Mac Mini computer + LCD in the car!?

[jrdbrn 10+ year member]

I am very interested in spicing up my '06 Mazda 3. Not engine wise because I dont give a crap about that, but would be cool to have a LCD in my car for trips. I came across this cool *** LCD flip up screen made specifically for my car.

It is $700 for the regular 7" LCD and $800 for the 7" LCD Touch screen. I am not how good of a price is this but it is motorized if it makes any difference.

If I do infact decide to get this, I am also considering getting an older (cheaper) Mac Mini to host my music and having the ability to play DVDs. I am wondering for those with computers in their car, how do they widthstand the traveling? Of course a SSD would be optimal but I am not spending the money for those at the moment //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Do computers often get damaged while in cars?

I think it would be sweet to put the Mac in the glovebox and have the LCD there as it works with the stock radio.

Click to read more...

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

mp3car.com i think is a good place to start

 

[lostsuspect21 10+ year member]

sounds like a sick idea keep us posted

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

I am very interested in spicing up my '06 Mazda 3. Not engine wise because I dont give a crap about that, but would be cool to have a LCD in my car for trips. I came across this cool *** LCD flip up screen made specifically for my car.

It is $700 for the regular 7" LCD and $800 for the 7" LCD Touch screen. I am not how good of a price is this but it is motorized if it makes any difference.

If I do infact decide to get this, I am also considering getting an older (cheaper) Mac Mini to host my music and having the ability to play DVDs. I am wondering for those with computers in their car, how do they widthstand the traveling? Of course a SSD would be optimal but I am not spending the money for those at the moment //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Do computers often get damaged while in cars?

I think it would be sweet to put the Mac in the glovebox and have the LCD there as it works with the stock radio.

They work great, did an install with a Mac Mini and a Lilliput touch screen flushed into a Nissan 350Z. Even did GPS and a lot more.

Mac Mini is a pretty good choice. Make sure to get the correct mobile PSU.

nG

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

I had wanted to try this when they first came out, but just don't have the cash to do it.

 

[jrdbrn 10+ year member]

My fiance is trying to talk me out of it, but I am getting a $2300 tax return this year, and I want to do something with it. I don't have a job at the moment but I have 2 interviews next week. So everything depends on how well those interviews go. I am unable to find a Mac Mini that would fit my budget though :\ Everything is $400 and up it seems which is still cheap, but I dont want something that high. I am also trying to get a better deal on the LCD. I know they are slightly cheaper than $700 - I am going for at least $450-500. I want to offer $550, but I know they won't take it //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Oh and sorry for not posting in the carputer thread. I didn't realize there was one till a few days ago.

 

[SilverSquared 10+ year member]

I did the PC thing 2 years ago. Its good and all. I wouldnt pay that much for a screen tho. I went thru 3 screens in a year...

 

[jrdbrn 10+ year member]

What did you use for power on the Mac?

I seen theres an adapter you can buy but its $100

I found the DVI to S-Video for $18

So that would be roughly a $1000 project. I would like to keep it at $800 but it won't happen :\

 

[SilverSquared 10+ year member]

its not the power that was the problem, it was the motorization. The gears kept cracking.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

Good luck.

I was helping a friend do a good mac mini carputer setup. He bought everything except for the screen, which he kept holding out for in hopes of a better deal.

Then he got robbed at gunpoint outside of his apartment while taking a cigarette break. One of the thieves went inside his apt and stole his macbook (among other things), so he had to use the mini for his main computer and the Car PC dream went out the window. How shitty is that...

 

[jrdbrn 10+ year member]

its not the power that was the problem, it was the motorization. The gears kept cracking.

I see, but how did you power the Mac?

I am trying to do some sidework for a friend for this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883104030

He's given me other great things before, but this might be a little too expensive //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

I wish I could find a cheap 1.2ghz, 256mb ram, etc Mini for about $200-250 but they are all expensive.

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

I almost bought one for my sister's new computer, but I got a mid-tower HP with a 2.6 ghz dual-core, 2gb ram, 400gb hdd, 15-1 card reader, lightscribe dvd burner, vista premium, and 21" widescreen HD lcd monitor for $870 with 3-year replacement plan. Mac minis start out at $570 with 1.83 ghz dual-core, 1gb ram, I think 80gb hdd, and a cd burner. Add on the extra few hundred for the protection plan and a crap-ton for a nice cinema display, and it's just not worth it.

Would still be very nice for a carputer though. bit pricey, but I'd think it would be fairly simple to do.

 

[jrdbrn 10+ year member]

Apple DVI to S-Video - $19

Mac Mini - $594 (Possibly free )

Carnetix CNXP-1900 Power - $99

Carnetix "MacPack" Cable - $24

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

http://www.woot.com

Only on sale today.

nG

 

[jrdbrn 10+ year member]

Not bad Sold out like usual ehe