EeeCarPC

So, the most important component for the carPC, is obviously the PC. :P
I already have the arduinos for interfacing with the locks/windows/roof, the Car2PC for playing music and sending commands from the dash and steering wheel, a USB GPS receiver somewhere in a drawer.

My requirements are pretty typical of a car computer;

1. Can run .NET 2.0 applications (limits me to x86 running Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7)


2. Small and light


3. Low power consumption and low heat


4. Solid state disk (either a CF card, USB Flash, or an actual SSD)


5. Runs from 12v


6. At least 2 USB port(s) and an audio out

Some others things are on the Would-Like-To-Have list include;

1. Its own battery separate from the vehicles


2. Wifi (to remotely upload new music and software, and download telemetry data)


3. Bluetooth (to allow my phone to communicate with it for more complex in car controls)

The first requirement rules out anything not x86, sadly. Something based on an ARM would be perfect from a low power and no-moving-parts perspective. But, alas, no .NET.
I considered putting a Mini-ITX board in a small case, giving it a 4G CF card to boot from, a PCI wifi card a 12v power supply and 12V UPS battery. But the costs for this very quickly added up to nearly $1,000. I figured there had to be a cheaper alternative. After much searching for the ideal embedded type x86 platform, it finally occurred to me;

A netbook!

Specifically, an Asus EeePC 701SD. The tiny screen and keyboard shouldn't be a problem at all, given that its going to live primarily with the lid closed in my car. It meets all the required requirements, and many of the optionals, and was only $327 from JB-HiFi!
Winnah!

Now comes the task of installing Windows XP on it, and then slimming it down so it boots in seconds.