I just  picked up a new laptop I'd like to use for navigation but I'm running short on ideas how to mount it. I have a 96 tracker with the newest dash style (aka rounded with dual airbags). I obviously can't block the airbags unless I want my newest toy to become my newest source of decapitation for me or my passenger. Oh, it's a manual too so I need access to the middle console. Any ideas?   :-/

Check Ebay for Touchscreen LCD's. They have a VGA and USB port. Mount the laptop in the rear of the truck with  Jotto then mount the LCD up front. Or you can do what I'm doing...

Install a rear view camera (LCD Input V1) and the PC on VGA/USB, and DVD on LCD V2 Input. Then you can touchscreen the system, MS has a Keyboard on screen to use with the mouse it's under the Accessibility Features. Then mount the LCD screen where the rearview went (legal if used for rear view camera).

Disconnect the bags... horrible things anyway!

thats quite the idea with the touchscreen lcd. I'd like to keep the budget for a little bit though, I blew all my cash on the laptop so I don't forsee any high-tech answers anytime soon. Is it legal in canada to make an passenger airbag disable switch? I have a keyed one that's stock on my Chev W/T pickup. I was thinking maybe a folding arm that stores the puter under the passengerside dash and pulls out infront of the airbag for use. then I could rig the airbag switch to turn off the airbag when the mount is blocking the dash... I'm not sure how to build it yet though
he he

http://www.zukiworld.com/cgi/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=suzuki_talk;action=display;num=1113321229;start=
2nd to last pic on post
Looking for a set up lilke this?

thats how i fixed mine in place.

Do a web search for "jotto" desk for vehicles.  Sold in most police supply or fire supply catalogs.  very versatile and has multiple articulating arms to mount and place the computer where you want.  I have one in my Tahoe and set it up over the passenger seat just above the seat itself.  If the bag popped open it would pass over the computer.  In fact it has done just that on several of our cars that have laptops mounted the same way and been in a crash.  By the way the damage to the lap top is greater from the basic crash impact then from the airbag.  This is from real life experience.  If the computer is in the open position in a crash there will be severe damage at the screen base joint either from the sudden deceleration or from the air bag hitting it.  Pay your money and take your poisen.

If I was doing one in my Tracker I would use the jotto desk and mount it just to the right of the hump in front of the passenger seat so a passenger could still use the seat.
I can slide mine anywhere I want from the center area of the console back over the passenger seat.  It can be raised or lowered.  The Jotto brand desk is really good.  They are available with maney different ways to mount the computer.

Or you could just skip all that jazz and bunjie cord it to the passenger seat!

http://www.zukiworld.com/cgi/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=suzuki_talk;action=display;num=1113321229;start=
2nd to last pic on post
Looking for a set up lilke this?

I did this with a RAM Pod mount.

You silly right-hand-drive people, I tellya!
Yet another reason to wish I had a 91, with that dash!
Let me fix that photo:

awesome!

Mounting it on the dash like that can transmit vibrations into the computer from the dash. If you use that type, I'd make use of some form of shock absorbtion or padding.

Here is one site I googled: LINK

Another option is to look on Police Supply sites. Alot of agencies are using laptops or mobile PCs in thier units. My agency recently went to the Motorola MW520. I bought one off of ebay for $250... it's going into my ZJ. Since the Motorola units are mobile, they have specific brakets. Police supply places such as GALLS carry mounts for laptops. They are also adjustable.

Right now, I have no laptop mount. I have an Averatec laptop with the 12.1" screen and MS Streets 2005 with the USB GPS module. Works great.