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Fuzzy Logic Azentek in-car PC, first with Vista but not first in Australia
Fuzzy Logic Azentek in-car PC, first with Vista but not first in Australia | Azentek in-car PC, first with Vista but not first in Australia |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Friday, 24 October 2008 | |
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Page 2 of 4 Given that either in-car PC is a several thousand dollar purchase, I’d go for the Azentek “dual core” model over a single core Via processor despite the higher cost. {mosloadposition alex)However with both likely to be upgraded in late 2009 to an Intel Core i7 processor (if Intel has one suitable for in-car PC motherboards), which makes you wonder if you would simply wait for Core i7 powered models, instead - although you could wait forever for the "next version", and if you did want an in-car PC now or would like to see one in action, you have three different models from two companies to choose from. Both companies are also exploring Intel Atom powered in-car PCs now that the Atom processor is happily powering lots of netbooks, but Atom-powered models are still in the future. Both the Gizmosis Infill G4 and the Azentek CPC-1x00 models do work as advertised today, and allow you to run any Windows software, act as a radio, DVD player, mp3 and video player, web browser, Internet radio, have mobile phone integration via Bluetooth, have WI-Fi, GPS satnav and many other features. Both brands can also connect with your car’s engine computer, letting you do automotive diagnostics and track other details, but only the Azenteks also come with a digital TV tuner, something the Gizmosis lacks as far as I am aware. They’ll also read emails out loud to you, let you respond by voice and use other voice commands for ease of control while driving. The 1.5Ghz single core Via processor isn’t as powered as the dual-core Intel processor in the Azentek, but with the Gizmosis running Windows XP instead of Vista it has enough grunt to do so, whereas Vista runs much more smoothly with a dual-core processor. Gizmosis argue its 1.5GHz processor with 1GB of RAM runs Windows XP happily and has wider software and hardware compatibility, although nothing stops you from loading XP onto an Azentek model. However if you did that it wouldn’t come with the customisations for in-car use unless Azentek supplied it, and they are considering XP models themselves in the future. Also, up until the Azentek’s launched, Gizmosis had the only in-car PC in Australia, and while Gizmosis aren’t willing to share sales figures they say they have plenty of happy in-car PC customers, although that bodes well for Azentek, too. Both Gizmosis and Azentek have customised the Windows experience, offering large icons, large minimise, maximise and close buttons, large “scroll’ sliders and more for a fingertip friendly experience, as well as having a dedicated interface that sits atop Windows for direct access to a range of features, while letting you drop back to the Windows desktop whenever desired. So, what are the other specs of the Azentek in-car PCs and what awards have they won this year, what are the specs of the SmartMirror, and what is an alternative that you can hook up with any phone (like a Nokia N95) that has a video out capability for a simpler, yet similarish in-car PC experience? Please read on to page 3. |
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