PDA vs. Laptop

[fun8stuff]

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I have the choice of getting a PDA or laptop. The school I am going recommends a PDA for MS1&2, and requires one for 3rd & 4th year students. I just got a new desktop about 10 months ago (as a gift). Now, my parents are willing to help me out toward a laptop or PDA.

Which do you think would be better?

PDA (dell axim x50v)pros:
-More portable, More light-weight, fits in your pocket
-Word Processing, excel, powerpoint
-Wireless access to email, web browsing, etc
-Plays most electronic media
-Can be used as planner
*Pretty much does everything a laptop does.

PDA Cons:
-Not as powerful
-Not as much memory
-Smaller Screen
-Can't view all webpages?

I am leaning toward a PDA because of those Pros and because I have a desktop that does pretty much everything, but having never owned a PDA, I am not sure that I have realisitc expectations. I am not sure I need an actual laptop.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I have the choice of getting a PDA or laptop. The school I am going recommends a PDA for MS1&2, and requires one for 3rd & 4th year students. I just got a new desktop about 10 months ago (as a gift). Now, my parents are willing to help me out toward a laptop or PDA.

Which do you think would be better?

PDA (dell axim x50v)pros:
-More portable, More light-weight, fits in your pocket
-Word Processing, excel, powerpoint
-Wireless access to email, web browsing, etc
-Plays most electronic media
-Can be used as planner
*Pretty much does everything a laptop does.

PDA Cons:
-Not as powerful
-Not as much memory
-Smaller Screen
-Can't view all webpages?

I am leaning toward a PDA because of those Pros and because I have a desktop that does pretty much everything, but having never owned a PDA, I am not sure that I have realisitc expectations. I am not sure I need an actual laptop.

You cannot compare PDA's and laptops. PDA's are simply a glorified organizer. It is also expensive to get internet, and the technology is VERY limited.

Most people bring laptops to class and use them daily on campus. It is almost a neccessity at medical school.

I have a PDA, and it has been collecting dust in my apartment, since day 1 of medical school.

 

[doc05]

a PDA is of very limited usefulness for ms1/ms2 years. wait until ms3 to get one; by then prices will be a little better and technology much improved.

 

[synapse lapse]

Yeah, apples and oranges. If your parents are buying, get a laptop and wait till ms3 as the other med students said to get a better pda at a better price.

 

[Ruban]

Agreed. Get a laptop now. PDAs aren't that useful 'til MS3-4

Yeah, apples and oranges. If your parents are buying, get a laptop and wait till ms3 as the other med students said to get a better pda at a better price.

 

[45408]

You're giving PDAs entirely too much credit. The web-surfing is very limited at best, and you'd never write a paper on it. I use my laptop to no end. The PDA is good as a scheduler, MP3 player, small photo album, time killer (the games are addicting), and a few other knick-knacks. Laptops are more expensive, so have you parents help with that. 😛

 

[pratik7]

You're giving PDAs entirely too much credit. The web-surfing is very limited at best, and you'd never write a paper on it. I use my laptop to no end. The PDA is good as a scheduler, MP3 player, small photo album, time killer (the games are addicting), and a few other knick-knacks. Laptops are more expensive, so have you parents help with that. 😛

It really depends what you want to do with the portability. If you wanna to be able to type papers on it and use large applications...you need a laptop. If you wanna have something that you can carry with you to class or a coffee shop to keep you entertained and maybe look at some ppt note, I think the PDA will suffice. If you have a desktop to handle most of your processing needs...the PDA might be what you are looking for.

 

[OSUdoc08]

It really depends what you want to do with the portability. If you wanna to be able to type papers on it and use large applications...you need a laptop. If you wanna have something that you can carry with you to class or a coffee shop to keep you entertained and maybe look at some ppt note, I think the PDA will suffice. If you have a desktop to handle most of your processing needs...the PDA might be what you are looking for.

ppt's really aren't that easy to view on PDA's; nor are documents in general

i find it silly when people try to read books on them

 

[Blade28]

PDAs are much more useful during third year, when you need to constantly look up meds, pearls, etc.

 

[OSUdoc08]

PDAs are much more useful during third year, when you need to constantly look up meds, pearls, etc.

Yup, and the technology is changing too much to get one now. It will be by far out of date when you enter your 3rd year.

 

[anamarylee]

I recomend getting the most portable notebook computer you can afford and wait until MSIII to get the PDA. The technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, in 2 years the PDA you get today will be outdated.

