The DIY Car Computer vs. the iPad

Julie188 writes "Auto dealers are selling infotainment systems at a nice fat profit, but if you know your way around a motherboard and power supply you can rip out your car stereo and replace it with a do-it-yourself touchscreen PC, complete with DVD, GPS, TV, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, MP3, and Internet surfing. The question is, is that even worth the bother? Or is it better to bolt a mount into the car for an iPad or a Galaxy tablet and call it good?"

Comments

Re:there is something called voiding a warranty

[Anonymous Coward]

Your warranty won't be voided by removing the radio system.

At least, not the important parts, like your transmission or the engine. So you lose the warranty on the radio, you weren't planning to use it anyway.

Check the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

This is how it's done.

[shredluc]

Screw little double din plug in units. This is how it's done: http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.mr2forum.de/thread.php%253Fthreadid%253D42132%26tbb%3D1%26usg%3DALkJrhh99PEv9yDW3PB3qSJPiLQWKs6GVQ&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=de&tl=en

Re:It's also a nice place to sleep

[Abstrackt]

She Who Must Be Obeyed.

Re:there is something called voiding a warranty

[Jah-Wren Ryel]

most people who buy cars like to keep their warranty

Back in 1975, when congress was owned by a wider variety of corporations, they passed the Magnuson-Moss Act to prevent exactly those kinds of shenanigans.

Re:there is something called voiding a warranty

[eric2hill]

Looks like you may have changed the stereo out before disconnecting power which is a Bad Idea (TM) when installing new car stereos. Agreed that it's stupid to require a dealer visit to reset a light, though.