VIC Ltd rolls out NaviSurfer II in-car PC

It's not quite as sleek as some in-car PCs, but VIC Ltd's new NaviSurfer II looks like it'll at least get the job done with minimal hassle, and at a relatively reasonable price to boot. Despite appearances above, however, this one is a bring-your-own-OS deal (supporting Windows or Linux), and you'll need provide own USB or Bluetooth add-ons if you want to make good on the company's claims that it'll double as GPS unit. But still, for between $578 and $656, you'll get a flip-out 7-inch touchscreen, along with a 1.0GHz or 1.3GHz processor of an unspecified sort, 256MB or 512MB of RAM, and a 40GB, 80GB, or 120GB hard drive. Not exactly enough for some Crysis tailgate parties to be sure, but likely more than enough to handle your basic computing and media playback needs.

[Via Technabob]

[Ig @ Feb 6th 2008 3:13PM]

Finally I'll be able to do some Photoshopping while I'm on the freeway!

[Sime @ Feb 6th 2008 5:05PM]

good luck with that

[Hung @ Feb 6th 2008 8:08PM]

Will it play Crysis or show a Slideshow containing images of forest combat?*


*Note: two may not be mutually exclusive.

[Gadget-T @ Feb 6th 2008 3:19PM]

could be pretty cool. would love to see a demo

[Corazu @ Feb 6th 2008 3:20PM]

The one thing I hate is, why couldn't you have better detailed this? What's the point in posting without the full specs, the summary is great, but have a "below the break" detailed specification. I had to click the read link to get more info on the screen (touchscreen, resolution).

I might as well just stop reading engadget and read technabob, is it that hard to put some effort into the posts, I mean, besides the Apple ones who you seem to go out and perform special favours for?

[michael @ Feb 6th 2008 4:30PM]

I'll second that.

[TheCow5 @ Feb 6th 2008 3:21PM]

Can you hook a second screen to this so you can play a movie for someone who is sitting in the back seat.

[Backlin @ Feb 6th 2008 3:22PM]

It's about time. Now for that microwave and fax machine...

[Ignatius @ Feb 6th 2008 3:39PM]

I'd prefer we have cars that can drive themselves before some retard decides to have an e-argument with someone online in their car and smashes themselves into the center divider with untold amounts of rage.

[kojo87 @ Feb 6th 2008 5:13PM]

road rage on the highway AND information superhighway at the same time!!

[Greg @ Feb 6th 2008 3:42PM]

Does the display tuck inside the DIN chassis when not in use or does it always hang out in front? Does it have a CD/DVD drive?

[Sime @ Feb 6th 2008 3:49PM]

pshht...i use my voodoo laptop for my mobile crysis fix. that could eat this "carputer" alive

[Frank Palazzi @ Feb 6th 2008 3:50PM]

Now if the X86 community can get 10.5 running on it.........

Frank

[Nathan @ Feb 6th 2008 5:45PM]

Phew! Good thing you put your first name at the end of your post, otherwise we might not have known it was you!

Oh wait...it says so right at the top of your post.

[o_rita @ Feb 6th 2008 4:05PM]

Does it have a radio?

[chrisaroz @ Feb 6th 2008 4:17PM]

HAHA! That's awesome. I hadn't even thought about it, but that's the most obvious question yet.

[Rick @ Feb 6th 2008 4:21PM]

And when Windows gets a virus does your car get taken over by a hacker?

[JuggleNuts @ Feb 6th 2008 4:34PM]

Boot time? Ignition-linked startup? More details please ...

[Kamokazi @ Feb 6th 2008 4:40PM]

Same as any other 1ghz PC on a 5400 RPM laptop drive.
Yes.
Click the read link, lazy ass.

[JuggleNuts @ Feb 6th 2008 4:58PM]

Wow, you must live stressed life.

As a former carPC modder, I just thought I'd point out the lack of info on the two biggest concerns.

