What kind of PDA/handheld computer to get?

[TripodLuv]

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Couldn't find a recent thread addressing this question, so with all the new tablets coming out, I would like to get some current feedback. RVUCOM (and I'm guessing several other programs) require a PDA or handheld computer for the use of certain clinical mobile apps. They recommend an iPod touch, but other Android devices are developing so much faster, and I was considering one of those.

Can anyone give me an idea of exactly how the PDA is used in class? Would a tablet (7-10 inches) be too big to use for the intended purose?

Thanks!

 

[kcin]

Couldn't find a recent thread addressing this question, so with all the new tablets coming out, I would like to get some current feedback. RVUCOM (and I'm guessing several other programs) require a PDA or handheld computer for the use of certain clinical mobile apps. They recommend an iPod touch, but other Android devices are developing so much faster, and I was considering one of those.

Can anyone give me an idea of exactly how the PDA is used in class? Would a tablet (7-10 inches) be too big to use for the intended purose?

Thanks!

You need to find out the requirements of the programs they're requiring you to use. If they're saying you need an ipod touch, then the programs have probably been developed for iOS and will not run on android devices. Therefore you would be limited to ipod touch/iphone/ipad. I don't believe there are any iOS emulators available. If the programs are java based then you should be able to use android devices.

tl;dr You provided too little information.

 

[TripodLuv]

Thanks for your reply. However, I already know the required apps will work on Android devices. I really need to know how the device is physically used... i.e. would a 7 or 10-inch tablet be too big for practical use?

 

[munchymanRX]

Couldn't find a recent thread addressing this question, so with all the new tablets coming out, I would like to get some current feedback. RVUCOM (and I'm guessing several other programs) require a PDA or handheld computer for the use of certain clinical mobile apps. They recommend an iPod touch, but other Android devices are developing so much faster, and I was considering one of those.

Can anyone give me an idea of exactly how the PDA is used in class? Would a tablet (7-10 inches) be too big to use for the intended purose?

Thanks!

If you're looking for a smartphone, Virgin Mobile has android handsets for 25 bucks a month with unlimited data/text and no contract.

 

[CopToEM]

I haven't found an Android tablet yet that I'm very fond of. They've all seemed kind of generic to date. I really do still feel that the iPad has that market conquered although that may well change in the next quarter or two. For clinical use, I can see the iPad being very handy to have. It has Dragon Dictation software available which works exceptionally well. As an undergrad, I didn't find mine very useful for education as most of the handwritten note taking apps are lackluster. With that said, things like epocrates, webmd, medspanish, etc. make it a terrific tool to have at your disposal.

More importantly, there's nothing in regards to those kind of reference apps that the iPad can do that the iPod Touch cannot. Unless you can think of a real reason that you need to have GPS capabilities or need the extra screen real estate the iPod Touch should suffice. Additionally, worth noting is that you can get 3G Data Service on the iPad should you feel the need to have internet access anywhere you go. This may not be as important for school as it will be later down the road as you travel, etc.

Since there's not really a non-phone Android device worth having at this point my vote is definitely for the iOS platform for now. You may also look into the Lenovo Thinkpads which schools like LMU-DCOM give to all students. I'm not sure if RVUCOM's app suite works with the Windows platform or not but I've never met a student who doesn't love that tablet computer.