Mini-Box unveils VoomPC-2 for in-car computing
While folks have been spinning the whole "PC in your whip" idea for nearly as long as trunks have become acceptable substitutes for low-hertz safe havens, many get a bit turned off when thinking about the lengthy DIY involvements. Mini-Box has unveiled the second rendition of its VoomPC, and aside from bearing an eerie resemblance to your average automotive speaker amplifier, looks to pack a decent set of specs into a tight package at a reasonable price. The VoomPC-2 is again based on the Mini-ITX standard, and houses a 1.5GHz VIA C7 processor, CD-ROM to 2.5-inch IDE adapter, open hard drive bay, and an assortment of ports including VGA, S-Video, USB 2.0, FireWire, Ethernet, PCMCIA, GPRS / WiFi options, and 5.1 audio output. The standout feature, however, is the M1-ATX intelligent power supply that "manages downtime battery use by cutting off various functions at predetermined times and shuts the PC down completely when the car battery drops below 11.2 volts." Additionally, the unit only draws 15 to 35 watts in operation, and has been tested to work in environments ranging from -40 to 55 degrees Celsius. So if you're looking to take your tunes, media, maps, and company projects along with you to check out while waiting in various forms of traffic jams, you can pick up this barebones kit for $395 starting right now.[Via MobileWhack]
Filed under: Desktops, Media PCs, Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
adrian @ Jan 25th 2007 11:38PM
*add this to his next car project*
Suddenly, my car is running out of room to add toys.
Bob Dole @ Jan 26th 2007 12:28AM
Perfect Candidate for one of those solid state hard drives.
I've seen car computer installments with extensive padding and shock protection for the hard drive.
Not bad at all for 400 bucks. . . . or you can score an old mac mini that's not as barebones :-)
Buurin @ Jan 26th 2007 1:41PM
I have a normal 2.5" drive in my carPC w/ no shock absortption whatsoever... Been running fine for close to a year now...
Its mounted in the VoomPC v1 case.
Some people over engineer their setups.
rektide @ Jan 26th 2007 12:36AM
the c7 processor gets rektide stamp of approval. most have onboard crypto and that 15w is probably no lie. its a crying shame via never tried to get nano-atx or any other sub-mini-itx project off the ground, and its a shame it'll take AMD/DAMMIT and NVIDIA another _two years_ to come out with a competitive embedded cpu.
Dustin @ Jan 26th 2007 1:30AM
This looks like a nice product for the carpc market.. I was planning on doing this in my new-next-year car, and this product includes several components in one, that would have previously cost more than this (The power supply alone costs much more than you'd think). Add an in-dash touchscreen, bluetooth, GPS, Streetdeck software, and an EVDO card, and you're in nerdcar heaven.
Anyone want to read more? The mecca for in-car PCs is the mp3car forums: http://www.mp3car.com/ They also make the Streetdeck software which, IMO, is the best and easiest-to-use frontend.
riggs @ Jan 26th 2007 2:29AM
if it only had a slot drive :(
Gil @ Jan 26th 2007 5:17AM
I don't know about you guys but my car gets a lot hotter than 55 C during the summer when I park in the sun. Can this thing take that heat?
MikeN @ Jan 26th 2007 6:28PM
"I don't know about you guys but my car gets a lot hotter than 55 C during the summer when I park in the sun. Can this thing take that heat?"
Your car gets over 130F while you're driving around? Re-read: Tested to WORK in temperatures... When your car is parked, it's not working.
Josh @ Jan 26th 2007 11:53PM
One would hope that it would be capable of cooling itself below 55 C once turned on.
Would make for an interesting project if i had the money to pay for a monthly evdo subscription, a touchscreen, and learn how to wire it all. *thinks of the guy who wired his entire car to a PDA*
Pretty sweet stuff.
Ali @ Jan 27th 2007 1:40AM
Go Mini-PC !
johnny hates waiting @ Jan 28th 2007 10:25PM
I think I might do this for my car, I'll probably just use a solar powered window vent. In fact thinking of mounting a flexiable solar panel in the back window and up on the dash to keep it from draining the main battery during the day. Hey I think I have a use for all my reject dell laptop batteries!!! whaoo....