have amps. And you need a way to mute them while your PC is booting/shutting down etc.
  • Where do you mount everything and what is the screen attached to?
 
Blue85 said:
I haven't head a head unit in the truck for years now. The key to using a PC in the car is a large touchscreen with a user interface intended for this. Trying to use a mouse or keyboard is downright dangerous. Using a laptop going down the road is only FOR THE PASSENGER. For example, you can't use Windows Explorer to browse for files and stuff while driving - that's ludicrous. I use Roadrunner (Riderunner) on a 12.1" transflective rugged tablet. Even with my old system on a 10" screen it was useable because the buttons are really big and let you control everything with a finger. This handles all of the music, videos for the kids and GPS. I also use TunerStudio for the Megasquirt interface, which I may integrate into the RoadRunner front end someday.

Here are your big issues:
  • Where do you mount the screen? The stock head unit location is crap for this purpose in our trucks
  • How does power moding work? What makes it turn on and turn off?
  • Amplifier(s) - with no head unit you must have amps. And you need a way to mute them while your PC is booting/shutting down etc.
  • Where do you mount everything and what is the screen attached to?
Click to expand...

Exactly. Even using a touch interface over regular windows just doesnt work. Stuff is too damn small.
 
Well you can adjust the size of everything in Windows. I upsize the text, buttons and scrollbar sizes so I can work it with a finger, but I try not to do much in regular Windows if I'm on the road. With the "standard" 7" screen, you're going to need a mouse or stylus in the car for backup to adjust stuff outside of the UI. (then again, it's nice to have a backup for any touchscreen)
 
cybrfire said:
Touch screen would be really sweet. I have used a laptop in the truck and it is pretty much impossible to do anything while you're driving. I've always had a passenger along to struggle with the laptop while bobbling down the interstate.

So, with a touch screen...

Could you eliminate the need for a car stereo?
http://www.mo-co-so.com/Centrafuse-Auto-Complete-Carputer-Atom-330-CPU-p/mcs-cbs-tk1.htm
The Fourth Generation Centrafuse™ Complete Car PC from Mobile Computing Solutions is your new co-pilot. As a media control center it supports AM/FM, HD and satellite radio as well as DVD, CD, TV and iPod. Also, it keeps you in touch while you are on the go with GPS navigation, internet and hands-free phone support. Centrafuse™ Front End has customizable voice commands and factory integrated GPS navigation that automatically adjusts the volume of your media to help you more easily hear navigation commands.

the computer outputs RCA to send to a amplifier.
The included USB DVD drive can be mounted remotely for easy access.

Internal AM/FM Radio Tuner (HQCTi)

What about voice control?
Centrafuse™ Front End has customizable voice commands and factory integrated GPS navigation that automatically adjusts the volume of your media to help you more easily hear navigation commands.




I'll tell ya where I'm really going with this. At some point in the future i'll be building a dash for the crew cab. I'll also be building the console and possibly an overhead console.

I was considering the value of pulling the components from a computer(or buying specific pieces) and building them into the console or dash or both and having a built in on board computer.

I just don't know if its worth the hassle. Maybe someday the crew cab would be fuel injected and could take more advantage of it. At the same time, maybe it'll be a CTD rather than a gasser.
Click to expand...


then as for power integration :
Regulated 12v output for LCD monitor power
Smart 160W automotive grade DC to DC power supply features automatic start up and shutdown with adjustable timing settings, and more

Any nav system or computer in the car or entertainment system (dvd) etc , are not mean to be used during operation of the vehicle by the driver. Brother and I rented a Lincoln Navagator from hertz , and at every start up it flashed this message to remind us.lol

this site even has steering wheel control interface if you wanted to mod the steering wheel , or put in a newer vehicle.
 
you could also add a large drop down monitor in the roof console for the rear passengers and play dvd movies for the kids.
someone mentioned POS software for events and shows.

you could make one of the rear seats into a mobile office with a flip downdesk keyboard or something orjust use a roll up soft wireless keyboard, use the 15 in overhead monitor for the computer functions:
http://www.qualitymobilevideo.com/13-24-flipdown-monitor.aspx

there are lots of possibilities.


Sounds like i am promoting them , im not , but think its a really cool idea.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom