Laptop GPS

"Compute your Destination"

Introduction

Mobility being the keyword in today’s fast-paced life, the only other thing that compliments it well other than cellular phones is a laptop. And the more the merrier, if merrier translates to a handheld GPS receiver. A combination of both perhaps makes the best sense especially when you are in an automobile; while the large screen of the laptop provides for great viewing of the GPS maps, it also provides an ideal platform for utilizing the Street atlas and Topo map software to the maximum extent.

GPS Hardware

There are a plethora of GPS systems that have currently infested the showcases; from Garmin to Magellan to NAVMAN, the list is quite long. These systems include a receiver with mobile GPS direction and mapping capabilities and connect through the USB port of a laptop.

Travel Software

Though the GPS systems come with inbuilt software, but additional software must be loaded to a laptop for enabling certain features that make locating specific destinations easy. Depending on user requirements, the software can be personalized by feeding up-to-date information on all major as well as smaller locations; these software also allow updates from the Internet free of cost.

Installing GPS in a Laptop

Installation of GPS software is the same for most of the GPS models; all that one needs to do is to install the software and plug-in the GPS receiver through the USB port. Windows XP supports all Plug and Play hardware, therefore, it is recommended that the laptop runs on XP.

Configuring Power Options

A laptop needs the batteries to run and especially so while on a move. Thus power saving schemes are vital and must be embarked upon immediately after the GPS configuration is completed. The optimal settings for the laptop can be done as follows:

• Configuring battery alarm:
  • Go from Start to Control Panel and then to Performance and Maintenance, and then to Power Options.
  • Specify the settings by clicking on the Alarms tab, which has the two options Low battery alarm and Critical battery alarm.
  • Select the type of alarm notification and power level.
• Configuring Power Schemes:
  • Go to Start and then to Control Panel. Open Performance and Maintenance, and then open Power Options to go to Power Schemes.
  • Adjust the Turn off monitor, Turn off hard disks, System standby and System hibernates as per the requirements.
  • Save the settings with an easily distinguishable name.
  • Click OK.