Hello Iowans,
Michigan, Alabaman, Texan, Coloradan here.
I use a lap top sitting on a swivel base attached to my console. DW loves it as she can do all her normal computing including E-Mail going down the road. It also has the big screen that makes it very easy for me to see when using Delorme Street Atlas or Topo with the Earthmate GPS.
I use a GPS in my travels as I do not like staying on the main roads and love back street America. I don't care if I'm on rout or not as long as I know where I am. You are never lost when you have a GPS
I also Have a Garmin's hand held I use when hiking or Geocacheing. With the right software it is easy to plot a trip or days outing caching on the lap top and transfer the waypoints to the handheld.
A GPS is functional and fun.
Rick