The ultimate CarPC?
 

Seems folks around here are starting to do more permanent in-dash setups. Ran across an interesting back-end machine this morning that might be of use:

Coming Soon to a theater near you: The fitPC Slim, bitches:
http://www.fit-pc.com/new/images/sto...m/500_keys.jpg

$245 sans HD, $335 w/ Windows XP Home, $295 w/ Ubuntu & Gentoo. It runs natively off 12VDC, and it even includes an RS232 port. Hmm, I wonder who their target audience was with this one?

Linky: http://www.fit-pc.com/new/whats-new.html

That looks pretty bad-ass. I'm assuming there's an easy monitor solution for guys intent on putting this in their dash?

Joe, can you envision a "setup" which includes that PC, a monitor, GPS unit, amp, Car ECU interface, etc??? How about a very brief "dummies guide".

I'd like to turn up the volume on my tunes and add fuel to my VE table without too much hassle? Howzit most easily accomplished?

can someone briefly explain, or provide a link that explains, this whole CarPC thing. From my understanding it is not a brand name, but used to refer to a kind of device, much like "xerox" is used to refer to photocopiers?

CarPC.. a general term for any PC that is in your car. Basically a media PC, that has MP3, GPS, etc. Has any number of options you can go with..

Heres the wiki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpc


The only think I do not like about this particular model is the lack of intelligent power supply.

With this would you have to turn it off before you shut off your engine? Is the RS-232 what you guys use with MS?

I'm not sure if this has been discussed but here goes. Has anyone used MS software on Linux? I ask because I'm a pretty big Linux fan, and my other laptop (which i plan to use for tuning) currently has Ubuntu on it. If i need to Xp is going back on for tuning though.

It has a vga output.

That computer and something like this http://www.onvon.com/tm0702-inch-tou...l?currency=USD

Would prolly be perfect!!!

I just re-read the specs... that's perfect.

But... I just had a very serious internal argument with myself and lost. The part of me that says "WOW, that's awesome" could not come up with any reason other than "awesome" to justify having a laptop embedded in my center console. I haven't changed a tune parameter in 4 months, and I ceratinly wouldn't be interested in doing it every day just because it was easier.

I'll never need GPS because I have a dick and not a vagina.
No need for onboard music library... that's what XM and iPod are for.
Watch movies... AYFKM?

So, somebody straighten me out. I know there's something I'm missing that will put me back on the bandwagon... what is it?

It's like the body kit, underglow, and carbon wing fad of the mid 90's. I don't really understand it but it's the cool new thing to have, but what do I know, hell I don't even have a radio or speakers in my car.

And you're building a super fast miata cuz..... it's what??

A practical family vehicle.

seen that before. there is also a pc based on new nano-atx boards. super small too.

Touche.

I guess with the wifi I could start using the Starbucks drivethrough and then sit in the parking lot and surf the web rather than going inside and hitting on the dirty goth chick behind the counter.

pics! dirty goth chicks are the best.

I saw this on engadget a week ago.

I am picking one up to use as a torrent box, 6W of power usage!

hope you can hack it to run SATA somehow.

Your IPOD probably cost as much as some carPC setups do, if that helps the argument. To be honest, there's really no justification for it Sam. I like being able to have my MP3s playing while being able to see my gauges. Yes, I can see my AFRs and boost on the actual gauges, but I like being able to see my coolant temps, etc. Still, all that being said, its a "neato" factor rather then a "must have".

nah... unless you have some seriously bad ass internet a usb external drive will be fine for bulk storage as a torrent box.