[Kamokazi @ Feb 6th 2008 10:02PM]

And as I was trying to point out, one of your eact questions is answered on the product page after the read link. The other can be inferred with a decent amount of PC knowledge, and since it doesn't come preloaded with an OS, it would be hard for them to provide a reliable answer, so you really can't blame them for not listing one.

[Tobin @ Feb 6th 2008 4:50PM]

"more than enough to handle your basic computing...needs." I don't know about you, but I don't have basic computing needs while I'm driving. I don't even like to eat so I can better watch out for all the other people multitasking on the road.

[Christian @ Feb 6th 2008 4:50PM]

Does it have wifi of any sorts or internet connection? Can it act as a media extender too?

[computer.dude.28 @ Feb 6th 2008 5:01PM]

Unless you're planning on parking outside people's houses and "borrowing" their internet, I don't see the point of having Wifi. EV-DO however..

[Dave @ Feb 6th 2008 7:06PM]

Wi-Fi would be useful for doing a share while the car is parked in the driveway. I've always thought that having the ability to drag-and-drop music files (or whatever) onto my car via [insert your favorite OS here] would be the hot setup.

[skulldriveshaft @ Feb 7th 2008 2:12AM]

@ Dave - it comes with a Bluetooth Dongle - just push your music from your phone.

Otherwise, grab a usb-wifi stick, you're golden.

[Alex @ Feb 6th 2008 5:07PM]

I put a carputer in 3 years back...running XP. Yes, gps is great, voice instructions, etc, touchscreen mounted and modded the dash so it looks factory installed, linked it to my ignition and everything, but man, carputers suck, windows bugs out and stuff and its certainly not ideal when driving. Its just a hassle. My recommendation to anyone thinking about even an all in one unit like this - skip it, go get a nav unit or nice jvc head unit with the touchscreen and nav and stuff without the horrors of windows in your car.

[Matt Hudson @ Feb 6th 2008 7:49PM]

Alex.

I have to disagree with your post. It sounds like you may have had a bad experience for sure... but simply because you had this experience doesn't mean you should ward of the entire public from experiencing it themselves.

My personal experience has been great. The 'wow' affect from riders aside, navigation, BT phone integration, on-the-road G3 connection, Sling-TV (on the road live TV/Recorded TV) for passengers, Hands-Free phone, Voice Commands, Videos, MP3's, Radio, Satellite... and knowing that you can always add more --

Sure, it's not for the average PC user, but for hobbyist and enthusiasts, the CarPC/CarPuter realm is very exciting.

This particular product is just another 'easier' entry-level item which and entry-level Car-Electronics/Computer-Lover could get their feet wet.

I would encourage those interested in learning more about In Car Computing to read up on it a bit. A great source of info is mp3car . com ... chances are someone's already modified a rig, just like yours and can give more advice about it.

[Alex @ Feb 6th 2008 9:10PM]

Yea agreed mp3car forums is the place to learn all about it. Its definitely awesome when it all works, but man, Windows, at least for me, it doesn't always work, and when ur on a long drive trying to make good time with no time to pull over and fiddle it its the worst thing in the world. the wow factor was awesome...until my girl got iDrive in her brand new beam, and all in one units have become so common as factory spec'd. i think what it is i just lust for a hassle free solution, and a carputer def ain't it. eh, few more months though, start my job this may so ordering an MB s550 in march so won't have to deal with Windows anymore, have a nice integrated unit (well personal taste at least, gone on a few test drives and love the new s550 system, in my eyes makes my carputer look like DOS (again personal opinion im not a DOS user lol, but for those who are...))...
Its not just my experience btw, after i did mine my friend was wowed and did one in his 350z, did like me modified the dash and everything so full custom install so looked like the car was made with it built in there, he pursued his own route using mp3 car forums, same problems, he could never get bluetooth to work, windows would crash consistently, he tried a few hard drives that always cr*pped out on the road, after a year he had had it too, ripped everything out and sold the car haha.
oh well. its nice to know theres someone out there who's system works!!! power to u matt. i think thats good advice btw, anyone interested, yea def make sure you have the time to really invest into it, and read up on mp3 car forums...people are really helpful answering questions too!

