Vmspc

[Gutter Man]

I was looking at a few options for my vmspc that is arriving this week. Since my old laptop is not quite functionable anymore I was looking at some mini laptops. The small notebooks dont run windows OS as I understand and some of the mini notebooks run windows CE. Has anybody used either of these with any luck or should I keep looking?

[Diplomat Don]

Gutter Man....Here is what I did and used VMSpc Project

[JimM68]

The HP netbook I bought my wife last christmas runs windows 7 home, it will do anything. I bought it at best buy
Look for a windows 7 machine.

[greystroke]

Initially I used my 17 inch portable and put a stand by the drivers seat but that was just too much to handle. I bought an ASus netbook from Best Buy with a full version XP installed. I don't think Best buy handles these any more.

I do not use it on the internet at all and I don't allow updates. It is very fast and is ideal for running the VMSpc. If I update it I know it will slow down so it is for the VMSpc only.

I built a non-intrusive shelf held in place by Velcro to the left of the steering wheel. Not nearly as nice as Don's but it works great and easy to keep clean.

I prefer XP over the Windows 7 starter because I think it is more stable than Windows 7.

You can probably get the cheaper netbooks with XP off the internet.

[RickO]

I use an HP Netbook I originally got from Verizon. It's mounted on the dash and runs VMSPC and Microsoft Streets and Trips.

Rick

[ShapeShifter]

Does anybody make a small (and inexpensive!) tablet PC that runs Windows and would run VMSpc? In reality, it seems that even a basic laptop is overkill, and it seems a waste to tie up all of that cockpit/dashboard real estate with a laptop keyboard, when all you really need is a medium size display.

What we really need is a version of the VMSpc software that runs under iOS (iPad) or Android.

[Gutter Man]

YOu got it ShapeShifter. I would love to use as tablet to run this Vmspc. IF I can get my laptop up and running I am thinking of getting a small lcd and run a usb or vga from the laptop. I stillhave a little time to figure out what I want to do. Keep the ideas coming. By the way Don yours looks great and I have been going over your thread for ideas for a while now.

[BobGed]

I run mine along with Streets & Trips on a Dell mini 10. Mounted on the console as shown in the attached pic.

[ShapeShifter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gutter Man IF I can get my laptop up and running I am thinking of getting a small lcd and run a usb or vga from the laptop.

That's my backup plan: an old laptop and a remote mounted display. If I go that route, what I really want is a display in the 7.5 inch range, which can be run in a portrait (vertical) orientation (have to make sure the laptop video driver can run it that way.) I would mount it vertically to the left of the dash, in that area above the transmission keypad between the instrument panel and the side window. Then the laptop would be hidden somewhere, perhaps behind the lower center console.

Of course, if I could find a suitable small tablet, then there would be just the one piece, and I wouldn't have to find a place to hide the laptop.

[Diplomat Don]

Just something to think about when you decide which monitor/laptop to use. I looked for one that could run on 12 volts so that I wouldn't have to deal with 110 volt power issues. The other thing with running a remote location laptop, is the system needs to be restarted each time you turn off the coach, at least on my HP laptop. It won't restart after the engine is shut down without closing the program and restarting. If it's difficult to access your remote computer, it could be a pain.....just some thoughts.

[texnet]

You can build a RVPuter (Car Computer) that runs on 12 vdc. I built one last year for my Gas Fourwinds, use if for AM/FM Radio, CD/DVD Player, Gramin PC, Engine and transmission monitor via ODBII, hands free for my iPhone, and will be moving it over to a Monaco Dynasty with VMSPC in a few weeks. I use Centrafuse Car PC (Centrafuse™ | A Whole New Way) touch screen software, via a 7" touch screen that I mounted in place of the 20 pound dash radio, for most of the functions but have a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse hooked up if I need them. More details are located in this thread RVputer, aka Carputer, Car PC, Car Computer You can purchase all the parts from Mobile Computing Solutions - Innovations in Mini ITX

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don The other thing with running a remote location laptop, is the system needs to be restarted each time you turn off the coach, at least on my HP laptop. It won't restart after the engine is shut down without closing the program and restarting. If it's difficult to access your remote computer, it could be a pain.....just some thoughts.

I don't think that's normal Don. My HP netbook keeps the app running while getting fuel, etc and picks back up as soon as the engine is restarted. There may be a little gremlin running around somewhere causing you to restart.

Rick

[BobGed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO My HP netbook keeps the app running while getting fuel, etc and picks back up as soon as the engine is restarted. Rick

I think it's called a laptop battery.

[Diplomat Don]

RickO....I should correct my statement. My laptop continues to run, since it's connected via 12 volts all the time and the application stays open, but I get no readings unless I restart the application after the engine has been shut down.

I guess the other thing I should have mentioned when I discussed what I used (the small HP mini) was I was trying to keep the price of the project under $700.00 with all the components. I could have bought an IPAD or similar device, but then I would have been better off to just buy the SilverLeaf system for $2000.00.