But I use my netbook for route planning using Coastal Explorer. I also run it real-time on the nav table and check it when I want a better display and more detailed info than my C-P at the helm provides, including AIS data with real-time CPA (closest point of approach) projections. The C-P is a great enhancer of situational awareness at the helm, especially in the fog or at night with the radar overlay on.

Coastal Explorer is very good software for route planning. Point click. Zoom in to check the route for obstacles screen by screen with the arrow keys. Easy. Next summer I will have a Windows 8 tablet to run that application. Win8 is going to change the game, as it will give me the form factor of a tablet without the limitations of the iPad.