Select your entertainment

> Make your own comic

Strip Editor | GTA online | 3D Pinball | 3D Printer | Carputer | Software | Films | Features

Carputer

I started the carputer back in 2002 after hearing about VIA's new mini-ITX form factor integrated motherboards. Suddenly it seems possible to fit a computer in my car, so I set about the task of working out how to make the hardware run in a mobile environment.

15 September 2002

I finally managed to visit Maplins to buy some of the final items for this project. One of the most useful was some velcro type, which is just velcro attached to a sticky tape. Very useful to putting on the carputer, to make it stick to the carpet in the car.

I was hoping to mount the carputer under my seats, but it just didn't fit well enough for my liking. So I've decided to move the entire thing into the car boot. This does mean I'll need to buy some cable extenders for the power, video, sound, keyboard and mouse cabling. The project just keeps going and going.. :)

In other news, I got a new LCD monitor to test out today. I've written a review of it over here, it's basically the same as the one I currently use, but it's got a build in TV tuner. Read the review for more details.

Here's a few new pictures of what's been going on...


Here is the new LCD I've got, mounted on the dashboard.


Starting to move the carputer into the boot. Note the GPS unit held via magnet on the left of the picture. I will be putting it all in a metal case when it's done.

A very useful device this, it gives me four cigeratte sockets from one. Also the LEDs show the car battery level, very useful.