It doesn’t have four wheels, needs no gasoline, requires little maintenance and you can park it just about anywhere, but a laptop computer could be one of your best “automotive” buys.
With a laptop you can go just about anywhere, and thought it won’t replace the car, it could save you money on your next car purchase.
The laptop has come a long way in features, size and price. A loaded, powerful laptop costs less than $2,000, with many available for around $1,000–less, if you don’t need high-speed techonolgy.
So, what does a laptop have to do with driving or purchasing a car? Among the newest features of some luxury cars is a high-tech navigation system. These cost $2,000 or more as an option. However, if you have a laptop, you can buy navigation software for as little as $150, and it can do a whole lot more than just navigate.
With a modem, you can connect to the Internet world of car buying. There are a number of on-line services that offer the latest pricing information. You also can make quick vehicle comparisons. Using Autosite’s service, for example, you can compare any vehicles side-by-side. With this information, you might save enough on the purchase of your next car to pay for the new laptop.
Ah, but the fun doesn’t stop there. There are easy-to-use, inexpensive programs that can help you plan a vacation or find a street, even an exact address.
TravRoute’s Door-to-Door CoPilot not only tracks your position on an electronic map, but guides you turn-by-turn to any address in the U.S. It even offers voice prompts to help you make those turns, etc. Should you make a mistake, the program will quickly re-route you to your destination. The system uses Global Positioning System technology tied into software that covers the continental U.S. on one compact disk. It sells for about $350 and is available by calling 1-888-872-8768.
TravRoute also produces Door-to-Door ($49.95) to give directions to any address in the U.S. It provides printed directions with every turn documented and a route map. New this year is an Internet GeoBrowser that offers instant access to restaurants, accommodations, weather conditions and construction information.
DeLorme, the Maine mapmaker, offers a variety of products including Tripmate GPSReceiver ($159), which uses a Global Positioning System device with information from DeLorme’s Street Altas USA to show where you are at all times. The screen also displays nearby roads should you wish to take off and do some country exploring.
Other computer products from DeLorme include Simply Streets USA ($19) with street data and details; AAA Map ‘n’ Go ($39), which uses the AAA database of more than 64,000 accommodations, restaurants and points of interest, along with interstate exit information; and Phone Search USA ($29), which has more than 98 million residential and business listings. Call 1-800-452-5931.
Rand McNally offers TripMaker ($24.95), which uses Mobil Guide information on accommodations, restaurants and attractions to help you plan a vacation in North America. Among new features for ’98 are additional routing accuracy and flexibility, searchable detailed city maps, numbered highway exits and a MoneyMinder that searches for hotels and restaurants by price.
Also from Rand McNally is StreetFinder ($24.95), which provides address-to-address directions, including an Internet connection for more help.
Both come in deluxe editions ($44.95 each) with added features and can be bought together for added savings. Call 1-800-671-5006, ext. 854. Most stores selling computer software will have these and other programs.
To use any of these programs all you need is a laptop with a disk and CD drive, a modem, at least 16 MB of RAM and a hard drive with good storage. A connector to plug your laptop into the car’s power system will save battery power.
With Internet access, you can join a forum that covers your make of vehicle so you can keep up with the latest information such as recalls, problems, etc. When it’s time to buy another car, especially a used one, you can plug into Carfax, which will do a vehicle history on your pending purchase.
