Carputers are the only way to go.

['00vegas-solara]

I recently installed a 1.2Ghz Dell laptop into my Solara. I ran the audio directly into a Power Acoustik 800watt amp which powers Pyle speakes. Ive replaced all of the stock speakers with Pyle, their cheap and handle quite a bit of power. I also installed a Visonik 10"sub in the trunk. The VGA out of the laptop goes directly to a Xernarc 7" touch screen LCD in the dash. You can check out my progress at http://www.kjwatson.com/Carputer.html



Anyway this is a great message board. I'm glad to see others who take great pride in their Solaras.

[Jon11582]

How was the fitting? I plan to get the same screen for my carputer project (I'm planning for next spring...700TSV I think is the model)

I see you used a gluegun to mount it to the console piece...I assume you tried to use the stock headunit mounts without any success.

What software are you running?

[Astro]

Man, carputers are sweet!! That's a clean install.

['00vegas-solara]

It's like it was meant to be there. If you go with the Xenarc brand the buttons will not fit. Its not a big deal though as it will power up upon signal detection. I did not try the HU mounts. The Xenarc is only about 1.5" deep when you remove it from the case, so there's nothing to grab on to. Check out http://www.MP3car.com for more info if you haven't already.
I'm running Road Runner software as my front-end. I plan on getting GPS and SIRIUS radio soon.

[Too Bzy]

Really nice install. What's the toggle for next to the aux cig lighter? I would like more information about how the Sirrus, CD, or GPS works with the laptop.
Aren't there carputers, instead of a laptop, that are dedicated to cars? Why use a laptop instead? Pros and Cons, please.

[Dimik]

very good deal, i'm planning on putting mine soon, the only thing i don't understand why waste a beautiful LCD screen and hide it under the seat when you can mount it in the trunk and have it opened 24/7 (good for showing off too)
GPS works fine with the car laptop, so does WiFi, best thing about that one is you can park your car right next to your house and just load all the music from your home computer onto the carputer.. (i'm not a big fan of radio so yeah..)

vegas-solara you should put www.solaraguy.org in links over there on your home page

[michaels artic frost]

You are truly blessed w/ great talents Mr. Watson.

Nice work and thanks for sharing w/ us the pics of your carputer. The woodwork is superb as well.

-Michael

['00vegas-solara]

Thanks for all the kind words. The laptop is used from E-Bay with a non working LCD screen, that why I thought it would be a great candidate for a carputer. The onboard sound was also bad so I have a USB creative 24+ sound card hooked up.

GPS works fine with the car laptop, so does WiFi, best thing about that one is you can park your car right next to your house and just load all the music from your home computer onto the carputer.. (i'm not a big fan of radio so yeah..)

I couldn't agree with you more Dimik, the radio does nothing for me. I have a 60GB hard drive filled with all sorts of music. With a wife and 2 kids at home the only me time I have is when I'm in the car to and from work. Your right I just love remote desktoping into my car in the garage and edting my music selection.

My website is pretty new so I will be updating it soon. Solaraguy for sure will be there.

[skadoo323]

just wanted to compliment your work. def a great idea and relaly nice install. i envy the job you have done. i have been considering doing something like this as well. hopefully i will make the time. anyways great job!!!

[djsaltine]

Nice set up! Nothing like having a hard drive in the car.

[TRAFFICBLOWS]

wow- awesome bro! I, too, have been considering doing something similar... thanks for some motivation.

What is the glare like on the screen?

[Nutty101]

Some stuff we have done..
http://www.livecar.net/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core:ShowItem&g2_itemId=14&g2_GALLERYSID=1613134fccdc7fbd77ecf5cbd7bb1d5c

This was my second or third car pc in the solara...









Older pics... Need to take some new ones but the car has nothing in it at the moment. No time with a new job and just getting the motor back in.





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[hskrsolara]

Just curious, what is the big fascination with carputers? What do you guys like most about them?

['00vegas-solara]

A carputer can do anything the best H/U can do plus GPS, Bluetooth Cellphone integration. Check out http://www.mp3car.com for tons of goodies you can do with a carputer. Plus its just plain Cool.

[Nutty101]

I use mine as an alarm system. Not the pc so much as some extra hardware i have done. Still a par puter in some sense though.. heh