Anyone buying a PDA

[X]

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Well there is a "anyone buying a computer," so just wondering if anyone was buying a PDA.
What are some good ones (I have used the visor in the past, but it started draining batteries - a common problem with those things after a while) + I think something more sophisticated would be better. Any ideas.

X

 

[XCanadianRagwee]

Dude-

Do a search forum search...You'll find all the info you could ever want...

 

[Chronotropic]

I have a Sony Clie and it's great. I use it to view power point presentations and slides from class. I'm going to order the keyboard pretty soon so I can work on office and take notes during class.

Clie's have very nice screens which is ultimately why I choose it over other models. The units also feel very sturdy.

 

[An Yong]

Are you interested in only PDAs? If not, I would recommend the PocketPC, its much more versatile than a PDA and is normally just a slight bit bigger/heavier. Three notable ones are the iPaq 3750, 5455, and the Toshiba E70. The toshiba and the Ipaq 5455 have built in 802.11b so if you have a wireless network around the campus (almost every school has one), you can connect to the internet and do almost anything a pc can do (its really handy). The ipaq 3750 requires a seperate wireless card if you want internet on the go.

 

[Chronotropic]

The problem with pocket pcs is that most medical reference programs are for Palm OS.

 

[tgan]

I heard that a majority of pda med references are now available for the win ce / pocket pc... if one is looking for a drug reference for example...epocrates may not be available for the ppc, but there are several other programs that will substitute for epocrates that are just as good. Any current med students have any opinions?

 

[buggy]

I have (or had) a pocketPC (the toshiba one). It's just like a mini computer, with all the office software (pocket version) on it. You can also use it as a mp3 player. It has the infrared port, so I can use it in wireless networks. It's colorful and bright, has more potential than a PDA. I liked it very much, but my loved one has grabbed it from me and used it for a while... 🙁 😉

There are also some PDA phones, if you want them all in one. Check those electronics websites, compare them carefully before you get one!

 

[X]

Ok couple other questions


How many med students take notes using either a laptop or some kind of handheld? and is it really the same taking notes with a PDA as it is with a laptop. I haven't ever done this, but it seems it would be very difficult with the little screen.

Does anyone know if USC recommends a certain type of PDA for their students?

And can someone explain what pocket pc's can do, what makes them worth buying?


Thanks

X

 

[tms]

i, too, have a sony clie. i think that it is a versatile piece of equipment. it doubles as a mp3, camera. it has an infrared port as well.

as far as software, epocrates is available for pocket pc. i think most software will follow suit soon. if i were to buy one for fall, i would problably chose pocket pc due to web availability via wireless or cell phone.

and how does one effectively take notes on any pda? are these just quick notes to one's self or are we talking lecture notes?

 

[An Yong]

You can always buy a keyboard for your pda/pocketPC. I know the iPaq has a really nifty one that when closed up is about 1.5x bigger than the pocketPC but opens up to be a full sized keyboard.

 

[Yogi Bear]

from my understanding, a pocket pc is also considered as a personal data assistant. it's not only the palm-based machines. 😀

honestly though, i personally wouldn't spend $200 on a palm. they're friggin slow, overpriced, don't have much memory, and are like the macs of the computer world--looks cool, but don't have much power. however, i believe that spending less than $100 of a palm+keyboard is a great purchase. if u're looking into taking notes w/ a palm and don't want to lug around a laptop, i suggest going to www.returnbuy.com or www.ebaystores.com/returnbuy nad getting a refurbished one m105. u can also pick up a folding keyboard off of ebay. those two will let you take notes fine in class--all for around $80. the m105 has a small b/w screen but it can run most programs like epocrates, avantgo, etc.

if u believe that you'll be heavily dependent on a pda, then go w/ the flow and get the latest pocket pc. dell axims w/ a 400 mhz processor run last low as $225 if u get the right coupons/check website frequently. a similar palm would cost like $300-400. Concerned about medical software? epocrates will be coming out w/ a pocket pc version. unfortunatley, u'll have to pay $50 for that. the great thing about axims is they us compact flash memory card--a heck more space and cheaper than SD cards. i.e. u can get 256mb for like $50, even as low as $30 after rebates. a 1gb card costs around $200. w/ the cf cards, u can store like 200 mp3's all all the programs u'd ever need.

Hail Micro$oft!!!! 😀

 

[X]

Can that even really be used as an mp3 player - how's the sound on it. I wonder if it would be better to pick up the sony minidisc, which is what I was thinking.

Is the pocket pc worth paying more for - can it do that much more than a PDA??? The dell thing is about $225 - for a 32MB and no wireless card. A simple PDA can be purchased for around $100.


X

 

[Chronotropic]

It depends what you plan on doing with it. If all you plan to do is edit word files and use other "basic" programs then it is probably not worth spending the extra money for a pocket pc.

Check out this page URL=http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/tips/palm_vs_pocketpc.htm]http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/tips/palm_vs_pocketpc.htm[/URL]

 

[dtreese]

I used to take notes in class w/my Palm IIIx and my TRGPro. It's great for some classes, not so good for others. For example, it worked well for physiology, but was useless in biochem.

Here's my nerdy wet dream (well not really, but it's cool as hell):

http://www.bestbuy.com/Detail.asp?m=488&cat=494&scat=495&e=11188589

ah, to have buckets of money.

 

[Yogi Bear]

Originally posted by X
Can that even really be used as an mp3 player - how's the sound on it. I wonder if it would be better to pick up the sony minidisc, which is what I was thinking.

Is the pocket pc worth paying more for - can it do that much more than a PDA??? The dell thing is about $225 - for a 32MB and no wireless card. A simple PDA can be purchased for around $100.


X

w/ pocket pc as well as high-end palms, there are audio outputs. i haven't actually tried one but my friends say quality is good. if the sony minidisc is like $200, seriously consider the dell axim. by spending $225 + another $50 for a 256 mb cf card, you're looking at like 50 mp3 songs to listen to.

 

[Yogi Bear]

Originally posted by Yogi Bear
w/ pocket pc as well as high-end palms, there are audio outputs. i haven't actually tried one but my friends say quality is good. if the sony minidisc is like $200, seriously consider the dell axim. by spending $225 + another $50 for a 256 mb cf card, you're looking at like 50 mp3 songs to listen to.

btw, there's no taxes and free shipping at dell home.