What GPS navigation solution is good for me?

I am newbe to GPS but have been watching for deals on some forums looking for a good product that I can get and continue to use for a long time.
I do have a good laptop. I have a vehicle that has the room to accomodate my laptop. There does not seem to be a website that rates these products for reliability. Reliability would include having up to date info for the GPS.
I have read your review of Streets and Trips and I am tempted to go with the Connected version as I suspect that if this is expanded more into Canada, in particular the Calgary and Eastern BC area, it would suit me fine.
I am reluctant to go with a Garmin or Tom Tom etc etc type because they appear to be competing heavily by updating exotic features. Who knows what they will be supporting 5 yrs from now.
I know you are probably reluctant to recommend any individual GPS type but do you think my rationale is on track?

Ed

Ed, if you are concerned about up-to-date map data, and accuracy of map data, in my experience any product based on maps licensed from Navteq is very good. Microsoft Streets and Trips does use Navteq maps. But I would suggest to save yourself money, and not buy the "Connected Services" version at least till Microsoft starts advertizing traffic coverage in your geographical area. The Connected Services version is not even sold in Canada, yet. The coverage is officially available still only in the US, even though recently it started to work in three Canadian cities: Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. But even here in Toronto, only a short segment of only one highway is showing traffic flow information. As of today (Nov. 2007), it would still make no practical sense to use this service in this city. Instead of buying the most expensive version, buy just the software w/GPS receiver version, or buy the software, and then use some other compatible GPS unit with it.

You mentioned Garmin and Tom Tom. They both make excellent products, but they are mostly in the PND (Personal Navigation Devices) business. Tom Tom has no product for laptops at all. The only way to use Tom Tom on a laptop would be to run their PocketPC version on an emulator.

Thanks Marvin.
I've been snooping around the internet and I guess another option would be to purchase a stand alone GPS locator and add some of the free maps that are available on the internet. Apparantly even the Mio maps may be available. This would certainaly reduce my cost but probably require much more maintenance on my part.
Actually the Streets and Trips software and receiver is on sale at a few places here in Calgary. You are right, I have not seen anyone around here offering the connected version.
Can you tell me if Streets and Trips update info as new suburbs are added? It seems like they add a new residential or industrial area to Calgary every week.

Thanks again
Ed

Generally speaking, GPS product developers sell updates annually. It's either in the form of new software which includes new map data, or it is just new map data alone. In the case of Microsoft Streets & Trips it is the former: a new version of the program (including fresher map data) is released around August, September, or October of each year.