[Alex @ Feb 6th 2008 9:10PM]

Yea agreed mp3car forums is the place to learn all about it. Its definitely awesome when it all works, but man, Windows, at least for me, it doesn't always work, and when ur on a long drive trying to make good time with no time to pull over and fiddle it its the worst thing in the world. the wow factor was awesome...until my girl got iDrive in her brand new beam, and all in one units have become so common as factory spec'd. i think what it is i just lust for a hassle free solution, and a carputer def ain't it. eh, few more months though, start my job this may so ordering an MB s550 in march so won't have to deal with Windows anymore, have a nice integrated unit (well personal taste at least, gone on a few test drives and love the new s550 system, in my eyes makes my carputer look like DOS (again personal opinion im not a DOS user lol, but for those who are...))...
Its not just my experience btw, after i did mine my friend was wowed and did one in his 350z, did like me modified the dash and everything so full custom install so looked like the car was made with it built in there, he pursued his own route using mp3 car forums, same problems, he could never get bluetooth to work, windows would crash consistently, he tried a few hard drives that always cr*pped out on the road, after a year he had had it too, ripped everything out and sold the car haha.
oh well. its nice to know theres someone out there who's system works!!! power to u matt. i think thats good advice btw, anyone interested, yea def make sure you have the time to really invest into it, and read up on mp3 car forums...people are really helpful answering questions too!

[skulldriveshaft @ Feb 7th 2008 2:18AM]

you kinda stuck the nail on the head with "horrors of windows"

it usually comes down to isolation of the system, if not done properly, and I mean PROPERLY, you will have nightmares.

after you get isolation down, hdd shock absorption is your enemy.

now if I can get this thing up a running from a memory stick, memory card adapter, the HDD can stay at home.

[Alex @ Feb 7th 2008 10:39AM]

Yea man I looked into that option. I personally run a 3.5 inch desktop drive and store my music on external 2.5 inch drive so i can bring it inside to update it easily, but I've never had the hard drive crash issue, dunno, maybe just lucky.
I did def look into the CF option since Via sells boards with CF adapters right on them, and do a striped down version of windows (i forgot the name of the program now)...but yea, just never got around too it...the amount of time you can throw at these things is just exponential.
Windows in a car I think will always be problamatic...occasionaly it crashes, then i gotta hook up a keyboard to reboot or else I can't get by the bios screen becaue it tires to read off the now corrupted hybernation image...
then you gotta recalibrate the touchscreen, then this, then that...ugh. Too many wasted hours fiddling with it. Good luck though man, I hope your experience goes silky smooth!!! :)

[Matt Hudson @ Feb 8th 2008 3:36AM]

Well, I guess this is where it all comes together for either being 'pro' carPC or 'anti' ... which is the accessories, and the overall user-experiance.

Maybe these are big 'if's.. but, If:
- You have properly run wires (sound/electrical/usb/firewire/etc)
- You have installed proper power regulators/switches/etc
- You have customized your install to your likes
- You have a solid front-end (CentraFuse for example)
- You have extra goodies (Blue-tooth keyboard), Exteneded 'restart button' mounted in your ashtray, USB ports in the console for easy file-sharing music-swapping...

Then the [entire] experience is wonderful.

The planning, the parts-ordering, the fabricating, the install, the re-install, the testing, the calibrating, the sweat, the aching back...

All worth it.

Hope someone can find as much enjoyment out of the entire process that I have :-)

[Alex @ Feb 8th 2008 7:07AM]

Haha I still disagree Matt. I've done it all, got a clean install and mounted the LCD in there and remolded my dash and everything, did a bang up wiring job and everything....but everythign still sits on top of windows..which has nothing to do with how cleanly my hardware is installed...so my "pro" install job doesn't makea damn bit of difference...i certainly wouldnt do a hack job, trust me, lol. its all about the software man, front ends are great but they still sit on top of windows. but hey, it sounds like it has worked out for u so thats good.

