Put a (newly announced, $499) Mac mini in your XD

[Leviathant]

Apparently, the new Mac mini (http://www.apple.com/macmini/) that Apple came out with is, intentionally or not, just about DIN size (http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=311). That linked page there suggests you can use voice recognition software to boot, with cheeky references to Knight Rider.

What do you think? Would you put a Mac G4 in your car for $499? 40gb of hard drive space holds a fair amount of MP3s, and if you've got displays, the MacMini has a front loading DVD player.

[Roydjt]

The first thing I thought when I saw the Mini was "that looks just about DIN size!" Sure enough, it's 6.5"x6.5"x2", and a DIN bay is 7"x2" so it should fairly easily. A power converter, an LCD touch screen, and a wireless keyboard and mouse and you are set. It even has wireless internet capabilities.

Imagine the possibilities!
Someone digs your tunes, you burn em a CD while you drive them home.
On the road? That's okay, you can check your email if you park near enough to your hotel room to connect to the internet.
Install console-game emulators and play Xbox, PS2, or PC games. Wireless gamepads? Even play online!
There's even a Bluetooth module available - would you be able to use your cell phone service to connect to the internet?

These are gonna be everywhere on the car audio scene in no time. Oh, if I only had money!

-Roy

[joeypasta]

If you check out www.mini-itx.com, then you will see a whole lot more options
for a lot less money.

[cclngthr]

Cops already have laptop computers in their cars. My uncle was a supervisor for the WSP (WA State Patrol) automotive electronics division and began installing data terminals about 10-15 years ago into the cars.

With a DVD player/screen with a aux video/audio input, you can hook the computers video to the cars sound system.

[southpawboston]

i doubt you even need a power converter... chances are it runs on 12V and the A/C power brick that comes with it just converts down to 12V... apple's laptops run on 12V and so does the ipod, so it would make sense that the mac mini is based on apple's laptop architecture.

[cclngthr]

That A/C brick probably has a regulated 12 volt output. You would not want to connect it directly to the cars 12 volt system. A regulated power supply might be available.

[MrGisriel]

That Is so COOL.... Where could I find a touch screen moniter? and where do you think it would look the best @ (screen)? Maybe built in? or on a mount?


Thanks...

MrGisriel

http://www.carlcd.net/.sc/ms/cat/1032987946/9/nc/VGA%20TV%5E2FMonitor--619GL-70NP VERY COOL!!! I can get a mini mac for $475 (b/c im a student) and this monitor for $275= $750 Installed.

-MrGisriel

[yevRPS]

That Is so COOL.... Where could I find a touch screen moniter? and where do you think it would look the best @ (screen)? Maybe built in? or on a mount?


Thanks...

MrGisriel

http://www.carlcd.net/.sc/ms/cat/1032987946/9/nc/VGA%20TV%5E2FMonitor--619GL-70NP VERY COOL!!! I can get a mini mac for $475 (b/c im a student) and this monitor for $275= $750 Installed.

-MrGisriel

here're some ideas i've seen for monitor placemet. both are by far the best IMO. the first one is APC elantra, the second one is sed's ride. sed's way would require HVAC unit relocation. i believe there was a DIY for that.
http://www.performancestyleattitude.com/vehicles/2004elantra/elantra2004_09_l.jpg
http://www.nitrousworld.com/pictures/shawn3.jpg

[slow 2K2GT]

***OFFTOPIC***

speaking of 12V sources, laptops also run off the 12V source, my buddy took a gutted laptop and used the 15" display from it as his drop down screen in his car. Screw this 5-7" crap!

***OK SORRY ON TOPIC AGAIN***

[MrGisriel]

5-7" would look the best in a car....I can get and afford a 20" screen but why? I have that at home...


Goodday

-MrGisriel

PS -------> the mini mac would need to be mounted in the glove box or some where accsseable b/c of the power, usb ect. it in the back.

[sed]

hmm methinks i have a new project at hand

oh, and p.s. my cupholders in the back are soon to be replaced with an xbox loading tray ;)

shawn :)

[mrhoaf]

oh, and p.s. my cupholders in the back are soon to be replaced with an xbox loading tray ;)


(said in my best imitation of the guys from the dodge ram commercial who are alwas drooling over the other guy's hemi-powered ram)

SWEEET!!!

[MrGisriel]

cool...............

Get a free mini mac:

http://www.FreeMiniMacs.com/?r=14411011

[04Elantra]

Gisriel...you don't actually believe that, do you?

[mrhoaf]

It looks just like the free iPod deals....

Yes they do work if you get the required signups under you.... sometimes it just takes a long time to get the freebie...

But even if you do get the signups, I wouldn't expect to get the mini anytime soon....

[sed]

just wanted to let you know about those "free" things. YES they do work, but usually you have to get a Credit card, or something like that, make a purchase and pay the first bill... Then they send you a Mini Mac and charge you 100 bucks S&H. My buddy got ripped off and wound up paying 400 for a 10g ipod from all the stupid **** he had to do to get it "free"

just my .02

shawn :)

[SuperGLS]

Since I rarely check this section, I missed this post, but, my brother was talking about doing this in his Ford Escape. He just recently (a little before x-mas) bought himself a new iMac with 20" flatscreen and DVD burner among other things, and he also got an iPod from his work for x-mas (lucky ***). So, he has Apple fever right now, but I'm not sure he'd do it because he doesn't really need too.

