My CarPuter installation
 

I meant to put these up a while ago, I just forgot.

I installed the guts of a Dell laptop under the center console and connected it to a display installed in the J-Spec dash mount.

The parts are shown here:

http://www.mazdamaniac.com/images/rx...nics/parts.jpg

The way it fits in the console are here:

http://www.mazdamaniac.com/images/rx.../install_1.jpg

The J-Spec mounting piece gets cut in here (the yellow indicates where the cut line is pre-stamped on the OEM panel):

http://www.mazdamaniac.com/images/rx...s/dash_cut.jpg

And the final product is here:

http://www.mazdamaniac.com/images/rx...s/displays.jpg

sweet!

All guts :) and glory! Nice install

i wonder if you could modify the tray to let the screen fold down and fabricate a lid for the tray with the piece of dash you had to cut out... hmmm

Thought about it. Decided I actually like the way it is.

If I want a fold-down, I'll pick up a used HUD from a wreck.

wow that is sweet...what was teh final cost of all this if you don't mind me asking...also what kinda features does that bad boy (or girl) have? i see teh gps reciever ... so what else you got... dang turbo adn a kick a$$ carputer..hehe some one has deep pokets:p

VERY nice install. I know my center console can get hot enough to cook on..., are you concerned about heat issues? How are you cooling the 'puter? Do you have any fans in there.

I might be trying something like this soon. Turns out I now have a spare laptop thanks to the case and screen being crushed. Love my insurance company, they're giving me a new one. :D

^wow good deal..hah awish i had some crazy good luck liek that once in a blue moon...well in any moon for that matter:D

That is one excellent installation. Never would thought of gutting out a laptop, now that give me some ideas.

Nope. I just put aluminum-backed insulating wrap over the sheet metal.
As it stands now, the center compartments are freezing cold. But, it is winter.
I never had heat problems there to begin with.


The touch screen was the most expensive component at $400.
The laptop was $125 on E-Bay. The display tray was $130.
The GPS software with the GPS was a birthday present, but I think it is about $80.

I can play DVDs, I have a wireless network (so I can cruise the Internet if I can park close enough to a HotSpot). I can upload and download maps and car data directly to my home network when I pull into my garage.
I can run my CANScan and E-Manage Support Tool. I can play Tetris and Mine Sweeper. :p

all while you drive of course
:p :D ;)

Very nice MazdaManiac!! Very nice indeed. Does the GPS software have audio? If so, through the audio system?

Great job man!!

- Irish :cool:

Where did you get the touch screen from. I was thinking of doing that, wondering if I could control after market radio with the touch screen (leave the factory radio in and mount the alpine in the glove box)

Very Nice!

I hope you'll entertain a few questions....
I know, you "could" tell me....but....you'd have to kill me after :)

What OS are you running?
Any trouble finding drivers for the monitor?
Does your monitor retract down into the dash or is it in a fixed mount?
(Aren't you concerned with theft? Crooks will B&E for only a few CD's or a pack of smokes...)
Do you control your DVD with hardware or software?
Where is your DVD drive mounted?
Any difficulties with vibration due to your choice of mounting point?
Where is your mouse and keyboard?

THX,
Al

Thanks for the link Jeff!
Al

hmmm the screen doesn't block the view while driving does it? it doesn't seem liek ti would but pics can be decieving:D hehe i think i'll have to move your car up to the top of my "rx-8's to steal" list:p

Nice!

Nope. I'm only 5' 10" and the upper edge of the screen is still just below the headlamp edge of the fender in my field of vision.

Schaaweeet! :D great job!

Jeff
You are one talented DUDE :cool: in my younger days i had an X girlfriend that loved to perform fellatio whilts i drove her around in the car , with all this tecknology with a internal mounted camera i could have monitored her hard work on the screen ;)whilst i was driving ............... love modern tecknology .


cheers
michael

Brings a whole new meaning to what your avatar says:
"FLY LOW"
:)

that's how they do in in the Outback ;) my gf drives stick and can operate a clutch, the stick shift and my stick shift all while I steer the car and accelerate, if you know what I mean ;)

haha blame the Aussie :p ;) :D