Looking for tiny components

[Pandamonium]

I want to gut a model of a McLaren F1 about (238.2mm x 101.1mm x 61.9 mm) and put a PC inside it. Since space will be very tight, I was wondering if anyone knows of a motherboard that might fit inside the die-cast model. And perhaps of an optical drive that only accepts 8cm discs?

 

[Utterman]

Maybe try looking into Nano ITX

 

[Pandamonium]

I thought about that already... 120mm is too big to fit inside a gutted chassis though. Is there anything else that might be able to fit? All I need is for it to be bootable and have USB connectivity.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

http://www.soekris.com/ ?

edit: hm, no usb. Maybe you could find a mini pic -> usb card?

 

[nexus09]

Try ripping apart a PDA. I'm not aware of any that have USB, but I don't follow that segment of the market.

Good luck.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey
http://www.soekris.com/ ?

edit: hm, no usb. Maybe you could find a mini pic -> usb card?

There are other SBCs that have USB. Definitely the only way to go in this instance...

 

[dnuggett]

You will want to make sure you have the model body insulated and properly grounded since it is made of metal...

 

[piasabird]

If an ITX motherboard fit into that maybe you can run it off a flash to IDE adapter.

Check out some companies like this:

http://www.commell.com.tw/

I think they are going to releas a new unit with a p4M mobil processor and a flash adapter built on the motherboard. Could run an embedded flash operating system or get a 2.5" laptop hard drive.

 

[piasabird]

The only thing I have seen a really small CD drive on is maybe a small MP3 Player; they must be getting them somewhere.

 

[piasabird]

Phillips sells some slot loading CD drives for laptops.

 

[piasabird]

How about the drive of the future???

Ultra Small 3 CM Blue Laser!

Only problem is you cant buy one.