[beausud]

hey all, i have been a looong time PALM user, i still use my old M500! but perhaps its time for an upgrade. i am debating on getting the HP iPAQ rx5900. it offers a lot of extras but i was wondering if it can function just as well as my "PDA" deicated PALM device. the HP site seems to focus on its wi-fi, blue tooth, pics, vids, mp3 and ofcourse the GPS capabilities, but can i still use it for work? i.e.: med calculations, drug reference, calendar, adress book etc...

i appologize in advance for the silly question (i dont know much about the pocket pc powered PDA's), but can i still dowload the nursing software that i need into it? the HP model that i am interested in offers a lot of goodies, especially for those who travel.

any info on the HP iPAQ rx5900 or pocket pc in general would be appreciated. thx in advance for your help.

[cinqly]

In short, YES to everything! I was a looong time Handspring user (old Palm device), and more recently a Palm TX user (about a month), and now a Dell Axim user. I'm SO glad I traded up for the Window's Mobile device! The HP devices are almost identical to the Dell's, so I would say that it's a pretty darn good device! Windows Mobile is easier to use, IMO, than the Palm platform, and just has a friendlier user interface. As for programs, everything you can get for Palm you can get for Windows! Plus, you will still be able to use your contacts & calendar. Of course, as with any upgrade you will have to transfer data to your new device, and reinstall programs to the new device, but that would happen no matter what. One question: are you syncing your Palm device with Microsoft outlook or some other program? WM devices sync with Outlook, so you would have to figure out a way to trasfer your info to the new program, but I'm assuming that's been done before and you should be able to figure it out with a little googling!

Anyway, I say that the HP would be a great improvement, a great device, and the little "extras" will allow you to use it in ways you haven't even thought of! If you can get your hands on one and try it out, that may be the best way for you to get a feel for it. Really it's just personal preference, because both platforms can carry the same programs and do the same things. Good luck and I hope you come over to the dark side!

[nurse2bKY]

I bought a Dell x51V a couple of months ago, and I absolutely love it. Dell is getting out of the PDA market, so HP would be my choice if I were to get a PDA now. Here's why I think Microsoft's Pocket PC software and coupled with superior hardware is a winning combination, compared to any Palm based PDA. A couple of people in my clinicals bought the LifeDrive at the same time I bought my Dell, and we compared them side-by-side. Conclusions: my Dell is faster, easier to operate, and has a much better screen than the LifeDrive has. We have the same nursing software installed, but since mine works off of a Microsoft platform instead of Palm, the operations of the same software was just a bit different between the Dell and the LifeDrive. Again, the Dell came out ahead. So, I'm really, really glad I went with the Dell. I have lots of nursing software installed, and I use it all the time in cliniclas. Now, I know you are looking at the HP, but rest assured, everything I said about my Dell will hold true with the HP. You will get lots of use out of it, and you will find the HP to be a fantastic PDA. I would hightly recommend it over any Palm-based unit. Hope this helps.

[cinqly]

Originally Posted by nurse2bKY

Conclusions: my Dell is faster, easier to operate, and has a much better screen than the LifeDrive has.

I just have to reiterate and say DITTO!

I forgot to mention that the screen is MUCH better (keep in mind that I had the experience to use a TX for a month). When you compare the HP's side by side with the Dell's, they are very similar, so you will be getting the same quality we are describing with an HP device. It's just that I got a super good deal on the Dell since they are no longer producing them!

Note: I would reccomend a warranty, because you never know what can happen.

[beausud]

hey, thx for the info!

*One question: are you syncing your Palm device with Microsoft outlook or some other program? --> no i have not done this as of yet. although i am going to have to figure out how to transfer all my PALM OS info over to the pocket pc OS.

i am still looking around for the best price for this thing. although i do admit it is pricey, but it should be a good buy considering on how long i have had my PALM M500; by the way i also owned a handspring device a while back.

thx again, all the info given was helpful.

[gradRN2007]

Has anyone used the new cingular pearl from blackberry? I am also a long time handspring user and now use the zire17 from palm. I want something that I can use to be a phone and pda so i can carry one less thing. I love my palm platform and my husband has a mucj pricier pda he isn't using with a microsoft platform maybe i should try to use that first..anyway..any input would be greatly appreciated. I have a lot of nursing programs on my pda but i love the skyscape programs and they would download to anything i think
thanks

[VIXEN007]

I do not believe that Palm OS and Pocket PC interface. I could be wrong.

[traumaRUs]

I have a Treo 700p and love it - combines the smart phone features with PDA, internet capability, bluetooth - works great.

[rn2md2b]

Greetings,
I have been a long time palm os user and recently switched to a windows mobile pda. I was worried about all the investments I had in skyscape programs and other programs that I use at work. I found a nice program called styletap that can run palm os programs on windows based pda's. It hasnt worked too well on all my skyscape programs but the main drug guides and reference programs that I need are working. It allows you to keep your palm os programs while using a windows based device. www.styletap.com

[CraigB-RN]

If your subscriptions to skyscape are current you can download the PPC versions.

Originally Posted by rn2md2b

Greetings,
I have been a long time palm os user and recently switched to a windows mobile pda. I was worried about all the investments I had in skyscape programs and other programs that I use at work. I found a nice program called styletap that can run palm os programs on windows based pda's. It hasnt worked too well on all my skyscape programs but the main drug guides and reference programs that I need are working. It allows you to keep your palm os programs while using a windows based device. www.styletap.com