Need a PDA

[molecularfire]

Ok... I'm at the stage where I need to get a PDA for rotations. If anyone has any suggestions on which PDA's are good and/or if they have any good deals on PDA's, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

[Jeffbx]

What's your budget & what are you going to use it for?

[molecularfire]

Well... I don't really know much about my budget. I'd like to spend as little as possible, but then there is a lot of junk out in the market, and I don't want those, so ideas on which ones give you the most bang for your buck is good. Or... if there are good websites that anyone can suggest... it would really help me with my research. As for what I'm using it for... I'm a third year medical student, and I've been told that they would be very useful for my hospital rotations (basically where we walk around hospitals and pretend to be real doctors). I'll probably want to install stuff like hippocrates, etc... Thanks for any ideas. =:-)

[wung]

I've been looking for a replacement PDA myself, and I read a lot of reviews (mainly on amazon.com). My conclusion so far is: Tungsten T from Palm.

you can read the specs/features and reviews on amazon.com

[shock32638]

Originally posted by molecularfire
Well... I don't really know much about my budget. I'd like to spend as little as possible, but then there is a lot of junk out in the market, and I don't want those, so ideas on which ones give you the most bang for your buck is good. Or... if there are good websites that anyone can suggest... it would really help me with my research. As for what I'm using it for... I'm a third year medical student, and I've been told that they would be very useful for my hospital rotations (basically where we walk around hospitals and pretend to be real doctors). I'll probably want to install stuff like hippocrates, etc... Thanks for any ideas. =:-)

This Link (http://www.pdr.net/articles/article1.jsp) might be interesting and usefull for you.

You have 2 (basic) choices
PalmOS Based
Microsoft pocketPC based

I personally recommend the PalmOS, and in Black and White for people who are unsure,
1. Battery life, a recharge on a pocketPC with some use can last a shockingly short amount of time, same with a color palm, however b/w palms last a LOT longer, and use just AAA batteries (most cases)
2. ease of use, you can't bring up microsoft word to edit your favorite document, or excel to modify a spreadsheet as easily with Palm, but from what it sounds you'd be more interested in a copy of the PDR on there than hacking a spreadsheet.
3. Palms are cheaper.

I don't know what products are available between the big PalmOS mfrs (Palm, and Handspring), but they're pretty much the same as far as features go. I'd also recommend if you're wanting to get off cheap look at getting a discontinued Palm model (like a palm V or something, they'll be a lot cheaper, but still be able to handle most anything a casual user will need, plus if you want to upgrade later you'll have a better Idea what you want)

Cheers

[molecularfire]

Cool. Thanks shock. The link was very useful. Right now, I'm looking at the Dell PDA's. They seem to be priced ok, and seem to have some power. However, one thing bothers me about them. The first one was that they only have 32-48 megs. of ROM. How important is ROM... I mean... how large are the palm programs anyways? 48 does seem to me to be a tiny amount. Anyways... I was looking on G|A and they have links to cheaper flash card memory. Can I use those i.e. are there different types of flash card memory? Do I need to use Dell memory for Dell PDA's or are all flash card memories built equally? Thanks.

[Jeffbx]

Yeah, your first decision is which platform to use. Your best bet is to check with other docs in your hospital to see what they use... there are certain apps that may only be available on one or the other platform.

If there's no strong preference at the hospital & you're not limited by the software, I would recommend a PocketPC over a Palm any day of the week (IMHO, of course). Battery life is not as much of a concern as it used to be... you can get a good week or so of pretty heavy use out of the PPC before you have to recharge it, and some models offer larger capacity batteries if you find yourself running low.

