I am looking at getting a "cheap" laptop, upgrading it to so decent standards and using it in my truck for a GPS. I can get the antenna for the GPS and I have the software, but I don't have a computer to leave in the truck. What would it take to run an older (Read: 2002-2003) desktop inside the truck? I can mount the tower anywhere (I have an old computer that I don't use for anything anymore) and I would fab a mount for a small flatscreen monitor. What would be the problems with doing this? Why am I having an insane idea? Or is this feasible? I want it to run off 12 volt auto systems, but I don't plan on running it too long without the truck on. Or I would just put it into sleep mode. I would prefer that this be a fairly easily removable system. My main concern right now is; will it work?





I did double post this because I think it belongs in both sections, if you do not agree, mods, please delete one.

 

This will give you some ideas.
Look at the 3rd picture.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...-pictures.html

You could mount a screen up front and do a keyboard like Air2air did.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...gle-earth.html

 

is his a laptop?

 

there are a few threads on here covering this, I searched for "onboard" "laptop" and came up with a few threads.

I thought there was a member on here who had an indepth thread covering this topic but couldn't find it in few moments of searching.

 

I am trying to find out what it would take to hardwire a desktop in and mount the monitor in front of the HVAC controls in a 85 4runner.

 

There are alot of solutions for mounting laptops into cars, I would go this route at it would be pretty simple. Also if you are useing the software and hardware i think you are than you don't need a laptop from 2003, I believe recomended specs were something like 500mhz processor, 256mb ram and 1gig of harddrive space... I picked up a used laptop with much better specs than this for $50 the other day.

If you are looking to get a desktop tower and small flat screen monitor in this is possible to and could be inexpensive as used 14in flat screen monitors are cheep and plentyfull.

The tuff part about the tower is powering it, a laptop can be set so if you cut power to the unit it goes to battery power and auto shuts down. However if you just throw in an old deskop pc remember that you can't turn it on until you have power for it and most rigs shut off all electricity to devices when cranking over your engine so if it is plugged into a power inverter it may stop power every time you turn over the engine causeing a restart.

Go find an old laptop fill it with music, install your GPS onto it, throw some videos on it, and maybe get a webcam to capture your trail runs.
find the laptop first then spend a day with it moveing it around the cab trying to figure you where it may fit best.

Also i wouldn't cut up too much of your dash for this, you may find that in a year you want to replace your bulky laptop with a little GPS unit that can do all the same things with only 1 wire and can fit into your pocket when you leave.

 

I want the computer so I can do more than just the GPS, but that is it's main priority. I want to be able to download pictures from the camera, tie in the stereo, etc, etc. Where did you find this laptop?

 

In portland we have a computer recycling place called free geek that sells all kinds of old computer stuff.

Sometimes you can find soemthing on craigslist but for some reason people seem to think that the laptop they paid $700 for in 2001 is worth $400 today .Best bet is to keep an eye out for friends or family who may be getting new laptops, thickness is a big reason people get rid of laptops for some reason, they see that new laptops are nice and thin and don't want to be seen carring around a big thick laptop... this is where you come in offer 50 for an old laptop running windows 2000 most people have little use for such an old machine and will just let it sit in the closet. If you shoot for a P3 or equivilant. You should be able to run videos and if you are lucky you may find one with a DVD drive (a plus). Then slap in a WIFI card and presto you can get some google maps on the road.

 

I have all the software I need. National Geographic TOPO software and microsofts streets and trips. What I need is the computer to run it from.