[Triple A's]

Hi all,

This may sound silly, but I had to ask. I am starting nursing school next week, I've heard how useful a pda is to this profession and have decided to purchase the palm TX. Here's my question, Can I use this device as a tool to type up research papers, homework etc. I ask because I am also thinking of buying a laptop, since my daughters practically live on the net, I fear that I may "hog" the computer as they say. If a palm can do all of the things a laptop can then I dont see the need to buy both.

Thanks for your help!!!

[EricEnfermero]

PDA's and smartphones are great for things like looking up drug dosages, checking email and even typing a short email reply, but typing anything longer than that can get pretty frustrating. A laptop or desktop would still be a benefit to you.

[fragino]

Even if you buy an external keyboard for your PDA, it is still a frustrating process. Believe me, I've tried it. It's just not the typing into that little screen, it's the formatting that you can't see and do.

In nursing school (at least mine) you will end up writing reports, papers, care plans, etc. My school also required us to purchase a set of CD's that had procedures demonstrated on them. If you buy PDA versions of Davis Drug Guide and Tabers along with other software from Skyscape it will come with the desktop version for free. It is so much easier to look things up on the desktop/laptop and copy and paste the information you need to the papers you are writing on your desktop/laptop rather than copying it from your PDA or book.

[CraigB-RN]

It can be done. While getting my first masters I was flying a lot and I used it to get a lot of papers written. I wouldn't want to write a thesis on it, but with an external keynoard it is doable, but not fun. THe laptop will get you farther probably.