I'm sure you all think I'm out of my mind with the odd ideas I come up with but I like to test the waters.
I'm in the market for a new 13inch Macbook Pro to have a nice portable computer. Once I sell my iMac it will be purchased new from Apple. I already charge my POS school laptop in the car via a 400 watt power inverter in the hatch. Heres my idea:

I want to hook up my power inverter directly to the battery and run the wires under the driver side seat and over the the passenger side. I then want to mount the laptop somewhere that I can swivel it between myself and the passenger.
I want to use it to control my music rather than my iPod, which is just not my favorite interface because I can't simply make a playlist and shuffle it. I also want it to swivel the other way so that a passenger an comfortably use it. Obviously this would happen at red lights and the like, not while driving because a screen that large would obviously take up more concentration than an iPod to operate.

I was thinking of something with a huge base that uses the whole passenger side floor, then a rod up through the carpet and a telescoping/swiveling arm at the top.

Sounds nuts I know, but how cool would that be? I think it's doable.
Any ideas?

 

Cup holder would be a better mounting point right in the middle and such. But its all up to you cause that is a custom job. Meh should have gotten the Navi would be much easier

 

I think this [truthaboutcars.com] is what you are looking for.

 

I love that rug, definitely more character then door-to-door carpeting.

 

You need to think about this...
I have an idea for you how about a Foley Catheters that drains right out of the bottom of your mini...This way you never have to stop and pee.
Just an idea great for long trips...this is how it would look..but you would not need the leg bag
you could buy them here http://www.colonialmedical.com/produ...roductid=19774
hope this helps

 

Well thanks for the completely irrelevant responses.
Porthos the idea isn't about navi. My laptop is always gonna be in my car anyway, so why not make it useful for myself or a passenger?

 

just trying to help

 

These guys are the pros at this kind of thing:

http://www.gamberjohnson.com/

Attaching to the seat mounting bolts is the way to go -- no drilling, and very strong.

They don't have anything for the MINI, as they deal mostly with commercial vehicle applications. But you might find something that works. Perhaps a universal mount that you can bolt to a custom made seat bolt bracket.

 

Did you get the macbook pro 13" yet ? WHere are you gonna hide it tho ?
I hate to see people break into your car just for that :/

 

And that is why I said what I did about using the cup holder or even the center console as a mounting point so that it is in the middle and you can reduce the size.

 

Go to RAM-mount.com they have this model that comes back for the Cooper:

http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResu...5/Default.aspx

A bit pricey at $180. Ram mount stuff is very good. that is what I have my GPS mounted on my motorcycle, and I know a handful of commercial delivery trucks that have elaborate RAM mounts for laptops, scanners, and printers.

 

malteseracer,

Pop over to the Audio and Nav Section there are a number of threads over there about computers in cars.

Like the links below. No these are not specific to a MacBook but can give you some other ideas of how to go a bout getting what you want done.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-and-more.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-upgrades.html

And BTW the MacMini will fit in the Secret Compartment as it is the same size as the one I used in Swiss Miss (second link above).

You could make a mount that swivels for a monitor and then have the MacMini hidden in the secret compartment and then when the monitor is not in use it could be removed or hidden somewhere else so that people looking in the car do not see it.

BTW I use my PC in my car (Swiss Miss) all the time for much more than just music. I use my cell phone as a tethered link to access the internet at any time I have cell signal and I also have a high power wireless adapter so that I can hit the local Pandor/Starbucks/Wendy's/etc WiFi while sitting in the car in the parking lot. The keyboard rolls up and fits along with the mouse in the glove box. I will be changing to a mini wireless keyboard when the weather gets warmer and I can tear the car apart again.

But good luck with your modding adventure

BTW you may even be able to find a power supply that will not need the converter to convert the 12VDC to 120 and then back to 16.5VDC. CHeck out mp3car.com

And if you were to use the MacMini then here is the power supply you need. http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetai...Show=TechSpecs