'Dilbert My Ride': PC Magazine creates a four-wheeled cubicle
While the notion of drivers that want to access the Information Superhighway while motoring on the interstate highway concerns us greatly, we're reasonably sure that we're outnumbered. In fact, its likely only a matter of time before Bill Gates and friends are hanging out in our center console, jockeying for space with HVAC systems and cupholders brandishing venti Frappucchinos.
Oh, you've seen in car computers before. Most stabs at putting the computers in a four-wheeled environment have started with ultra-posh showcars, resulting in hyper expensive technological tour de forces. But that's not the case with PC Magazine, which inexplicably went and turned a humble 1998 Toyota Corolla into a mobile office.
Of course, with a scanner at the ready (visor resident, no less), a laptop hiding underneath the driver's seat, printer armrest, rudimentary heads-up display and apaper-shredder in the glovebox, there's probably more money in added silicon horsepower in here than there is Toyota horsepower, but that doesn't seem to bother the PCM folks.
Be afraid, children... be very afraid.
(Top-tip, J!)
[Source: PC Magazine]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stoneman 8:46AM (4/18/2006)
There's too much gadgetry in today's cars, but this is nonsense. With some customized rides having many flip-down LCD's and built-in xbox's, what's the point? I'm sure the only person who really appreciates these things is the thief who is going to break in and grab this good stuff. I guess all this electronic crap is compensating for something missing down there.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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VW-Guy 8:53AM (4/18/2006)
What, no coffeemaker? Not an office I'd want to work in!
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Razib Ahmed 9:07AM (4/18/2006)
Traffic jam is always increasing in almost all the major cities and on the world and the businessman and the busy executives have to spend a lot of time in their cars. So, any gadget that can help to boost their productivity has good future.
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Andrew 9:13AM (4/18/2006)
Homer Simpson already did this. Hold on...I'm getting a fax...
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SaveGas 9:36AM (4/18/2006)
Here is the parts list used...
04.25.06
Glove-Box Shredder
2 ft OF 16-gauge wire $1
1 desktop shredder $15
1 mini roller switch $3
6 double-A batteries $5
Project total $24
Radio/TV Tuner
1 Hauppauge WinTV USB tuner $150
1 UHF/VHF splitter $7
3 RG6 coaxial cables $12
2 ft of 16-gauge wire $1
1 automotive voltage regulator $30
1 Infinity Reference 7541A amplifier $300
4 Infinity Kappa component speakers $340
4 right-angle RCA plugs $6
2 RCA Y-cables $8
4 right-angle RCA plugs $16
Project total $875
Touch-Screen Setup
1 EarthLCD 10-inch touch screen $600
1 small-footprint printed circuit board $2
2 ft of 16-gauge wire $1
3 12-volt, 1-amp voltage regulators $6
3 ft slotted right-angle steel $7
1 mini USB mouse $13
Project total $629
Heads-Up Display
1 Matrix Orbital VFD $100
1 Owl wallet light $10
1 folding pocket mirror $1
1 USB extension cable $15
Project total $126
Armrest Printer
1 HP Deskjet 460 (with 12V adapter) $250
1 box of medium-size rivets $3
2 ft right-angle aluminum $9
1 small sheet of steel $7
3 ft steel flat bar $9
4 SuperLock fastening strips $3
2 ft of 16-gauge wire $1
Project total $282
Sub-Lap Laptop
1 Lenovo ThinkPad T43 (with 12V adapter) $2,200
1 Lenovo Port Replicator II $300
1 box of medium-size rivets $3
1 ft right-angle aluminum $9
1 small sheet steel $7
Project total $2,519
Scanner in the Visor
1 Pentax DSMobile USB scanner $100
1 USB extension cable $15
Project total $115
Bells and Whistles
1 DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-20 $100
1 Gyration GO 24 Optical Air Mouse and Compact Keyboard Suite $120
1 IOGear GUH284R USB hub $30
1 Kyocera KPC650 EV-DO PC Card $360
Project total $610
Grand total $5,180
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Russ 9:41AM (4/18/2006)
I get by with the Cell phone and my T60 with the built in EVDO.
It's great for traffic jams. I bought a PCMCIA GPS card, can get directions and traffic updates, can VPN into clients' servers and can post comments on Engadget; all while cramming a Subway sub before my next appointment.
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Me 12:00PM (4/18/2006)
"Traffic jam is always increasing in almost all the major cities and on the world and the businessman and the busy executives have to spend a lot of time in their cars."
True, but ironically funny.
If one can "work" in their car, why did they leave their house in the first place?
Why not kill two birds with one stone? Make big buses that are mobile internet cafes. That way people can concentrate on their phones, faxes, lattes while not clogging the freeways and endangering people who actually drive.
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christots 12:04PM (4/18/2006)
Dilbert drives an EV-1.
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dave 12:55PM (4/18/2006)
How the F did #7 make it on here? Wake up, Autoblog! As for you, Valentino, we readers invite you to go have sex with yourself.
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Puff Chippy 8:32AM (4/19/2006)
How did we ever survive before being able to work 24x7 out of our office, home and car? People must have been forced to spend time with their children, families and community or some other inefficient waste of time I guess.
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