I agree that pocket pc's are probably better then pda's now. However, there is no skyscape crack available for pocket pc's. So if you're the techy type person that will put the time in to figure out how to follow basic steps in a tutorial for cracking the skyscape programs, pda's are the way to go. Otherwise, have fun using crappy free software or paying 80 bucks for every good program. Meanwhile my pda has A2Zdrugs (blows epocrates away), MedTests, HbDxTests, WU Int serv guide, Wash man 3.1, med recall, surg recall, usmle 1 secrets, usmle 2 secrets, 5 minute clincal consult, 5 min id consult, ferri guide, IM on Call, and steadman's complete med dictionary all for FREE. Plus, everytime you do a rotation you can download the skyscape programs specific to that rotation that you'd never buy otherwise. For example, on my last obgyn rotation I downloaded obgyn recall, JHUObgyn, Pocket Obgyn, and Wash U Obgyn.
As soon as I stop taking out huge loans and get an income next year I'll stop hacking and buy the most useful programs (STEADMANS, a2zdrugs, and 5mcc). Plus I'll probably also buy a couple other programs specific to my specialty. But as students, I don't think it's that morally wrong to not pay for downloaded programs, especially if you're only going to be needing them for 4 weeks during your rotation.