Mac mini car dock with 8-inch display
By Marc Perton 
posted September 12th 2005 12:40PM
posted September 12th 2005 12:40PM
This Mac mini docking system from Japan is both one of the most enticing and most
inelegant mini car systems
we've seen. Enticing because it includes an 8-inch touchscreen — perfect for accessing iTunes and causing accidents.
Inelegant because the mini sticks out of your dash like an old 8-track tape, and that big touchscreen sort of hovers in
limbo next to your steering wheel. For $1,600 (not including the mini or installation), we'd like to see a bit more
integration, but we guess we'll sacrifice elegance for that big juicy display.
[Via Akihabara News]
This thing is severely overpriced and not even worth it. You could build one for less than $100 (not including screen)! A good worklog of someone adding a Mac mini, with home made dock to his VW is available here: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=50583
Check out the mp3car.com forums and the MacCar section for good discussion of Macs in cars.
Just a quick question - how the hell do you turn the mini on?????
Distracted Drivers don't kill People. The Government Does.
Umm...computer sticking out of the dash, color touch-screen jutting up into the air. Aside from hanging a gold brick from your rearview mirror, I can't think a much better way of getting your car broken into. Alarm or not, an experienced theif could have this crap out of your dash and into their living long before the cops on your block finish making their dozen doughnut decision.
Umm...computer sticking out of the dash, color touch-screen jutting up into the air. Aside from hanging a gold brick from your rearview mirror, I can't think a much better way of getting your car broken into. Alarm or not, an experienced theif could have this crap out of your dash and into their living long before the cops on your block finish making their dozen doughnut decision.
SWEET!!!
Does Mac have any GPS sofware?
Er...isn't that a tiny bit distracting?
How are you supposed to spot that kid running out from behind a car when you are looking at a computer screen?
how is this even engadget worthy? they just minorly modified the mac mini docking station and attached a lcd touchscreen to it. give me a mac mini, dock, and xenarc touchscreen and i'll have the same thing sans ~500 bucks.
Yeah - this should be and will be illegal
Blah.... http://tunertricks.com for the real deal!
Engadget has some catching up to do. Here's a good place to start:
http://www.tunertricks.com/blog/
On this guy's blog, you'll find a really cool Mac mini install, with a much more practical Double-DIN sized touch screen. He also reveals how he hacked the power button to relocate it to the center console, while the mac mini resides hidden in the glove box. The power button still works/lights up perfectly in its new location, and even does that "breathing" thing when the mini goes to sleep. Cool.
This dude does iPod installs like a work of art, too. His custom docks are pretty damn expensive, but if you are really into it, I guess you'll spend the $$$.
Having a screen in your car isn't illegal and will never be illegal. What is illegal is watching it while you're driving. It's a matter of common sense.
Also, I would assume that the Mac mini can be removed when you are not present at the vehicle, so thieves have nothing to steal.
Your car will be stolen in 3 2 1 GONE !
It's sad when the first thing I noticed wasn't the Mac or the screen, but the fact that it was a Saab 9000 it was installed in. And it is probably a European one because it's right hand drive.
Man, I need help.
Not sad at all. Pre GM Saabs are the greatest cars EVER. Everyone knows that the 900 OG is the GREATEST MATERIAL GOOD EVER PRODUCED, EVER!@
Josh:
My OG Saab wasn't that great. It was a grey import (Air Force brought it back from Europe for me) 900 Turbo. Turns out non-intercooled turbos don't hold up well in 100+ degree summer heat!
Now when it did work, it as great. It felt like flying a jet. But all too soon, that turbo would blow up, leaving me leaving a smokescreen like the Batmobile.
Car features don't kill people. Stupid people kill people :P
Pretty cool since it is a full fledged computer and not a CE/Palm/Symbian device doing just the basics.
As for the car I believe it's a Japanese model (right-hand drive) 2nd Gen 900 or 1st Gen 9-3.
I noticed they removed the stereo system but left the SID (SAAB Inforation Display) computer in.
SAAB Rules!
Cheers!
Mike (9-3 SE Aero)
Actually, that's a Model Year 98-05 Saab 95. But I Agree, Saab is the best car PERRIOD!