Computers in cars

[Lacy]

Sorry if you've already had this one but, as a Mac fan, this impressed me for a tidy vehicle installation

http://www.123macmini.com/news/story/15.html

Yummy!

[Saratoga]

There are a few options available.

What do you want it for? Entertainment (MP3s, DVDs, Games), Mapping (GPS, SatNav, Autoroute, Memory Map, Anquet, GPSU, ActiveGPS)

And having read the article I think that most of those applications are for a Windows machine rather than Mac, but you can get the gist :)

Have a look around at mini-ITX machine and the like. You can also have a look at some of the setup rigs for "Netstumbling" and "http://www.mp3car.com/"

So. First Off. What do you want to do / It to do ?! :)

[Lacy]

It will be interesting to see what developments are in the pipeline as far as the Mac mini is concerned with third party developers working hard on docks and software front ends and such like for auto applications. Who knows, the mini might become the 'de facto' car media centre the way the ipod has become the Mp3 player by which all others are judged.

I think installers are waking up to the excellent form factor, rock solid operating system, outstanding multimedia software built in (does anything come close to itunes?) and, best of all, the killer low price.

I am not well up on what's available in the Windozzzzzzzze world with this form factor but does anything come even close on specs and price?

[olo]

a mac is a mac....

so far i've used a series of stupid windoze "operating systems" (thats if they can be called systems and on top of that the operating bit isn't really meaningful). i hate its guts! i use it simply due to compatibility. otherwise i say hello to my friend tux :)

personally i prefare linux for server env. that dont really get messed with much, such as a web server

macs for sound editing and video rendering etc. i just love their functionality.

unix (such as solaris) well thats usefull for when u trying to do the impossible :p love it to bits when u trying to use a single low powered server for multiple tasks in a medium company env.

what can i say? unix & linux have been always workin on their looks and stuff.

windoze... how can i put this.... mac release a GUI interface... wots new? MS have designed a GUI for their windoze! oh look... it looks alot like mac...

mac invented the mouse, the whole pointing and clicking idea.... hey presto! ms are implementing the exact same idea!

and how did MS get in business? they bought an OS that a company thought was rubbish and apparantly it was what was needed for the world.

MS release their wonderfull X-Box... y isn't there a sticker "powered by windows" or something of the sort? oh... its got a linux kernel on it!!

need i continue about if i prefare a mac to a pc? :p

just to keep with the topic.... i love the idea of a mac in a landy... not for me as i wont use it... but its wicked.

obviously not a windows box :p dont want any blue screens popping up whilst TRYING to play an mp3 :p

[Saratoga]

I'm not initially bothered with the operating system, at the moment.

If I have a PC in the (a) car then I would need to work out what it would be used for. Obviously having one properly plumbed in permanently is managable, but I'd need to build something to fit it.

So. What is it to be used for?? Mapping? Entertainment? Internet :) :D ?? Mobile Office?? :)

[Saratoga]

Once you've worked out what exactly you want to use it for (ie The Task(s)) then you can move in and work out the best infrastructure and software to support it :) :) :D :D

I like big words in the afternoon :)