[Nathan @ Feb 6th 2008 5:49PM]

(insert comment about how Linux won't cause your car to crash, year of Linux-Mobile(rimshot!), ad nauseum)

[decoy @ Feb 6th 2008 6:19PM]

No DVD/CD drive and only USB 1.1....

[mattydread @ Feb 6th 2008 10:34PM]

Atleast with the USB 1.1 you could use a USB->Serial adapter for connecting to your car's ECU. Drove around in my Honda with a laptop connected to my OBD2 port after my check engine light came on, and saved a trip to the mechanic!

[OneLove @ Feb 6th 2008 6:40PM]

can it play doom?

[kastonie @ Feb 7th 2008 12:41AM]

will it blend?

[Will @ Feb 6th 2008 6:48PM]

I think an eeePC with a touchscreen would do me better at that price. With wifi included, and could be 'docked' to the touchscreen.

[Waseem Traish @ Feb 7th 2008 12:29AM]

where did you see usb 1.1? i saw 4 usb 2.0 ports listed. sure, no integrated dvd, but use one of those usb 2.0 ports and a slim slot load dvd drive and you are in business.

[Waseem Traish @ Feb 7th 2008 12:30AM]

sorry, the 2 models have 1.1 listed and the 120gb has 2.0 listed... but the 120gb has a slower processor???? weird...

[Scott @ Feb 7th 2008 8:52AM]

Make sure you're talking about the complete system. Looking at their site, the computer system is a small black box. The picture you show is one of the options for the LCD screen, not the system. They have another one that's double-din 6.5" with DVD drive.

Does the price you list include the system with an LCD?

[dosguy @ Feb 7th 2008 12:35PM]

The screen's a little small considering distractions from things like dashboard indicators and sun glare, not to mention that damned steering wheel. A twenty-four inch wide screen would've been nice for gaming. And where do you plug the keyboard in?

[ken @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:05PM]

I PAID FOR ON OF THESE NAVISURFER CAR PC'S ON 8/8/08 AND STILL HAVE'NT GOT IT. THE PHONE NUMBER AND CORPRATE E-MAIL ADDRESS DON'T WORK. I E-MAILD THE 1 SALES EMAIL ADDRESS THAY GIVE BUT AFTER 30 E-MAILS I SENT ABOUT MY ORDER THAY ONLY RESPONDED 1 TIME 3 WEEKS AGO, SAYING THAY WILL LOOK INTO IT.
I DON'T RECCOMEND ANYONE TO ORDER, VIC LTD (NAVISURFER) ITEMS. UNLESS YOU WANT TO GET RIPPED OFF. OH! I ALSO PAIED $110.00 US DOLLARS FOR EXPRESS DELIVERY. NEEDLESS TO SAY I'VE BEEN HAD.!!!!!

[ken @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:07PM]

I PAID FOR ON OF THESE NAVISURFER CAR PC'S ON 8/8/08 AND STILL HAVE'NT GOT IT. THE PHONE NUMBER AND CORPRATE E-MAIL ADDRESS DON'T WORK. I E-MAILD THE 1 SALES EMAIL ADDRESS THAY GIVE BUT AFTER 30 E-MAILS I SENT ABOUT MY ORDER THAY ONLY RESPONDED 1 TIME 3 WEEKS AGO, SAYING THAY WILL LOOK INTO IT.
I DON'T RECCOMEND ANYONE TO ORDER, VIC LTD (NAVISURFER) ITEMS. UNLESS YOU WANT TO GET RIPPED OFF. OH! I ALSO PAIED $110.00 US DOLLARS FOR EXPRESS DELIVERY. NEEDLESS TO SAY I'VE BEEN HAD.!!!!!

[antonio @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:54AM]

I wanted to know if the car pc you come, I am also waiting for the PC, let me know if you have news.

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