Laptop in the 4Runner...

farmerjon

farmerjon

Senior Member
So... I have this really old laptop, so old that it doesn't even have WiFi built in. It runs Windows XP and is has decently slow speeds. Not too bad of a physical size, but would need to be tied into the 12V.

I've gotten to thinking, what if i utilized this somehow in my rig... Here's what I've come up with:

  • offline maps (like GMapCatcher)
  • Movie/DVD player (for passengers) - don't really care about this one
  • Have entire music collection (again, not a big deal, already got smaller devices to do that)
  • Dash Cam PC - like get two webcams, for front and back, and record directly to the computer.
  • Store info, in case something happens, like contact,s or some kind of data. Offline, of course.
  • Maintenence Logs?

That's all the ideas I have for now... So I'm asking you guys... any ideas on what I could do with my car computer?
 
Register to hide this ad
so you have a Google Nexus 7 tablet running (pure) Android 4.1 or 4.2 and you don't like it?

Specifically what don't you like and why would XP be better?

I mean I lot Windows and run XP, Windows 7, OS-X, have a work iPhone 5, a personal Galaxy Nexus phone, and I got my GF a Nexus 7 tablet.

I'm pretty open minded and I think hands down the Nexus 7 would be the best thing for the 4Runner. Windows laptops are not touch and you will crash if you try to change a song or something while driving.

Also it is probably illegal, at least here in California to use a laptop while driving. However dash mounted tablets are practically no different than OEM solutions because they employ touch screen control of the UI.
 
brianemc2_42 said:
so you have a Google Nexus 7 tablet running (pure) Android 4.1 or 4.2 and you don't like it?

Specifically what don't you like and why would XP be better?

I mean I lot Windows and run XP, Windows 7, OS-X, have a work iPhone 5, a personal Galaxy Nexus phone, and I got my GF a Nexus 7 tablet.

I'm pretty open minded and I think hands down the Nexus 7 would be the best thing for the 4Runner. Windows laptops are not touch and you will crash if you try to change a song or something while driving.

Also it is probably illegal, at least here in California to use a laptop while driving. However dash mounted tablets are practically no different than OEM solutions because they employ touch screen control of the UI.
Click to expand...

No, I don't, but I've never liked Google's products. I've used a Samsung Galaxy with Android, and I disliked it, both Android and the device. I agree about the crashing bit, I don't really see myself using a laptop while driving, but it would be nice to have for certain things. But, there's a reason I've scrapped this idea before, so I'll likely be scrapping it again. Seeing as I already have several Zunes for music, and a TomTom ($5 score at a yardsale)...

I know my tech pretty well - I've used OSX, XP, Vista, 7, a variety of Linux flavors... I tend to be a bit spoiled, I expect some powerful devices and capabilities, so when it comes to a "computer" for the Rig, I expect something powerful, and in my mind, even XP is much more powerful and capable on an old laptop than on a newer Android device.

BUT... That's my perspective. Cheers!
 
I knew a guy years ago who hooked up an old 3.5" Quantum desktop drive in his car to play music. This was back in the late 90's. We were all sure it would crash right away but it lasted for months! Of course those old drives could practically read right over crashes and not even ruin a head. These days heads die as soon as they get near media damage. An SSD would be perfect.
 
so when it comes to a "computer" for the Rig, I expect something powerful, and in my mind, even XP is much more powerful and capable on an old laptop than on a newer Android device.

BUT... That's my perspective. Cheers!
Click to expand...


I think the main question is do you want a computer you can use for NAV, Music, Text, Email ect while driving?

Or do you want a Powerful computer you can use in your car while parked?

Because honestly I have a Powerful Lenovo and I commute weekly. I would never use it while driving, :smash: I mean I can't see myself doing anything that requires Windows WHILE driving ....

To each their own obviously ...
 
brianemc2_42 said:
I think the main question is do you want a computer you can use for NAV, Music, Text, Email ect while driving?