 

[Matt_McClure]

I'd definitely go with a laptop.

 

[fun8stuff]

thanks for the advice guys... looks like i will be going with the laptop... a student at the med school i will attend just told me that there will be some stuff i wont be able to access... but, i guess i will just get the cheapest wifi pda in sept if that is the case. then get a good one third year.

 

[Pox in a box]

You cannot compare PDA's and laptops. PDA's are simply a glorified organizer. It is also expensive to get internet, and the technology is VERY limited.

Most people bring laptops to class and use them daily on campus. It is almost a neccessity at medical school.

I have a PDA, and it has been collecting dust in my apartment, since day 1 of medical school.

I couldn't disagree with you more. Internet is becoming more and more available via hotspots (airports, hotels, personal home networks, hospitals, and schools). In fact, the PDA can become a very nice resource in the clinical years. PDAs definitely have a different role in a person's technology arsenal. Yes, the technology is limited at this time but it is continually improving. Laptop technology is actually what is getting to be limited. Laptops in a classroom not only get a bit bulky but they are a nuisance to hold in your lap. If someone came into my lecture with a laptop to take notes, I think he/she would get laughed at immensely. Why do you "need" a laptop? I don't think anyone "needs" either. If you need a computer, doesn't your computer have any? I agree, the older Palm versions that were the PDA prototypes have very limited use. I bought one about 5 years ago and it was a battery-hog organizer.

To the original poster, why don't you just save your money? You said you have a new desktop PC. Why do you need a laptop? They are actually a liability. I wouldn't leave mine unattended for any reason. Too many times things get misplaced or stolen.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I couldn't disagree with you more. Internet is becoming more and more available via hotspots (airports, hotels, personal home networks, hospitals, and schools). In fact, the PDA can become a very nice resource in the clinical years. PDAs definitely have a different role in a person's technology arsenal. Yes, the technology is limited at this time but it is continually improving. Laptop technology is actually what is getting to be limited. Laptops in a classroom not only get a bit bulky but they are a nuisance to hold in your lap. If someone came into my lecture with a laptop to take notes, I think he/she would get laughed at immensely. Why do you "need" a laptop? I don't think anyone "needs" either. If you need a computer, doesn't your computer have any? I agree, the older Palm versions that were the PDA prototypes have very limited use. I bought one about 5 years ago and it was a battery-hog organizer.

To the original poster, why don't you just save your money? You said you have a new desktop PC. Why do you need a laptop? They are actually a liability. I wouldn't leave mine unattended for any reason. Too many times things get misplaced or stolen.

The technology is too limited for PDA's bought now. Once the technology is perfected, a new PDA will need to be purchased. 1st and 2nd year medical school work simply cannot be done on a PDA, and obviously clinical applications will be irrelevant. The PDA should be purchased at the beginning of the 3rd year, or it will be obsolete by the time you really use it.

 

[WatchingWaiting]

I couldn't disagree with you more. Internet is becoming more and more available via hotspots (airports, hotels, personal home networks, hospitals, and schools). In fact, the PDA can become a very nice resource in the clinical years. PDAs definitely have a different role in a person's technology arsenal. Yes, the technology is limited at this time but it is continually improving. Laptop technology is actually what is getting to be limited. Laptops in a classroom not only get a bit bulky but they are a nuisance to hold in your lap. If someone came into my lecture with a laptop to take notes, I think he/she would get laughed at immensely. Why do you "need" a laptop? I don't think anyone "needs" either. If you need a computer, doesn't your computer have any? I agree, the older Palm versions that were the PDA prototypes have very limited use. I bought one about 5 years ago and it was a battery-hog organizer.

To the original poster, why don't you just save your money? You said you have a new desktop PC. Why do you need a laptop? They are actually a liability. I wouldn't leave mine unattended for any reason. Too many times things get misplaced or stolen.

Where are you attending med school? Laptops are quite common at many med schools. I have to admit I saw them used for checking on how the lakers were doing or reading the nytimes quite often, but some students certainly did look at powerpoints and take notes on their laptops.

 

[fun8stuff]

I couldn't disagree with you more. Internet is becoming more and more available via hotspots (airports, hotels, personal home networks, hospitals, and schools). In fact, the PDA can become a very nice resource in the clinical years. PDAs definitely have a different role in a person's technology arsenal. Yes, the technology is limited at this time but it is continually improving. Laptop technology is actually what is getting to be limited. Laptops in a classroom not only get a bit bulky but they are a nuisance to hold in your lap. If someone came into my lecture with a laptop to take notes, I think he/she would get laughed at immensely. Why do you "need" a laptop? I don't think anyone "needs" either. If you need a computer, doesn't your computer have any? I agree, the older Palm versions that were the PDA prototypes have very limited use. I bought one about 5 years ago and it was a battery-hog organizer.