Cost is still a slight consideration, with the cheapest Palm going for about $99, and the entry level PPC going for $179. However, that entry level PPC gets you a ton more options that the cheap Palm:

- full color screen
- compact flash & secure digital card slots
- stereo headphone jacks for MP3 playback
- full motion video support
- faster processor (300MHz vs 20MHz)
- more standard RAM (32MB vs 2MB)
- optional wireless support
- edit Word & Excel files on the device

You can match many of these specs with one of the higher end Palms, but then you're up in the $400-500 range. I'd recommend the low end PPC (Dell Axim) to start with.

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by molecularfire
Cool. Thanks shock. The link was very useful. Right now, I'm looking at the Dell PDA's. They seem to be priced ok, and seem to have some power. However, one thing bothers me about them. The first one was that they only have 32-48 megs. of ROM. How important is ROM... I mean... how large are the palm programs anyways? 48 does seem to me to be a tiny amount. Anyways... I was looking on G|A and they have links to cheaper flash card memory. Can I use those i.e. are there different types of flash card memory? Do I need to use Dell memory for Dell PDA's or are all flash card memories built equally? Thanks.

Heh, I think I was responding at the same time you did.

The 32-48MB ROM is for the OS only. This is pretty standard among PPCs. On top of that is 32-64MB of RAM, which is used to store programs & data files. On top of THAT are the card slots where you can put in as much RAM as you can afford. Both slots on the Axim are standard slots, so you can buy the cards anywhere. The secure digital can go up to 512MB, I think, and CF up to several GB (or CF can also be used for a modem, wireless card, GPS, etc.)

The files & programs don't take a lot of room at all - most Palm platforms operate with 2-8MB of RAM total.

[molecularfire]

But doesn't RAM clear itself when you turn off the system? If it does, then anything not stored in ROM (i.e. programs) will get deleted... or am I misinformed?

[JLemonjello]

I am a medical student and I use the low end Dell Axim and it is a Godsend. The pocketpc interface is a dream and I can use tasks and appts and keep everything perfectly organized and where I should be and such. The price is also right and the battery lasts FOREVER and it charges quickly. The only downsize is it is a big larger than other PDA's but it fits into all pockets and such so I dont see that as a drawback in my experience. I cannot recommend this product enough.

[molecularfire]

Cool. Thanks for the info. I've seen the dell PDA, and the size is not going to be a problem for me either. However, I do have one question. Did you upgrade the memory or are you using it as is? From the specs. on their website, they said that it has 32 MB ram and 48 MB rom... is that enough? Did you buy any extra memory? Thanks.

[Thesifer]

I have a Dell Axim.. 400 Mhz.. I bought a 256mb Secure Digital Card.. and 2 Compact Flash 256 MB Cards.. ( just cause im a memory Freak ) :)... And.. no the memory stored.. wont go away.. not like a computer... But your best bet is to get like.. a 128mb or more SD card.. for Programs and such.. and then if you Get Compact Flash.. use it for Anything Extra ( Txt Files.. pictures etc etc) .. so then if you decide to get any CF Expansions.. you can still use your programs.. Like a Camera for example.. would take up the CF Card slot..

[molecularfire]

Cool. Thanks for the info. I got the 400 Mhz from Dell and a 256 MB compact flash card also (as per the instructions on the deals page). Worked out great, only had to pay $300 for both together. Uhh... one more question... does anyone who bought the Dell PDA's know if I should buy the case for the PDA, or is it sturdy enough without it. Thanks.

[Thesifer]

Case if you Dont want to get it Scratched Etc.. Nice to have.. Or just get a Leather case.. to .. Keep it in... Or .. if you really want to Look "COOL" .. get the Belt Clipon Case for it :)

[molecularfire]

Cool. In that case, I think I'll hold off on getting the case till I have sufficient funds for it. I'll just get something dirt cheap to put it in. Thanks. :)

[JLemonjello]

mine came with some case.... nothing special. this sounds stupid but what works PERFECTLY for me is a sunglasses case from American Eagle (little cloth thing) its made for glass type surfaces so it wont scratch, it fits over perfect, adds like no size, and i tote it around in my pocket with no worries when its in there.