KTPhil said:
Does your laptop have a DVD drive? That might make it illegal.
Toyota has the "I Agree" button wherein you legally acknowledge not to drive while distracted. A homebrew laptop arrangement may not give as much liabilty protection. Whether you or I think this is fair, you can bet the other driver and his insurance company will question this after an accident...
The "I Agree" button only helps Toyota's liabilities not yours. It does not remove your responsibility or expmpt you from any laws. Furthermore, most GPS devices designed for the car do not have "I Agree" screens and are interactive while driving.
The ability to play a DVD is not the same as actually playing a DVD. There are a number of DVD players available to fit in the dash of your car. They are installed with ground wires to the parking break which keeps them from working unless the brake is applied. I drive an ambulance for a private company and we have laptops mounted in a similar way. We are a private company and are not exempt from the laws.
The only correct thing you have said is "a TV screen in view of the driver is illegal in most states". You are however allowed to have GPS, Guages, Music selection/Players etc in a digital display. Xenarc and other LCD manufacturers sell PC versions (touchscreen and VGA) of their displays that work in your dash. If these were not legal, then your MFD would also be illegal. Toyota and other manufacturers did not get some special exemption nor are they exempt because of the "I aggree" screen.
Maybe you should take this argument to the
http://www.mp3car.com site which is dedicated to car computers. Tell them it's illegal. Or maybe the many manufactures of products for car computers or GPS including Jotto Desk, Gamber Johnson, Xenarc, Pioneer, Kenwood, Magellan, Garamin, Delorme and others.