Sorry Philip, I might be missing a point here, but I was able to buy the
whole of the Landranger mapping on CD for around 170 pounds, expensive yes
but surely not a massive cost? Whereas it would have cost around a thousand
for the full paper set. I know that if I need to update any sections in the
future it could cost me about 40 pounds an area as opposed to £6-50 for one
paper map. I have the whole country on my laptop to access anywhere, any
time, and I can 'drive' the moving map display with my GPS. I can zoom the
maps and choose from three map scales, 50 thou, 250 thou and a 1 million
route planner. I can transfer information to and from my GPS for road
driving or walking.

My Garmin MapScource mapping is loaded directly on to my GPS but is the same
mapping as on my laptop, again with moving map display. I use it for both
long distance driving at smaller scales and for street finding at larger
scales, so it caters for all types of user. Yes I feel that the mapping
does translate across to a laptop, or even the smaller PDA's that are around
now.

All of the above is MY opinion and is based on personal use of both systems

PS I still prefer a real paper map to use.