Garmin MapSource is a program for your computer designed to work with Garmin maps on the Garmin GPS unit. While your netbook is most likely to meet the system requirements to run MapSource, you will need some additional hardware, as MapSource is only available with Garmin CD or DVD. So, if you can manage all this, then you can easily run Garmin MapSource on your netbook. If you want to know the steps for the same, then you can go through the steps in the following sections.
Garmin MapSource
MapSource is included with Garmin maps purchased on CD or DVD. It does not come with maps downloaded online or purchased on a flash memory card. Ideal for Garmin devices that do not support expanded media, MapSource can be used to transfer maps and routes to your Garmin GPS. You can create and edit routes and maps on your computer, making it easier to design a more complex route. Not all Garmin GPS units are compatible with MapSource.
Compatibility netbook
You will need an optical drive - either CD or DVD, depending on your map disc - to get MapSource on a netbook. Netbooks do not come with internal optical drives so they can remain small and light. However, you can connect an external optical drive through USB maps and access that mode. MapSource is only available for Windows XP or higher. If you have a netbook running Linux or OS X, you will not be able to use MapSource. Your netbook otherwise should have enough system resources to run MapSource. The program requires only 32 MB of RAM and 300 MB of free hard disk space.
MapSource Obtaining
MapSource will come with any CD or DVD that contains a Garmin map. You can also download garmin updates and patches for MapSource on the Garmin website, but that will work only if you already have MapSource installed on your computer. When a map disc is inserted into the external optical drive, the installation utility starts automatically.
Alternatives
You may not need MapSource. Garmin offers a product called Travel and Waypoint Manager, which also allows you to trace your various trips and load them on the compatible Garmin device. It provides a map of the world in general, but no more detailed maps. You can buy on the Garmin website and it arrives in CD-ROM format, so you still need an external optical drive to use it. It only works on Windows computers and requires 512 MB of RAM and a pixel screen resolution of 1024 x 768, so the tread with caution with your netbook, since some netbooks go up to only 1,024 x 600.
If you are still not able to run Garmin MapSource on your netbook, then you can take help from Garmin support facility because they are the best people to assist you with this complex procedure in the most accurate way. So, make sure to give a call to an experienced support facility.
