$400 Mini Touchscreen PC - Runs Windows XP

[nurban512]

I’m still looking at a Pyle PLTSD62 for a touch-screen but was thinking of installing a Mini-PC instead of XBMC. I was just wondering if you could glace at it and see if you think it could work. I want to Hook up the Intel BOXD201GLY2A motherboard I a slim case and getting a VGA to RCA converter to hook up the computer to the touch-screen like a monitor. What the stretch is going to be is I want to hook the USB port on the Pyle unit to a USB port on the Computer to use as a mouse. I am going to list all the parts out below. Tell me what you think.

Touch-screen: Pyle PLTSD62

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11730_Pyle+PLTSD62.html

Mini-PC: Intel BOXD201GLY2A

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121333&Tpk=Intel%2bD201GLY2

This already has an onboard graphics card and audio card. The audio doesn’t look to good but it will be the same quality as my iPod which is what I would do anyway. I wireless card would be dope to transfer music from out network to the car wirelessly.

Mini-PC Case: IN WIN IW-BT611T.300SL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108060

This case is even a little big but It’s going in the trunk anyway. The only problem is going to be having the computer turn on when the car starts.

Article on Mini-PC:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/Celeron-Mini-PC,review-31154.html

VGA/RCA Converter Cable:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040113&p_id=2509&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

Wireless Internet Keyboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823110016

This would be nice. I would temporarily hook up a CD drive to install XP. Then I could install the latest iTunes and hook my iPod up I the car to put new music on it.

Click to read more...

 

[Ridley 10+ year member]

Why not get a regular pc and do the same thing? Does it have to be a super small computer build? If it is going to the trunk then run longer wires to the front.

 

[dumple 5,000+ posts]

http://www.mp3car.com/

most info you could want about carputering

 

[SilverSquared 10+ year member]

get a monitor with VGA input. It will look like ROYAL crap otherwise.

 

[nurban512]

The small comp is really cheap and will work good. Might fit under the pasanger seat too. Getting a screen with a VGA input is nearly impossible. If i adjust the resolution it should be fine i think. It shouldt look to bad. It wont be High-def, but im just using it for music.

 

[teedot231999 10+ year member]

The small comp is really cheap and will work good. Might fit under the pasanger seat too. Getting a screen with a VGA input is nearly impossible. If i adjust the resolution it should be fine i think. It shouldt look to bad. It wont be High-def, but im just using it for music.

I'm doing the exact same thing but I am Planing on doing hi def. I mean check out carputer 101. There are a lot of good Q&A in that thread. I mean I think a carputer in this day and age is practical. I am using a Hitachi desktar 1TB hard drive. Most will aurge "you don't need all that space". I don't need pus E either but I sure like having it though. all I need is my carputer NO extra stuff like Ps2 or xbox 360. Will have every game I want on my hard drive no extra system I have to wire up. I will have all my music games and movies in one spot also gps navi and i 'm in a hot spot I can check and send my email blue tooh capabilites an all. The average Top of the line HU with Navi like alpine or pioneer is about $1500 or more. I personally rather spend that on a carputer custom to my liking and I get more for my money. I'm not finished with mine yet but I'm putting together a sweet I.C.E system. I'm shooting for High def All my monitors are 1245x1080 resolution. I have a 15" megavision touch screen so far and I'm impressed. My project is on hold right now but To all who are going the carputer route if done right it will be a wise investment but if not done right will have wasted your money.

 

[Fiercetimbo17 10+ year member]

High def on a 7" screen is simply retarded and a waste of money you will notice almost no difference if any at all, you do know why high def was invented correct?

If not ill explain its jsut too much to type this late at night

The dude above, i see your using a 15" but thats still overkill

 

[CJ8501 10+ year member]

Ok, let me try helping you out a bit...

First of all. go to Mp3car.com and read everything.... Read all the FAQs, read the newbie guides, read everything..

Second, search like crazy!

As for the components you listed, where to start?

The screen is no good. You need a VGA touchscreen. The resolution on that screen is complete and utter crap since it has no vga in, and you cant interface the touchscreen by just plugging it into a computer :/

7" VGA Touchscreen is usually the norm. They make 8.4" and other sizes also.

As for the computer part, check out mini itx boards. You also need to power this thing while its in the car, so look at DC-DC PSU with startup and shut down controls built in.

Add in a hard drive and case.

But seriously, go to mp3car and read the hell out of the forum posts. And good luck. I ran a carputer about 4 years back and it was ok. Much easier for me to just put songs on my ipod and connect it to my HU or get a nice Double din system like an AVIC-D3 or W205/W505