OK, this summer I will be adding the AV-Electronics S-Video switcher to my car's NAV screen. In the process of doing so, one of my inputs will be a computer to run the Hymee sCANalyser, the Greddy E-Manage Support Tool, and the Harrison CANScan.

My question is this: If I elect to install the Apple Mac Mini in my car, I will pick up the ability to play DVD's, MP3's with Visualizations, Surf the Internet when at my house due to Airport, and have wireless keyboards and mice with Bluetooth. But the software I mentioned above requires Windows, so I will need to load up Virtual PC WinXP version on the Mac. Does anyone think that I will encounter problems running these programs under Virtual PC? I know that Virtual PC requires memory, and the Mac Mini can only go to 1GB of RAM, will this be enough?

comments

 

sCANalyser gauges are very graphics intensive... you'll probably get less than optimal performance in virtual environment. You'll probably get some latency through the serial interface as well, which won't impact logging significantly (as more than one parameter is captured at the same time).

If you give it a go, let me know - we'll do what we can to support you.

 

You found my little thread! Nice job.

I'm going to give it a try, and if it is not up to my liking, I'll put in an Intel PC and be done with it. My only problem is I have to wait a couple of months. This is July budget money I am already spending....

 

Oh, I forgot... timbo was talking about running sCANalyser on a mac via VirtualPC at one stage... maybe he might comment if he tries it. I've had sCANalyser running more than comfortably in 512MB on my mini-itx car PC just fine, so you'd think 1GB should be heaps.

 

I thought about going your route and buying the mac mini. It is such a simple design with almost everything you need. I didn't do it because you'll have issues with other things as well. For one, every front end app is made to run on windows, so you'd have to make your own. You can't upgrade the mac mini, so your stuck with what you get the firat time around. The hard drive is small in the mac mini and you would not be able to intergrate a start up/shut down controller into it. So if would not come on and off with the cars ignition.

 

Oh yeah, I worked out the price difference and you wouldn't be saving very much either. And at first it my seem easier because everything is all done, but you'd have more problems down the road (once you start intergrating it into the car), it's just not worth the hassle. As for running CANalyser, I don't know for sure, but It would probably work.

 

Thanks guys, that's why I posted this thread. I'm still out to lunch on which way to go.

Timbo huh...

Remember you can add gobs of storage with Firewire or USB is needed. I wanted to use iTunes in the car like this http://www.classicresto.com/macmov.html

There are people looking into docking ports for ease of removal to bring your Mac Mini inside if needed. http://homepage.mac.com/lazzwaldo/PhotoAlbum2.html

I think I will still pursue this idea. I am going to build a custom glove box installation with a spare glove box part. If it works - great! If not, it will go inside my house hooked up to the flat screen TV

 

Here is a cool story http://www.123macmini.com/news/story/19.html

 

Ok....still, how are you going to use a start-up/shut-down controller. And iTunes will run on Windows also.

 

Here is my carputer install if you were interested.
http://rx8.no-ip.org/carputer.htm

 

Yes, I've seen your install - top notch work!

OK, your talking me into a Windows box - errgggg. I was hoping to make the Apple work, but they have not been around long enough for the frontend software, and power hardware to be designed.

I thought being able to connect to my home network through Airport would be awesome when I pull into the garage at night. I have a mixed network in my house of WinXP and Apple, but I set my security so high on the Wireless Airport Network, that I have trouble with WinXP laptops connecting to it. My WinXP box is wired into the hub, so it bypasses the wireless security. I guess I need to read how to get a WinXP portabe to connect to a secured Airport network...

Thanks for the notes and ideas in the meantime

 

What don't you like about using a windows box, most of the people on mp3car.com think that it is a great platforum for carputer. If you use windows embedded you'll really have a rock soild system.

btw- i bought a new domain for my site....

http://trickRX8.com

 

Well, I used to be a system admin for my company - I brought them from Dos/Novell to Windows Networking with Win95/Novell then to Win98/Novell then to a Win2K Server Network. I was alsways fixing something, so I got frustrated with Redmond software. But, I moved on from there and now I am a Regional Sales Engineer. I guess just a bad taste all those years...

Your right about the Win Embedded idea - hhmmmm. OK, I'll start my research again. :o

 

I was looking around and found this:
http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...products_id=94
this would let you power your mac mini in the car and would work as a start up/shut down controller.

 

Interesting...

I hate making decsions -

 

Just give me your money and i'll make them for you...lol:D

 

sco does anyone make car pc in Australia... does a local computer shop knows how to do one? I think I can do the install.

 

I doubt you'll find a computer shop that will make one for you. It is not hard to build at all.

 

For someone who does not know computer hardware very much????

Well. I know we need a DC-DC converter to get stable 12V out of the battery. A screeen. Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

I am actually think there is a car pc in Australia... Maybe sco can help me to build one :D

 

This is definitely a cold footed upgrade

I plan on using the glove box for my install - I'll buy a spare glove box for the mod. I am two months away from starting. I am still up in the air on either MacMini or WinXp Embedded.