Abstract: A personal onboard information system for use in a vehicle. The system includes a portable, personal computer including a touch-responsive screen and a cradle mounted on the vehicle for detachably receiving the computer. The computer is programmed to generate characters of preset size on a display on the screen. The cradle has a lamp for illuminating the computer screen and a power supply for supplying the computer with power when the computer is in the cradle. The system further includes an interface communicating with the computer for formatting the display for use of the computer in the vehicle when the computer is in the cradle. The interface is resident in the computer or in the cradle and causes the display to display characters relatively larger than the characters of preset size so that the characters can be easily viewed by a passenger thereby facilitating use of the computer in the vehicle.