Laptop GPS World

OverlandResource.com today published an interesting article titled Laptop and GPS Combination versus a Handheld GPS. It has always interested me to read the reasons why people prefer a laptop solution vs a small portable GPS all-in-one unit. For me personally it is the ability to do everything much faster on a computer than on a PND. It also is the ability to run variety of other programs, not just the GPS. What are your reasons for favoring a laptop, TabletPC, or a UMPC?

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Marvin Hlavac

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I would prefer a PND to a laptop if I was walking or biking but in a vehicle, since I already have the laptop, due to the maturity of laptop map software there is no advantage to using a handheld. Also the licence fee for updated maps for a PND is probably more expensive than for a newer version of your laptop sofware which not only includes new maps, but new functions. With the PND if you want new functions you have to buy a new device, probably a top end device that is very expensive. For that same reason, even using a PPC or UMPC would be a better solution as it would run your map software and be all the other things a PND is not but I suppose battery life would still be better in a PND.

I realize this is an old thread, but here is my $.02 worth anyway.

I prefer a laptop and GPS since I use it in the motorhome and there are two of us, one is the navigator. Its large, easy to see, and usefull for other things after we have finished driving for the day, email, trip planning, or just playing solitare. If I was travelling alone I think a small self contained GPS would be easier to use. Certainly for geocaching a hand held GPS is the way to go.

I've read the article, this is how I (and him) see it.

Map Availability - Laptop 1 / Handheld 0
we all know (as mentioned above) that it's easier to upgrade a laptop

Reliability and Durability - Laptop 1 / Handheld 1
This is an unknown since both units will suffer damage to a certain degree and in a laptop you most likely lose the HD which is cheaper to replace then a whole henheld unit. but I'll give this point to the handheld.

Cables, Cables, and Cables - Laptop 2 / Handheld 2
Do the setup properly, use a docking station and it's nicer and cleaner then having a stupid suction cup mounted unit and a constant spit stain on your windshield 1 point each

Other Perks - Laptop 3 / Handheld 2
Need I start counting...Game over...

Summary - Laptop wins

Hmmm...Did I mention I have a laptop in my car...

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