If you are considering the purchase of a portable GPS navigator, you'll want to spend a bit of time learning about them first. The first question in your mind may be "What is Windows CE?",

There are probably not many people alive, other than Tibetan monks, who have not heard of Bill Gates, and his invention that has revolutionized the way humans are now interacting with their computers, and with other people via their computers.

Windows is the main computer operating system in use today, and there are many different products in which this system is used. As a matter of fact, most GPS navigators use Windows CE.

Utilizing Windows CE to control a GPS navigator is one example of what may be described as using an operating system in what is called "minimalistic computers and embedded systems".

This sounds a bit like an effort to prevent our takeover by a computer like the evil unit from the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey", doesn't it?

What it actually means is that this operating system from Microsoft is quite different from the more commonplace or traditional Windows operating systems that we are more familiar with, from our computer use.

To put it simply, Windows CE works better in systems with less memory space than what is available in even the most basic of computers. In fact, this OS can run with less than one megabyte of memory, from a processor chip embedded in a device like a cell phone or a portable GPS navigator. Both of these devices have a memory that is limited in size.

Windows CE also doesn't use a storage system on a hard disc drive, like the more familiar Windows operating systems we are accustomed to dealing with, in computers. It's especially convenient in portable GPS navigators, so that it can perform its functions with ease.

CE is able to organize and prioritize, all with very little memory usage, which frees up more memory for the navigator itself. This helps to minimize spillover interference from other functions being run on your portable GPS navigator, so that they don't interfere with your navigation.

There are various Windows CE operating systems, and they are designed for use in different types of devices. This is mainly because each device has its own needs in terms of what minimalistic version will work best, if you are using a pocket PC, which needs a more formal operating system than does a portable GPS navigator. GPS uses a more bare bones system that simply allows you to interface with the unit.

When you turn on your portable GPS navigator, you will see in the display the Windows CE OS that is working within it. You can obtain information about which operating system is working by checking the main menu's graphic user interface to see the operating system listed.

Portable GPS navigators are excellent and useful devices that are becoming less expensive, and which can be handily used on many boats, as well as in vehicles on the road. If you're into high-tech devices, you will want to get your hands on a portable GPS navigator, since it is a helpful unit, no matter where you are.