Built-in Kitchen Computer?

shaun_gordon asks: "As a long-time geek and first-time home buyer, my wife are planning on a complete kitchen remodel. As part of the remodel, I want to put a computer into the kitchen to use for looking up recipes, controling the stereo, watching movies, etc. My only requirements are that it be Internet connected. My wife's requirements are that it be hidden. I am currently thinking of a flat screen that would fold down from under a cabinet and a keyboard in a drawer that pulls out. Has anyone had any experience installing something like this? Any recomendations on building or buying the integrated display? Anything else that I should consider?" Those looking into doing something like this may find a laptop with an 802.11-based wireless network adapter a better, and possibly cheaper, alternative for this kind of feature. Webpads might be another viable alternative, assuming they ever hit the consumer market at a worthwhile price. What suggestions might you have?

Comments

sounds like a fun project

[zogger]

--sounds fun to me. You didn't mention cost requirements, but I am always the cheap fix guy, which means used monitor and older but still decent box. If it was me, I would use a normal large screen crt monitor but build it into the wall someplace so the screen is flush. The box goes over yonder in a closet someplace, behind the monitor and within cable range. Scrounge a slide out tray from an old desk and install that under a cabinet someplace for the keyboard and mouse. As you are remodeling, go ahead and run cables instead of the wireless stuff. And here's a hint on scrounging neato old laminated walls, desks, kiosks, etc. If there's a exhibit/display outfit near you, they frequently scrap out old exhibits. typically they are built from good quality birch plywood that has been laminated. I once got a piece of a booth that I turned into a cooking island relatively easily. The varieties I am sure you have seen if you have attended any large shows, it's staggering and some of the stuff is quite beautiful. the wall panels are neat because they usually already have a plethora of ways to run cabling through them and your power feeds and merely bolt together. Check it out sometime, great way to get nice building materials with a geek flair to them. You might luck out and find a total wall solution that already has everything you need to install monitor displays and what not with the cabinets, etc, merely for hauling it off.

Other requirements

[Nomad7674]

I'd imagine you'd have a few other requirements, too: 1. Water-resistant. Chances are it will get sprayed or splashed rather often. Would not need water-proof, but something not damaged by a spritz here and there. 2. Cleanable. You will want something that can be cleaned off, if the kids drop a jar of tomato sauce and splatters go all over the screen or keyboard. 3. Easily loadable with new info. If you want recipes then you will want the ability to load new ones. Some simple method for info transfer (802.11b, SD cards, etc) would be useful. 4. Not easily overheated. If you are making a roast in the kitchen in the 105 degree heat of summer, you want to make sure the processor does not get cooked. Might be best to avoid a processor like the P4 which is normally very hot anyway, or install robust heat dissipation. 5. Reasonably quiet. Not a big requirement if you are already using an electric mixer, I guess, but it would be nice to have it running but quiet while you are doing some reading and waiting for your confection to bake.

touch screen thin client

[MrResistor]

A thin client with a touch screen is what I would do. Elo TouchSystems makes some nice touchscreens, and they provide Linux drivers. You can get their 12" LCD touchscreen for under $900, and you can avoid all the potential hazards of being dependent on a mouse in such a messy environment.

You'll need VGA and serial connections to make it work. Any random sub-$100 motherboard/CPU combo should cover your needs there, just grab the cheapest you can find on pricewatch. You'll also need an ethernet card that has a boot PROM socket.

I would mount the motherboard on stand-offs in the back of a cabinet, or maybe behind some (short) drawers. Put a wire cage over it so you don't accidentally shove some tin cans into it or something (ouch!), and it will have more than adequate ventilation.

An industrial keyboard is a good idea as well, I would look for a mini keyboard as opposed to a full sized one, since it would be easier to hide in a drawer. If you're mostly just browsing, you probably won't need the keyboard that much.

Of course, you'll also need a Linux box to act as a server. If you don't have one you'd have to add the cost of a hard drive, but I don't expect that would break the bank.

Anyway, that's how I would do it. The only thing visible would be the LCD touchscreen, and most of them are easy enough on the eyes for even my wife! It's bound to be more aesthetically pleasing than some of your regular kitchen appliances, anyway.