Car Computer?, Ideas? Options

[cnelson]

I would like to install a car computer. I need to know about how much it would cost me. I just want to take an old laptop mount it somewhere power it up to a touch screen monitor then somehow rig it so when the car comes on so does the laptop and when the car shuts off so does the laptop. I also want GPS. I know its a big under taking but i have high hopes on how sweet it would look. I posted in pittfire's theard but he hasn't been around in a couple days so i made my own topic. -cnelson.

[orvillescelica]

1) i used a gooseneck mount, so "fit good" wasnt an issue
2) there are several soultions including relocating your headunit somewhere else, getting rid of your center vents and installing the screen there, using a gooseneck mount, the options are as limited as to what you can think of. If you want ideas, research mp3car.com to see what others did
3) No, it will be just fine. The amount of current the car battery provides is enormous. Getting an optima yellow top isnt a bad idea, but not needed. There is a carputer cacuator out there to help you see what you can handle. Again research mp3car.com to find out your power limits.
4)I dont know about addig a radio function to a laptop, search mp3car.com to find out what other did.
5) i dont know how much time it will take you. It really seems you need to do some more research before you even start to buy parts. IF you dont youll jsut end up wasting money on things you dont need or cant use. I dont mean to sound mean when i say research, i jsut cant answer a lot of these questions. There are a lot of other people and a lot of other examples more qualified than me to help you. Thats where mp3car.com comes in. I knew nothing about building computers or car electronics before i read up on stuff there. Building a carputer is not a science, every single one is different. What one person does might not work for another person and vice versa.