Technology a very general ? re: desktops, laptops, tablet pc's, and pda's

[cpb80]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello everyone-
just a brief question...
Starting my first year in Aug. (at UIC- I include the name of the school in case you're familiar w. the curriculum), and I'm deciding btwn, a desktop, laptop, and tablet pc. What do you suggest?

I like the idea of a tablet, but I don't have any experience w. the recognition software. For ex, is it easy to write graphs, diagrams, etc? Also, would getting a tablet eliminate the need to get a pda? Do people wait until clinicals, and residencies to get a pda?

Thanks guys. Much appreciated!

 

[shiraz84]

I would talk to the admissions office and especially 2nd/3rd/4th year students - they would be able to tell you what you need. Some programs require laptops for 1st year (such as OSU). Students at other programs may have little or no need for mobile computing, and would be better suited saving money by getting a desktop.

Tablet PCs would be helpful in taking notes since you can write your notes on them just like a notebook (they make organizing notes much, much easier). However, they are more expensive than most laptops, at least at the moment.

People get PDAs in large part because of their size. Tablet PCs are larger than PDAs, although I have heard of some that are pretty small (e.g. 12.1" screen). If you have/use a PDA or datebook now to keep all of your exams/appointments organized, then you may benefit from having one in med school. However, for people like me who do not write dates down for everything, waiting until 3rd year is probably a better idea. By that time, they will be faster and cheaper. They become essential at that time (from what I have heard) because of the medical software you can get for them.

I hope that helps. 🙂

 

[cpb80]

I would talk to the admissions office and especially 2nd/3rd/4th year students - they would be able to tell you what you need. Some programs require laptops for 1st year (such as OSU). Students at other programs may have little or no need for mobile computing, and would be better suited saving money by getting a desktop.

Tablet PCs would be helpful in taking notes since you can write your notes on them just like a notebook (they make organizing notes much, much easier). However, they are more expensive than most laptops, at least at the moment.

People get PDAs in large part because of their size. Tablet PCs are larger than PDAs, although I have heard of some that are pretty small (e.g. 12.1" screen). If you have/use a PDA or datebook now to keep all of your exams/appointments organized, then you may benefit from having one in med school. However, for people like me who do not write dates down for everything, waiting until 3rd year is probably a better idea. By that time, they will be faster and cheaper. They become essential at that time (from what I have heard) because of the medical software you can get for them.

I hope that helps. 🙂

great advice 👍 Thanks