Mac Mini in Car - Discussion, Pics and How To...

[DavieBoy]

You asked for it and you got it...

Finally made a video of the mini in the car. I recorded it with my friends camera because he wanted me to try it out for him and I did not feel like taking out my dvx-100b and try to shoot in a car with it. FYI: His camera sucks... and I still don't like Hard Drive Cameras.

The aspect ratio is off throughout most of the vid so it is a bit stretched but you will get the idea.

As always hit me up with any questions or comments or with a reaction to the vid.

Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hraXIERKmww

I wish we could just post videos in the forum.

 

[jeremy.king]

That's pretty sick....Nice setup - giving me ideas.

 

[domcole]

Good job!

 

[fireshot91]

Did you really get pulled over cuz of your Mac Mini?

 

[livingfortoday]

Wow, this seems pretty dangerous and irresponsible. Shouldn't you really be more focused on driving when you're in the car than playing around with gadgets and watching movies?

 

[Sdashiki]

Wow, this seems pretty dangerous and irresponsible. Shouldn't you really be more focused on driving when you're in the car than playing around with gadgets and watching movies?

a carputer is more than that.

watching video while driving is illegal, so the point can be forgotten when talking about why have a carputer at all.

GPS (not with OSX though), better music interface, wifi etc. All useful upgrades to a simple CD player.

 

[DavieBoy]

Did you really get pulled over cuz of your Mac Mini?

No, that was footage from another project I did a while back...

but I think it makes some kind of point about using the technology responsibly.

 

[mynamesreallong]

Wow thats awesome! Great project. And I think you should be able to do whatever you want. People with negative responses should just keep to themselves. Do want you want to do my man, if I had the technical know-how i would definitely do that. Props.

 

[Golfer00ksu]

That is awesome! Your office set-up must be crazy..

 

[DavieBoy]

Well, I ripped everything out of my car today. I am trying to get rid of the car. I will trade it in as soon as I find what I want at the price that I am willing to spend.

If it is at all possible I will put the mini in my next car and will definitely show you guys how I did it.

Thanks and again if anyone needs help or has a question or wants media just shoot me a line.

 

[ddeadserious]

That's awesome, looking forward to seeing it in your next car.

 

[DavieBoy]

New car, new idea?

I bought a Infiniti M35x. Love the car. (Pic of Silver Car below)

Good news is that installing the Mini is definitely doable. Someone has already done it. (2 pics of a install Brooks did back in 2006 below)

My question is not whether I could do it, I can, but should I do it. Reminds me of Jurassic Park.

I am getting mixed reviews and I am having mixed feelings about it. The car was not as cheap my cars before it. Do I want to "customize" my car that I paid a lot of cash for?

I kind of already started: There was a hack that I did so I can watch DVD's while the car was moving. (Pic of IronMan Mark II below) It took a lot of work and included taking apart the glove box and cutting at soldering wires going to the navigation system. I had to do it because I was just to used to having a DVD player in my car, and the 5.1 audio in this car is amazing compared to a Ford Escape. lol

Right now I have my touch or my phone plugged into the back seat with the Apple Video adapter and use it for music mainly since they are on;y 8 gig and 16 gig respectively.

The back seat looks ugly with all the wires being plugged into the back of the center armrest. I will bring that to a audio shop and have the input moved into the armrest. BUT WHAT DO I DO FROM THERE? Do i install the Mini and maybe take it to the next step or buy a iPod Classic and fill it with music and movies?

Also, my favorite part of the Mini was that I used VLC to play my collection of over 1000 music videos randomly. Does anyone know a way to play a video playlist randomly with an iPod?

Thanks Guys...

 

[Superman07]

Just hook up an Apple TV?

 

[peepboon]

Some guys are just rich lol... some have minis as the main computer, u guys have it as extras lol

 

[DavieBoy]

Just hook up an Apple TV?

Wouldn't do enough to make me happy. I guess I want all or nothing kinda. What I really want is a internet connection in my car so I could sling to it. I would be happy if At&t let us sling to 3G, especially since 3.0 software will allow us to tv out apps.

Some guys are just rich lol... some have minis as the main computer, u guys have it as extras lol

LOL It always weirds me out when I realize people aren't surrounded by computers like me.

 

[DavieBoy]

I am happy to announce that I am finally working on installing the Mac Mini in my new car.

I was unable to install it since buying my new (to me) car do to shortages in both time and cash. Then I was waiting to see what the iPad would have.

Since the iPad is a glorified iPod Touch I have decided to go back to the Mini in the car. I really like the full OS X experience in my car.

I have started the work and have devised a plan of action. I will post pictures of my progress and my plan soon and hope that some of you have ideas on how to complete my install.

Thanks, Dave

 

[rkdiddy]

I am happy to announce that I am finally working on installing the Mac Mini in my new car.

I was unable to install it since buying my new (to me) car do to shortages in both time and cash. Then I was waiting to see what the iPad would have.

Since the iPad is a glorified iPod Touch I have decided to go back to the Mini in the car. I really like the full OS X experience in my car.

I have started the work and have devised a plan of action. I will post pictures of my progress and my plan soon and hope that some of you have ideas on how to complete my install.

Thanks, Dave

I think now you could just purchase an iPad and velcro it to your dash. Instant carputer.

 

[pukifloyd]

I think now you could just purchase an iPad and velcro it to your dash. Instant carputer.

Haha good idea

OP, good luck with your project...the first one was amazing...to have the whole computer in your car! and now we also have MiFi so instant wireless network in the car too!

 

[DoFoT9]

goodluck OP! post pictures ehehe

mounted ipad would be alright i guess. 3G model of course

 

[partyBoy]

That's a nice car set up...I've been trying to find a thread like this for months!...Good job,You know your stuff...I'm planning to buy the ipad and put it in my car so i can hear Pandora or Last.fm internet radio. I just hate public radio !!...I'll be on the look out for your pics