syncro friendly laptops

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 20 Oct 2008, 19:04

P3 850 Mhz not too expensive and "rugggedised" water resistant (maybe not without the covers though) may run memory map OK?
here

Post by **syncrodoug** » 20 Oct 2008, 21:44

Mini ITX MBs are the way forward!
Have a look at www.itx-warehouse.co.uk

Post by **toomanytoys** » 20 Oct 2008, 21:50

Yeah Doug, was impressed with the package you were building... never did look at wht that would cost as a "sensible" package...

want to "throw" some ideas together for a "multimap" type device with a screen etc....??? maybe strike up a group purchase deal....

Post by **HarryMann** » 20 Oct 2008, 22:20

Is this what'sunder your pax seat Doug?

http://www.itx-warehouse.co.uk/Product. ... ductID=368

Post by **jebiga41** » 21 Oct 2008, 10:03

those ixtronics look very tempting would windows 2000 be ok for just general music and internet possibly playing dvds etc looking for something cheap and me proof i.e waterproof drop proof tough etc so a military spec would be great just worried about compatiblity with modern programmes. Would they be ok as no idea about this stuff and dont need something high spec as have a new desktop

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 21 Oct 2008, 11:23

Hi Doug I have quite a bit of experience with the ITX boards I look after about 90 at the school here, cost wise they are fairly dear especially when you factor in the vehicle charging protection circuit for the ATX power. Apart from that though, they perform remarkably well for what on paper is a low spec CPU. video rendering and large Photoshop files are out of course but they will happily chug away at playing video 2D apps office t'internet etc. Bang for buck I'd say those Itronix are a pretty good deal especially with the possible dropping/ water ingress issues(under the seat are you sure!

) you may want to look at solid state drives as well for vehicle usage, fast as you like and no moving parts, again good for a offroading, there were issues with expected life but I understand wear levelling technologies have put the MTBF on a par with magnetic spinning disks.

Yes these laptops would happily play MP3s, and internet with windows 2000, they may struggle with a DVD disk, you would need an external usb drive running over USB 1 I dont think it would be watchable. But put a copy of Linux on there and you may get away with ripping the DVD to another format and playing that may have more milage. Most software that is XP compatible will run on 2K, and driver support is usually fairly good.

Post by **joshb** » 21 Oct 2008, 11:41

what aboutan eee pc 900 or a 700 if you want a smaller screen. or a 901 which uses an intel atom instead of a celron M.. solid state hdd etc.. you can get silicon protectors etc for em.. easy to take in and out too..

Post by **syncroand101** » 21 Oct 2008, 12:00

http://www.apple.com/uk/macmini/

Post by **v-lux** » 21 Oct 2008, 12:54

Ive been having a look into GPS software for Mac..

But it would seem that the only way to run memorymap on a mac would be to use a pc emulator such as Parallels.

Since thinking about it a bit more too, im not sure that i would like to subject my mac laptop to the beating it could sustain on board an offroader.

Installing a Macmini is an obvious thought, but the PSU for them is an absolute monster. As that is how Apple got around the cooling issues they firt encountered on the 'Cube'. They moved the hot bit of the machine outside of the case. So it would require being mounted somewhere with enough room and ventilation. Weighs a fair bit also.

So, much the Mac evangelist that i am, i am beginning to think that investing into a small, low spec unit such as been suggested would be a more sensible option.

(just dont tell anyone i said that....shhhhhh)

Post by **matt** » 21 Oct 2008, 14:06

panasonic toughbook if i had the mulla

Post by **matt** » 21 Oct 2008, 14:08

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FOR-1-WEEK-ONLY-P ... 286.c0.m14

Post by **HarryMann** » 21 Oct 2008, 18:09

Lot of dosh Matt... Pete Morril's had one of these and had surprisngly a fair bit of hassle with it

Post by **syncrodoug** » 21 Oct 2008, 19:13

My current set up is an Intel MD 1.2GHz with 1G of memory, ATX 12V regulated power supply coupled to a dash mounted 14in TFT screen, USB mini keyboard and just waiting for the wireless trackball to arrive.
I've plumbed in a GPS receiver on the roof.
The 'carputer' currently resides under the passenger seat but that's under review.
The beauty of the this set up is that I boot up and close down by a switch on the dash - no fiddling to find the power button on the laptop etc. The screen also has a switch on the dash so I can switch off when not needed.
The MB is mounted on rubber gromments as is the HDD but will get a solid state drive when prices come down a bit but have had no problems so far with the conventional drive.
And I also have my VAG-COM interface connected up so I can monitor temperatures, pressures and the like if I feel so inclined.
Haven't been able to get my music (Windows Media Player) to play via the BOSE amp I have so would be grateful for any pointers - there are two RCA connectors on the back of the carputer.

Post by **syncropete** » 21 Oct 2008, 20:56

No no no clive!!!!
I Love my cf-28 toughbook. I have dropped it drowned it and generally abused it. They are totally upgradable and more importantly repairable. There are specialist breakers for spares and a huge following. will definately upgrade to a cf-30 when funds allow. These things are even made in Japan which is quite rare now. really good battery life. Imho there is no other laptop worth buying.
Check this - http://www.panasonic.com/business/tough ... onials.asp
Pete

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 23 Oct 2008, 18:12

you da man Doug sounds like a nice set up. A frog pad bluetooth key board is a popular carputer input solution, mount it on the dash or sunvisor?
http://www.hackerstickers.com/products/ ... oard.shtml

http://share.ovi.com/media/ARJWright.pu ... ight.10282

I have read smal lockable key cabinets make a good housing for the mobo too.