Now, should I bite the bullet and spend $$$ and get a SilverLeaf???

[John316]

Others work fine. A great laptop? Apple

We just got the Sony Vaio. So far so good.

But alas, I am not the one to have the tech answers.

God bless,

John

[Dallas]

If you are interested in power supplies to operate your tower or desktop computer from the DC source check these out:

http://www.powerstream.com/DC_PC.htm

http://www.mini-box.com/M2-ATX-160w-Intelligent-Automotive-DC-DC-Power-Supply;jsessionid=0a0106431f4349e5c68eec5d45df9ba6ffc441145efd.e3eSc3eMbxuPe34Pa38Ta38Rah50?sc=8&category=101

http://www.mini-box.com/M2-ATX-HV-140w-Intelligent-Automotive-DC-DC-Power-Supply_2?sc=8&category=101

[JohnEd]

I am assuming that you are not going to embed the laptop in your dash:  Power isn't a consideration!  You will run off of the ion bats in the laptop.  All laptops have the ability to recharge their bats from 12V or 115V or 220V or 24V.  Whatever you buy will have a 115 volt charger with it and then you only need to purchase the 12V charger.  Not a REAL expense consideration and you can verify that on Ebay.

The Sony Vaio is a great laptop that will do more than you are likely to ask of it.  Great Sony reliability and support.  Apple is very spendy for software and support and saying "Apple" doesn't tell you much as they make every level of computer and some of what they offer will not meet you needs.  Also, the most expensive....but they are good, no doubt, but they have their own special complications.  Actually, I wouldn't do the Vaio either cause you can get the performance you need for a lot less money...me thinks.

Good luck,

John

[belfert]

I was doing a little research on this last night.  I found car PCs that will run on 12 volt.  I think some will even run on 24 volts.  Total cost I figured at just over $1,000 including VMSpc.

Now, a laptop with VMSpc would be a little more versatile, but it wouldn't be fully integrated and give sort of the "glass dash" look.

For information's sake, which PC's?  That might solve some of my issues. 

I looked at mini-box.com.  They make 12 volt power supplies and they also have a custom case for mobile/car use.  They will sell the whole PC or you can buy just the case and power supply.

I found others by searching on Google, but mini-box.com seemed to have one of the better deals.  I searched both on 12 volt PCs and Car PCs.

[loosenut]

Matt,

Perhaps I've misunderstood your applications but if you don't mind I have a suggestion that differs from JohnEd's very professional one.

I believe modern laptops will do most of the computing you want.  To me the screen is the most important.  Does it fit?  Do you want shiny or matte?  Do you want realistic colors or vivid?  Do you want touch screen capabilities?  Now throw out everything I've said if you compete in online games, such as Doom.  You will need an expensive speciality computer.

As to brands I use Dell for most mobile installs.  Dell has a very cheap scratch and dent store plus you have the ability to purchase customer help should you want it.  Other than the web only appliances, I think all the computers will handle your needs.   That said I've used Apple, Gateway and Sony brands for mobile installs.

Most brands can be hooked into the 12 volt system via a cigarette lighter adapter.  I've generally add one that is dedicated to the computer. 

As to the variety of outlets John mentioned you can use a modern stereo.  Depending on the brand you will have most if not all the capabilities John mentions.


Hope this helps

Mike

[John316]

Thanks for the post, Mike. It has helped me.

God bless,

John