Understanding the Different Notebook GPS Setups
April 30, 2009
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In technological news, we would often hear the term GPS and other things related to it. We would hear about fixed in-car GPS navigation systems whenever a new luxury vehicle is launched. It is also not uncommon to find websites promoting portable GPS receivers and Bluetooth-enabled GPS receivers. Seldom, however, do we hear about laptop GPS. And because they rarely hit the news headlines, many would think that there really is no such thing as a laptop Global Positioning System.
But laptop Global Positioning System devices are real! And they do exist. In fact, laptop Global Positioning System devices were among the first few applications developed after the government allowed the public to use the GPS technology. And as to why we hear very little about them nowadays; it’s probably because laptop Global Positioning System is no longer a new technology would cause much buzz. Another reason is that the laptop Global Positioning System is not really a single device but a system made up of at least two components.
Simply put, a laptop Global Positioning System is a system made up of a GPS receiver and a laptop computer. In this setup, it is still the receiver that intercepts the Global Positioning System signals. The interpretation of these signals, however, is relayed by the GPS receiver to the laptop computer through some sort of connection. From the screen of the laptop, users will be able to know their exact location and every other information that the GPS receiver can provide them with.
Now, if you will browse through the various online shops over the Internet, you’ll never be able to locate a product called laptop Global Positioning System. This is because the components in a laptop GPS setup (the laptop computer and the Global Positioning System receiver) are being sold separately. So instead of looking for a laptop GPS, you should rather find a Global Positioning System receiver that is compatible with your laptop computer.
Setting Up a Laptop GPS
To have a laptop GPS navigation system, you’ll need a laptop computer, a Global Positioning System receiver, and a way to let the two components communicate. Now, there are three ways to connect a GPS receiver to your laptop computer. You can do this by using:
· Cables
· CF or PCMCIA card
· Bluetooth
Setting Up a Laptop GPS Using Cables
There are basically two types of cable that may be used to connect a GPS receiver to your laptop computer: a USB cable or a serial cable, depending on the type of port the Global Positioning System receiver has. The advantage of this kind of laptop Global Positioning System connection is that it allows you to place the GPS receiver near the windshield where it has a clear view of the sky. Most of the time, however, the length of the cable would limit the position of the receiver relative to the laptop.
Setting Up a Laptop GPS Using CF or PCMCIA cards
When using CF or PCMCIA cards, you do away with the cables because the receiver would attach directly to an expansion slot in the laptop. But since the receiver would be attached directly to the computer, this set up does not allow you to put the receiver at the most strategic position. Many modern GPS receivers can get around this limitation by including an external antenna with the unit.
Setting Up a Laptop Global Positioning System Using Bluetooth
A laptop GPS setup using a Bluetooth Global Positioning System receiver is probably the most expensive among the three setups. On the positive side, however, it is also the setup that offers the greatest flexibility. Without any wire to limit the receiver’s position, you can mount it anywhere in the vehicle, although placing it near the windshield or the rear window is greatly recommended. It also allows you to mount your laptop where it can offer optimal screen visibility.
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