He also had some website for some shop in California that already had some orders to get this done. I love and hate rich people at the same time.

[Roydjt]

Here's what I would like to see - if someone could integrate a iMac Mini or a micro-ATX based computer like this http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=MEGA_865&class=mega to make a total multimedia unit. The computer I linked has "Instant-ON CD/MP3 and Radio Features" so you don't have to wait for the computer's OS to boot up - you have instant sound upon powerup. The connections on the front (USB, headphone/mic, SPDIF, media card reader) would give all kinds of abilities to transfer data in many ways - including an iPod or flash-based personal audio device. The digital audio out could hook up with a 5.1 amplifier to drive the speakers and give true surround sound for movie viewing on trips (for the passengers of course). Navigation software can be adapted with a GPS. Satellite radio along with perhaps some type of satellite/cellular broadband connection service would be an option as well.

I think systems like this are the next step in car audio. I would bet that five years from now this will be commonplace.

-Roy

[MrGisriel]

Is this ATX a computer? Or do you have to hook a computer up to it? Looks cool,,,,, But BIG compared to the mini mac. Instead of celular GPS hooked up to it (which costs alot of $$$ and is not accurate, b/c u need 3 satilites to pinpoint your location instead of cell towers) they have gps satilites (about as small as a satillite radio antenna) that hooks up w/ usb and uses software. Check your local Staples =)

-MrGisriel

[JuMpMaN6235]

hmm instead of getting this mini mac save yourself some $$ make a cheap Microatx comp in ur glove box and a dvd-rom in ur din, w/ a lcd monitor under it :)..... but then ull need a mouse to play your cd's which would be annoying

[Roydjt]

I misspoke when I said "micro-ATX". I meant to say "Mini-ITX". Mini-ITX is a very small form factor size of computer motherboard. The board in your computer right now is probably ATX size, and a Mini-ITX is less than half that size, with most of the same capabilities of a full-size ATX motherboard. Check out this website (http://www.mini-itx.com/) to see some of the crazy things people have done with these. In fact, here is a case that is just about exactly standard DIN size, just what I have in mind. (http://www.cappuccinopc.com/miniitx-case-c134.asp)

Now, if I had a spare grand to spend, I'd be all over this - but I'm too practical and too poor. I am positive that this will be the next step in car audio/video.

-Roy

[Elantro]

Ill wait to see if somebody pulls it off before I try it

[Leviathant]

Wow Spike you're the man. Get down with your bad self. **** THE WORLD, YEAH!

[JuMpMaN6235]

here're some ideas i've seen for monitor placemet. both are by far the best IMO. the first one is APC elantra, the second one is sed's ride. sed's way would require HVAC unit relocation. i believe there was a DIY for that.
http://www.performancestyleattitude.com/vehicles/2004elantra/elantra2004_09_l.jpg

Where can i contact APC elantra, hes not a member here

BTW spike, this is from the your link:
Long story (very) short - I'm going to abandon this project. If anyone herewants them - I'm selling the in dash Xenarc VGA touchscreen on eBay along with the PC tonight (or whenever I find my camera).

looks like he had some problems

[Leviathant]

Sarcasm? That pissweak excuse has been around longer than the internet. Show me the sarcasm in these remarks. Let's go in reverse order:
MAC's are paperweights to me and the worst computer I have seen, I am a computer tech and have seen a lot
I'm a PC guy myself, but above that, I'm a computer guy, so I can understand you being sarcastic here. Anyone who seriously thinks a G4 or a G5 is a paperweight is just a ****ing retard, right?

and its not a POS MAC
Har har, that's right, sarcasm.

hmm read the links above this is old news...
Just ribbin' ya mate! I was being sarcastic. I'm not really a know-it-all, this is just a facade to make you smile :)

This has been done a lot nothing new I have a wireless wifi in the IS300 that I need to install
Totally sarcastic response, dude, that was sweet. I mean what dimwit says wireless wifi? That's like saying Wireless Wireless Fidelity. What a dope. And of course you're being sarcastic about the IS300, this is an Elantra board, who gives two ****s about a Lexus. What a clever ironic thing to do, talk about the Lexus IS300 on a Hyundai Elantra board, amongst all of us cheapskates! You're the man now, dog!

I totally understand your sense of humor now. This whole belligerent, holier-than-thou, Im-already-on-it personality is just a clever ruse. You devil you! Sarcasm, the whole time!

[mrhoaf]

Where can i contact APC elantra, hes not a member here

I beleive that is an Elantra done by the company APC... not a person...

[SuperGLS]

Correct mrhoaf, you can try to contact APC, but good luck. I bet they don't even have the car anymore.

Oh, and everyone please stay on topic.

[rckozma]

And I guess we are done here. Some people just can't read.