Use GPS on Your Eee PC

Standalone GPS navigators have come down in price drastically, but if you’ve already got an Eee PC with Windows on it, why shell out more money? The small system from ASUS is the ideal size to ride shotgun and provide turn-by-turn directions and detailed maps.

All it takes to turn your Eee PC into a GPS navigation device is a relatively inexpensive and compact USB-powered GPS receiver and companion mapping software. Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008 ($99.99) is a solid software and receiver option package. However, you can purchase a standalone receiver and download freeware, such as GPS Utility, EasyGPS, and GPS Positioner Smart. Each of these work with various GPS receivers and can be used for mapping routes, sorting waypoints, and filtering GPS data on your or laptop.

Before setting up your Eee PC as a GPS navigator, purchase a DC adapter to keep your Eee PC full of juice. The GPS Positioner Smart ($139) includes the appropriate charging tip for the Eee PC. However, Myincipio.com sells a combined charging package including an AC charger, car charger, and airplane adapter for ASUS Eee PC Series for $39.99.

Follow the steps below to turn your Eee PC into a fully-functional GPS navigator.

Steps:

1. Install Microsoft Streets and Trips 
2. Launch Streets and Trips
3. Enter destination address 
4. Start voice guidance and navigation
5. Use keyboard shortcuts to control full-screen navigation 
6. Mount the notebook in the front seat