To the original poster, why don't you just save your money? You said you have a new desktop PC. Why do you need a laptop? They are actually a liability. I wouldn't leave mine unattended for any reason. Too many times things get misplaced or stolen.

well, i probably dont need either, although the school i will probably attend is recommending a pda for first and second year students- they are trying to integrate PDAs into first year curric, but still not "required"

my parents are able to get a brandnew laptop for 50% off for a limited time. i might end up giving them my desktop (which is almost a year old, but still is really nice).

I think I will go with a laptop for now, and wait until later to get the PDA. I will be purchasing the laptop just so that that I can have the portability. Not necessarily to take notes in class... i cant picture myself doing this, espeically since they are printed off in a course pack. I have at least a 30 min commute and it would be nice to have a computer with me for wherever I go to study, etc. Plus, if I have to go home for a family event or what not, I will be able to bring my work with me on my laptop. The concensus that I am getting is that a PDA is not as good as a laptop yet....

I have heard there is a Windows CE emulator... anyone else here of this or know where I can get one?

 

[Pox in a box]

The technology is too limited for PDA's bought now. Once the technology is perfected, a new PDA will need to be purchased. 1st and 2nd year medical school work simply cannot be done on a PDA, and obviously clinical applications will be irrelevant. The PDA should be purchased at the beginning of the 3rd year, or it will be obsolete by the time you really use it.

I'll admit you don't need one for the first two years. However, I don't think your machine will be obsolete in 2 years.

 

[Pox in a box]

well, i probably dont need either, although the school i will probably attend is recommending a pda for first and second year students- they are trying to integrate PDAs into first year curric, but still not "required"

my parents are able to get a brandnew laptop for 50% off for a limited time. i might end up giving them my desktop (which is almost a year old, but still is really nice).

I think I will go with a laptop for now, and wait until later to get the PDA. I will be purchasing the laptop just so that that I can have the portability. Not necessarily to take notes in class... i cant picture myself doing this, espeically since they are printed off in a course pack. I have at least a 30 min commute and it would be nice to have a computer with me for wherever I go to study, etc. Plus, if I have to go home for a family event or what not, I will be able to bring my work with me on my laptop. The concensus that I am getting is that a PDA is not as good as a laptop yet....

I have heard there is a Windows CE emulator... anyone else here of this or know where I can get one?

In that scenario (trading in your desktop), I agree with your decision.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I'll admit you don't need one for the first two years. However, I don't think your machine will be obsolete in 2 years.

You haven't paid much attention to the PDA market as of recently then. The technology is changing so quickly, a PDA will be obsolete in 6 months. I would wait for the market to stabilize before I purchase another one.

 

[kaikai128]

On the portability of a laptop--watch which one you get. Some laptops are extremely portable and weigh very little (Dell X300 w/o base less than 2.5lbs with small battery I think) verses some of the other base models that weigh 10lbs or more. In undergrad, I rarely was able to take along my laptop (although I would have liked to) because it was simply not feasible to carry that on top of the normal weight in my bookbag.

I think the laptop was a good decision. 🙂 Good luck with the hunt.

 

[OSUdoc08]

On the portability of a laptop--watch which one you get. Some laptops are extremely portable and weigh very little (Dell X300 w/o base less than 2.5lbs with small battery I think) verses some of the other base models that weigh 10lbs or more. In undergrad, I rarely was able to take along my laptop (although I would have liked to) because it was simply not feasible to carry that on top of the normal weight in my bookbag.

I think the laptop was a good decision. 🙂 Good luck with the hunt.

Dell Inspiron m600

or

Dell Latitude D600

 

[fun8stuff]

On the portability of a laptop--watch which one you get. Some laptops are extremely portable and weigh very little (Dell X300 w/o base less than 2.5lbs with small battery I think) verses some of the other base models that weigh 10lbs or more. In undergrad, I rarely was able to take along my laptop (although I would have liked to) because it was simply not feasible to carry that on top of the normal weight in my bookbag.

I think the laptop was a good decision. 🙂 Good luck with the hunt.

well, i went with just about the lightest one that was the most most "suped up"... but i did buy a bigger battery... something like 4 lbs w/o extra battery.