strategies for [semi]perminently mounting a laptop

[Tezza]

I'm interested in mounting my standard formfactor laptop inside the vehicle where it can be viewed by the driver with relative ease (pehaps not while driving/moving). Basically it will be a moving map platform with it's USB GPS receiver.
I already have an inverter installed to support it on long trips.

The main issues are safety I think. Appart from being tempted to read things while driving, there is the issue of it being turned into a projectile in the event of an accident (ie. roll-over or side impact). The other main issue is probably the space that it will consume.

I considdered bolting it to the ceiling but that brings with it other issues.

Has anyone out there come up with a good solution to this problem?

[BigMav]

Try this, looks good.
;)
http://www.ja-gps.com.au/ram-mount3.html

[hwystar]

A guy in my club has mounted it into his over head console in his troopy. So if you can picture it the keyboard is on the roof and screen folds out away from the driver towards the windscreen. He has left some space on the side of the over head console to allow it to breathe (fan for the CPU) and has some simple software to invert the screen display (turn it upside down).

It works well...the only thing I find wrong with his application is the laptop is not easily removed and therefore it stays in his rig and is always in sight for thieves. :(

we have never bothed mounting ours to any thing coss there is usualy some one is the pasenger set but i think dad wonts to mount it soon so any sogestions would help me out to

[Purse]

What i am looking at doing, is purchasing an 8" touchscreen for the car. It interfaces to laptop via VGA cable for video, and USB for the touchscreen.

I am actually looking at something like these : http://www.littlepc.com/products_p4littlepc.htm For my PC as they run off 12Volts and are compact, however, i was first considering having the laptop running it. The laptop can then be mounted anywhere you like.

[Tezza]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I checked out the RAM mounts but I reckon a separate panel is the way to go. If I got a panel that could also accept composite video, then I could implement bumper cam(s) and simply switch between lappy and camerras.

Another advantage is that the lappy need not be exposed to as much dust (if the lid/screen is shut). My vehicle has plenty of room under the seat providing for ventilation and where it is also away from the sun.

A mounting system for a panel could be quite easily be rigged up from top of dash to windscreen.

[Purse]

The screen i was looking at also had 2 x composite in, and an audio in. I am going to use the laptop as an MP3 player and also a DVD player for the car. Takes care of a few things all at once.

Im no going flash and spending a heap, just getting a hongkong special off ebay to trial, however it does have a warranty, so hopefully it will last a while.

Happy driving