Hi, all. I have my '11 MR on order, and I would like to begin ordering a slew of components for the interior.

I have a strange question, but one that should be answerable by any X owner:

What are the dimensions of the compartment under the armrest? Few pictures really give much show to how large it is, and I am looking to install a small fanless CarPC in there with some other goodies.

If someone could measure and/or take a quick picture of what's actually there for real-estate, that would be awesome.

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On a side note, here's what I've got lined up (provided everything goes well):

Foxconn NetTop, 1.8ghz dual-core atom w/ 4gb ram, 60gb vertex 2 SSD in the center console (provided it fits, a smaller box may be necessary, hence the question)

• Win7 stripped
• Centrafuse
• Evoscan
• 4g USB adapter

Double-din Lilliput w/ HDMI in a Scosche or JDM dash
Carnetix P2140 PSU
5.1 USB sound card in the trunk
Diamond Audio sound equipment

Basically, I want to have the actual CarPC in the center armrest attached to the wall using either the VESA bracket that this small thin-client machine comes with, or Velcro on the passenger-side wall.

I want to conceal the power supply under the cup-holder area or behind the screen, and run HDMI, USB, and power to the machine in the armrest.

The only cables running to the back of the vehicle will be USB or Cat6, and the only ones running forward will be power for the front speakers.

If the center armrest compartment isn't big enough, the glovebox will be the next best choice (albeit not as cool)

 

I can grab some pics/demensions when I get home.

I love carputers. Pics during the build please!

 

dimensions are

4.75" left to right
5.875" front to back
6.5" deep

 

If this is indeed 100% accurate, this really sucks. The NetBox is 7.48" x 5.31" x 0.98".
I would stand it vertically if I could in there.

Looks like the glovebox or something else will be the mounting spot.. Some pictures of the glovebox and center console would be awesome!

If anyone has any better ideas on where to mount this thing, that would be cool too.

I am half tempted to just mount it behind the Lilliput screen and run a USB hub to the center console for extra devices.. It will definitely fit back there from what I have seen, and would be awesomely concealed. It will also provide convenient wiring, shorter USB runs, etc.

The PS2140 outputs 185 watts @ 12v in, 20 v out. The Foxconn Netbox uses 19V, 65W. I'll use it's secondary power rail to output @ 12v for the Lilliput monitor and USB hub. Should be able to safely clear power requirements.

Overall, this thing should be awesome. The Foxconn NetBox is inexpensive, extremely durable, quite small, has onboard wifi, and has a Broadcomm CrystalHD decoder for 1080p video.

 

mwmr you shouldn't have to worry. if you look behind your glovebox, you can store about 5 dead babies back there. plus there is a nice big ol rail you can mount anything to.