With the coming of Microsoft Streets & Trips 2010 turning your notebook into a large-screen global positioning system can now be done for less than $100. This GPS software package will cost you $70 including a USB receiver, and thanks to user-friendly interface and a lot of advanced options will make your trip planning easy, so you can relax and drive with confidence.

The only, but very important thing to consider before taking a trip with your laptop GPS system is power capacity. Since a notebook battery only provides a few hours of power,  you might want to get a car charger that plugs into the power port of your vehicle to keep the device running for the whole duration of the drive.

Streets & Trips 2010 alternatives

There are more companies that make map software for laptops and sell the program separately, which is good, if you already have a GPS unit.  Or you can find software packages bundled together with a GPS receiver. For example, Garmin has a Microsoft application, Garmin Mobile PC, that can be purchased for $100 with a USB receiver or for $150 with a Bluetooth receiver.

MS Autoroute 2010 – European version of Streets & Trips 2010

Garmin has announced a new cycling computer which is not only device for performance indicators you expect from a bike computer, but rather a GPS system for your bike. Edge 500 can be connected to your computer via USB cable, what allows you to upload its data to the Garmin’s training website ‘Garmin Connect’.

This cycling GPS computer will retail for $250 in a standalone version and $350 as a model with a heart monitor, speed sensor, barometric altimeter and ANT+ compatibility. Garmin Edge 500 is slightly smaller, than other Edge models: just 1.9″ x 2.7″ x 0.85″ and provides 18 hours of run time per charge.