I'm not too sure how long your hard drive, which I imagine would be doing a fair bit of reading to keep up with mapping requirements, would put up with doing so whilst being subjected to the constant shocks, movement and vibrations in your car either.
I've been looking at this myself and will probably go down the PDA route (pardon the pun) suggested by Conan. I'm thinking I can have GPS sat-nav, the ability to run an Excel (or similar) client database, GPRS via bluetooth internet access for my laptop when needed and handsfree GSM phone functionality all in one unit.
There's a PDA available that does all this which I'd have already purchased if it didn't lack wi-fi. As soon as there is one with GPS, GSM, bluetooth
and wi-fi all built in, thus avoiding the need for plug in cards and external receivers, I shall be ordering one. That way I really will be able to leave the laptop at home.
