The Latest in Laptop Computer GPS

DeLorme – a company that made its name in paper maps but has moved into digital in a big way – offers a laptop-compatible GPS receiver and accompanying Street Atlas USA 2010 mapping software.

DeLorme has made major improvements in its new receiver and software. The Earthmate GPS LT-40 (plugs into laptop via USB cable) features a high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, and the Street Atlas USA 2010 software has an abundance of upgraded and updated information, and a sharp new interface. Highlights of the interface (shown in photo) include a "cockpit view" of airplane-inspired navigation cues, and a wide, 3D perspective of your route. The 2010 edition also features an E-Z Nav Wizard, and navigate-from-search results.

You can leave the USB cable behind when you use the Garmin Mobile 10 for laptops. The Mobile 10 is a high-senstivity GPS receiver that connects to your laptop via wireless Bluetooth technology.

When you purchase the Mobile 10 package, you also receive a DVD with Garmin City Navigator NT street maps and Garmin Mobile PC software, along with a detailed points of interest database. Address lookup, text-to-speech turn-by-turn directions, saved routes, and automatic off-route calculation will get you to your destination. The laptop interface is similar to Garmin's easy-to-use car GPS menu system, with simple "Where To" and "View Maps" options on the opening screen. Check gas prices and more when you connect to Garmin Online.

The Garmin Mobile 20 GPS and software package is the same as the Mobile 10, above, except that it uses a lower-cost USB cable-connected GPS reciever, instead of the Mobile 10's wireless Bluetooth GPS.

When you purchase the Mobile 20 package, you also receive a DVD with Garmin City Navigator NT street maps and Garmin Mobile PC software, along with a detailed points of interest database. Address lookup, text-to-speech turn-by-turn directions, saved routes, and automatic off-route calculation will get you to your destination. The laptop interface is similar to Garmin's easy-to-use car GPS menu system, with simple "Where To" and "View Maps" options on the opening screen. Check gas prices and more when you connect to Garmin Online.

Microsoft's Streets & Trips 2010 is available with a USB-compatible GPS receiver, or without a receiver, in case you want to use another brand. The package comes with software that includes automatic re-routing, a perspective map to simulate what you see ahead of you on the road, day-night backlight modes, voice-prompted directions, auto-zoom to give you a better view of your next turn, and a large database of points of interest. The USB GPS receiver is new for the 2010 version, as well as GPX support, and improved route pre-planning features. Additional features include: text-to-speech directions; a GPS task pane that includes speed, altitude, coordinates and travel direction.