The iBug is powered by an Apple Macintosh Mini. ¬ÝThe Mini is the older PowerPC model with 512mb of RAM, an 80gb hard disk drive, slot loading DVD super drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, a homebrewed motorized folding touchscreen, wireless keyboard, Griffin Powermate rotary controller and mouse for input. ¬Ý

It sports the usual - a Royaltek Saphire USB GPS receiver and GPS navigation software for real time moving map display, plays MP3's/DVD’Äôs/digital movies through the car’Äôs Sony Xplode stereo, and has an XM receiver.

One unusual feature of the iBug is the motorized homebrewed flip up screen.¬Ý It folds flat out of the notice of most of the population when not in use and flips upright out of the dash when the system is online.

Another unusual feature is an embedded dock mechanism fabricated to allow the Mac Mini to be removed or installed in the car in a matter of seconds.¬Ý The Mini sports a one-of a kind lunch box style handle to assist in the removal from the dash and makes a nifty carrying handle.

The iBug transmits its location every minute using the integrated GPS receiver in my Boost mobile Motorola i415 phone, relaying its location to a web server via the Mologogo application on the phone, and displaying it here.

Very Interesting.¬Ý But Why?

This isn't my first car computer, but it's been awhile. ¬ÝThe first time I tried anything like this, it was in 1986 with an Atari 1200XL and a Dodge Shelby Charger . ¬ÝWhy go to the effort?¬Ý I like to think that I'm inventive and it's been some time since I've built anything cool.¬Ý The iBug has taken care of that itch.

Being a dork, you get used to thoughts like, "That is an enormous dashboard on my Beetle. ¬ÝI wonder what's underneath it?,"¬Ý In fact, as you stare at said dashboard day after day, you begin to think, "Why didn't they embed a fold-up PC screen right in it?" ¬ÝThen you think, "Why don't I put one in? ¬ÝYeah...why don't I? ¬ÝIt would be easy...."

That’Äôs it?

Yeah, that’Äôs it.¬Ý Just because you can.¬Ý It keeps me off the streets and that’Äôs the way the authorities prefer it.

So I've done it. ¬ÝIt works. ¬ÝNot all of it, of course. ¬ÝThis is essentially an ongoing project, but the basics function reasonably well. ¬Ý This site tells what I did, how I did it, and the numerous mistakes I made along the way. ¬ÝFind out how I wasted $500 bucks due to poor static electricity procedures, and why it really helps to have actual friends when installing a PC in your car.

I am by no means an expert on computer/automotive car pc installations but I’Äôve learned a lot on my own and even more from the hobbyists on mp3car.com’Äôs forums.¬Ý If you are interested in how to do the same thing to your car, you owe it to yourself to check in over there.¬Ý You can buy almost everything you need and the forums are jam-packed with information and a very active community who will hep you through it.

What’Äôs on this site?

1. Pictures of my three previous installs
   

2. Pictures of the dock mechanism for the Mac Mini
   

3. Pictures of the folding screen mechanism
   

4. Excruciatingly detailed descriptions of how I built this thing
   

5. Links to my worklog on mp3car.com, one of the most popular sites for idiots like me to hang out on
   

6. A big map showing the current location of the iBug