[VE] Carputer install (Macbook Pro)

[BigBoss]

Hey all,

I am finally happy (relatively) with my carputer so hear is how i did it

Firstly i had my old Macbook Pro (MBP) just lying around and felt like a challenge..... well i got one. The idea behind this build was to make it removable so i could actually sell my car and so if it did not work i could return it to how it was.

What it can do:
Hold and play a crap load of music
Play movies
display rear and front camera
display real time OBD data
display emails
Internet

Still to come:
GPS navigation


This is what i used:
Macbook Pro
Lilliput touchscreen
Griffin power mate
2x cheap ebay automotive cameras
2 usb hubs
USB GPS unit
OBD2 to usb cable
2x 5m usb cables
USB sound card
5m HDMI cable
mini display to HDMI converter
DC-DC macbook charger
Other minor things

So the MBP is in the boot (stuck it with velcro) with 2x USB cables, HDMI cable and power plugged into it.

The power cable goes through a relay witch is only active when the car is running (and the MBP sleeps when it is not charging).
the usb cables run to usb hubs under the head unit, these hubs go to the sound card, power mate, OBD2 connector, touchscreen, iPod cable and a spare usb cable for charging and syncing.
The HDMi cable run to the screen.

All the stuff behind my head unit

below are the cables running under the rear seats

(HDMI, trigger cables, 2x USB and camera)

The USB sound card sends audio to the rear aux plug, see this thread
http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/ve-holden-commodore-2006/174798-ve-rear-aux-3-5mm-adaptor-2.html#post1956030

The power mate is used to control most things so i don't need to take my eyes off the road (Music and some programs)

the lilliput screen is sitting in front of the head unit via a metallic bracket i created.

That is the power mate in the lower right.

I could go in to so much more detail but it is so specific to my setup that it is not worth it.

Jus one last thing the programming probably took the most time because i was forced to code really for the first time.

 

[someguy360]

Great job, doing the same to mine soon but with my spare MacBook

How much was the screen?

 

[BigBoss]

Thanks mate, the screen was about $350 from ebay

 

[ephect]

Nice setup, get gps on there ASAP.

Any reason for going Mac over Linux or windows? U rocking mp3car.com?

 

[BigBoss]

Thanks, Um.... I had a spare mac lol and from what i hear mac's perform much better under continue sleep and wake cycles than windows. No i am not on mp3car but those fellers have saved me countless hours.

Oh and GPS is in the works.

 

[itsArthurKomar]

That.... looks.... very....ummmmm confusing haha but is well worth it , i have a question how did you mount the touch screen? just to take in consideration. its either mounting the screen like you just different area or get a custom made screen facia mount which is im imagining gonna cost alot..

 

[BigBoss]

I made a metal bracket that is bolted to the back of the screen and goes under that strip of plastic