ODB-II readings using a laptop

I was looking at ODB readers at the local autoparts store & was thinking it might be worth looking into ODB software for my laptop. Anybody using a laptop to read/clear ODB codes? ODB-II to USB cable & software? Suggestions?

Thanks

I've got an ELM327 (http://www.elmelectronics.com/connect.html) chip (http://www.elmelectronics.com/DSheets/ELM327DS.pdf) to USB Port (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260324081913&viewitem=) on laptop using free software from ScanTool.net works pretty good if all you want is to check and clear codes and already have a laptop on hand!

There's other free software out there, but nothing you can use to completely diagnose and troubleshoot. Software is where the money is... be prepared to spend between $300-1000 or more for good diagnostic software that can read Tranny, ABS and non Generic codes.