Why settle for the standard stereo or a GPS unit when you can have an in-car PC running off your car's battery to guide the way, watch the engine, and download tunes?
By Damien Stolarz Posted 04.16.2007 at 1:00 am 0 Comments

  1. Wire the power regulator's input side to your car battery and ignition so that the computer remains powered even after you turn off the car.
  2. Connect the regulator's output side to the computer. You may have to open the computer to bypass its power button. For a schematic, go to carnetix.com.
  3. Plug the screen into the PC's DVI-to-VGA adapter. To power the screen, plug it into a lighter socket, or just wire it directly to the regulator.
  4. Plug a sound cable from the computer's audio-out jack to the stereo's AUX-in port, or use a tape adapter or FM modulator to hear the PC through your car speakers.
  5. If you want, add a keyboard like the Mini-Key ($25; store.mp3car.com).
  6. Install the car-PC software.
  7. Plug in the cellular modem, install any required software, and hit the road.
  8. Once you've finished, turn to the next page to learn how to make your carputer do what you want with some great applications.

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