Or do you want a Powerful computer you can use in your car while parked?

Because honestly I have a Powerful Lenovo and I commute weekly. I would never use it while driving, :smash: I mean I can't see myself doing anything that requires Windows WHILE driving ....

To each their own obviously ...
Click to expand...

I actually laughed at that, trying to do something that requires the Windows OS while driving lol :AK47:

If I had a laptop in the car, I wouldn't use it while driving. I know that's dangerous, and I wouldn't want to risk me, or my passengers, or my T4R for that.

The answer would isn't so much which one, but rather how can I repurpose an older laptop for something practical. But every idea I have, something else is better and smaller for the purpose, like recording cameras, or the music library or the fact I already have a GPS.

I'm scrapping this idea. But it was good to bounce some ideas and thoughts around...

And if I lived in a more urban/crowded area, I would definitely get a dash cam.
 
Let's try this again... Didn't post last time... Anyway I found this guy's website years ago. Would love to do what he does! Here's a pic of his interior.
ExpeditionLCInterior115.jpg


I think he used to have a Tacoma, then upgraded to a FXJ80. Neat website to check out.

Brian894x4's Homepage
 
WOW! Thanks [MENTION=28808]psraff[/MENTION] ! That is some awesome gear, he has his iPhone, and Scangauge, and all kinds of radios, and a laptop, and an GPS unit... wow... Thanks for this, the link looks good, I can tell I'm going to be reading this one for a while!
 
Last edited:
psraff said:
Brian894x4's Homepage
Click to expand...


I am only accessing this website to figure out what in the world this guy has all that stuff for. With my iPhone, a map, compass, and in dash nav I have never once thought, "You know, I would be so screwed if I didn't have a laptop swiveling out of dash right now."

After looking at his sleeping platform for 1, and no room for passengers, I think he looks lonely.
 
lol I did wonder. he sure does have a lotta gear!

Like I said, I don't really have any real need for the laptop, just wanted to see if there were any good repurposing ideas.
 
farmerjon said:
lol I did wonder. he sure does have a lotta gear!

Like I said, I don't really have any real need for the laptop, just wanted to see if there were any good repurposing ideas.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I cannot see a purpose for it, to be honest.

I have an older laptop in my garage that I have the FSM and a few of my favorite write ups on... I use it strictly for working on my 4Runner, and tuning the 7th Injector. It has wifi, which I have only used a couple of times to access write ups. If I am going for an extended trip, I'll throw it under my seat, just in case. It has been used a couple times to watch movies when the weather turned sour whilst camping, and for looking at pictures from trail cams whilst hunting.

I never considered hard wiring it in... I cannot justify that.
 
farmerjon said:
WOW! Thanks [MENTION=28808]psraff[/MENTION] ! That is some awesome gear, he has his iPhone, and Scangauge, and all kinds of radios, and a laptop, and an GPS unit... wow... Thanks for this, the link looks good, I can tell I'm going to be reading this one for a while!
Click to expand...

Glad I could throw something at you guys. Check out his site, it seems pretty old (no updates) but that group researches, and tracks down old mines, camps, damn, railroads, ect..... I've spent many hours going over his site years ago. I had to use Google to find him when you mentioned a laptop.
 
ProClip makes some nice holders for phones, tablets and laptops.

I use my Samsung Tab2 for navigation.

proclip2.jpg


proclip1.jpg
 
Last edited:
psraff said:
Let's try this again... Didn't post last time... Anyway I found this guy's website years ago. Would love to do what he does! Here's a pic of his interior.
ExpeditionLCInterior115.jpg


I think he used to have a Tacoma, then upgraded to a FXJ80. Neat website to check out.

Brian894x4's Homepage
Click to expand...

woow, now thats way to much crap, what ever happened to just having a paper map and a compass ? lol
Theres just way to much going one in that cab, and to much stuff can fail, causing other issues, no thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 338 (members: 2, guests: 336)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,310
Messages
3,554,078
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top