PDA selection

[liverotcod]

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Which one? Reasons if you feel like typing.

 

[Gut Shot]

I got a PDA for M3 year and it was a waste of my time. I should've spent the money on a print Tarascon Pharmacopeoeia, a memo pad and three bottles of bourbon. One of my classmates used his solely for Tetris.

Other people liked them, though. At the very least I wish I'd waited a few weeks into the year before deciding whether or not to purchase.

 

[liverotcod]

One of my classmates used his solely for Tetris.

I hear you. I'm pretty happy with just my laptop, but we're required to have a PDA starting second year to record patient contacts. Plus, most attendings I interact with use them as well, so it seems like a good idea to get used to it.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with a little Tetris. I can stop anytime I want, really 😎

 

[AStudent]

Unless you're specifically required by your medical school to get one (like me 😡 ) then either save your money or put it towards a nice laptop and with a wireless card.

FTR, I have a Dell Axim X50v and it's wonderful for what I need it for. If you do end up having to buy one I strongly recommend getting a memory upgrade because even a program like Stedman's medical dictionary are too large for the computer (which may only have <100-200Mb ram). For comparision:


Dell Axim x50v: 64Mb Random access memory, 128Mb Read only memory, $400
Laptop: 1000Mb Random access memory, $1000

do the math, it's more cost-effective to buy a laptop

400/200 =2:1 price to Ram ratio
1000/1000 = 1:1 Ram to price ratio

 

[liverotcod]

Bump. Any more input on PDA selection? So far, the results aren't exactly a mandate. What others should I consider? The LifeDrive? A Windows device?

 

[unoriginal]

Bump. Any more input on PDA selection? So far, the results aren't exactly a mandate. What others should I consider? The LifeDrive? A Windows device?

i have an axim x51v. i really like it and it is what i would recommend. i have all kinds of programs for it that all work well. i am just a first year so i mainly use it for games and internet right now (when i am not carrying laptop). The axim is what type that was recommended by my school. I'm not familiar with palm.

i would recommend asking your school or m3/4/residents at your school what they recommend. one other thing you might want to take into consideration is that the technology for pda's is changing really fast right now. if you buy now, it will most likely be outdated within 1-2yrs.

 

[Dr Alo]

I have a nice write up on PDAs, which ones to get and what programs you need.
http://www.thealo.com/maloblog/index.asp?ci=16&s=category

Enjoy!!

 

[C.P. Jones]

pda's can also be cell phones nowadays...right? b/c i think that's true, in which case i'd just get a cell phone/pda.......i also believe they make them so you can somehow turn the phone part off and have the pda on so you can have them on in hospitals

also, since i obviously know nothing about pda's.....is a blackberry a pda? if not, what is it? i know someone here who can answer that!

 

[deuist]

is a blackberry a pda?

It's a liability now. That company is going bankrupt after the lawsuit.

 

[Mikhail]

Which one? Reasons if you feel like typing.

TREO 650

You don't need to carry 2 devices. TREO is both a phone and a PDA. You can install any programs, use as a blackberry, browse the Internet, listen to mp3, etc.
Some people prefer Pocket PC. There are a few good devices. Check this website out:
http://www.imate.com/t-devicedetails.aspx
You can also check Dell PPC out, they are cheap and work 🙂
Hope it helps.

Mikhail

 

[pillowhead]

TREO 650

You don't need to carry 2 devices. TREO is both a phone and a PDA. You can install any programs, use as a blackberry, browse the Internet, listen to mp3, etc.
Some people prefer Pocket PC. There are a few good devices. Check this website out:
http://www.imate.com/t-devicedetails.aspx
You can also check Dell PPC out, they are cheap and work 🙂
Hope it helps.

Mikhail

Treos look great but they are very expensive, especially if you already have a good cell phone and service contract. Also, the problem with using one device as your cell phone, PDA, and, mp3 player is that if that one device breaks (and Palm stuff isn't the most sturdy or reliable in the world), then everything goes down. I personally bought a Tungsten E and love it. Can't be without it for 3rd year. Check out the palm store online and look in their factory outlet section. Mine was "slightly blemished" and I really couldn't find anything wrong with it. They also selll "open-box" which are still a little bit cheaper but are in absolutely perfect condition. The online store also frequently has promotions like free memory cards.