Build Your Own Car PC

Everything you need to expertly install car PCs

This is a heavily-illustrated, step-by-step guide to installing and controlling a car PC -- using commonly-available, off-the-shelf components. Numerous how-to photos and product shots allow you to easily navigate each step even if you have little "do it yourself" experience.

Includes parts and required tool lists, troubleshooting tips, and a list of manufacturers where you can purchase the parts best suited for your customized system
Companion website offers free software and demo versions of products to use with your car PC

Customer Reviews:

Good in-depth instruction on building your car PC plus apps

By calvinnme - April 22, 2006

This book takes you through building a car PC, using the VIA EPIA Mini-ITX series of motherboards. The case for putting a PC in your car is becoming increasingly compelling with the demands of the modern driver. As well as "infotainment" applications - keeping the kids amused on long journeys, occupying passengers in traffic jams, providing music and rich media for all passengers etc, there are also a great many more "serious" applications such as navigation and route planning, avoiding traffic jams and so called - "telematics" where in-car communications and car computing are fused seamlessly into a single solution.
While the Mini-ITX solution does limit your options in relation to PCI accessories, most of the functions you could ever want are integrated into the board anyway. For example, AC'97 sound which will meet the needs of all but the most demanding users. Video-wise, the EPIA Mini-ITX motherboard's on-board video is well suited to the sort of applications that you will... read more

Great information, but the review on here is not correct.

By Vince Wilkie - April 20, 2006

The book has some really good information. It goes in depth in every aspect of building a car computer. The only thing I am mad about is that on this site, it says that it shows you how to set up automated air and heating, and ultra sophisticated security system.

The book has no referance to that material at all. I was hoping to get that. Other then this it has great stuff in it.

Does it make sense for you to have a car PC?

By John Matlock "Gunny" - April 19, 2006

The first thing that I thought when I saw this book was why would I want to build a car PC. Then I picked up the book and the first chapter was titled 'Why would I want to build a Car PC.'

The first reasons that he gives have to do with entertainment: replace your radio with satellite or audio jutebox, add television and a DVD player. Well, the last time I turned on my radio, which is AM/FM and maybe cassette (I forget), it worked. But that was several years ago. I don't like the noise. So far, no sale. Other people, perhaps yourself, will want an improved entertainment center, so this might be important for them.

Then I got to Chapter 6. Here he is talking about On-board Diagnostics. Your car (unless it is really old) has built in diagnostics. This electronic system monitors all kinds of stuff that's going on in the engine. Now this is something that I can care about. When the stupid 'CHECK ENGINE' light comes on I'd like to know if it is something serious like... read more