Laptops and PDAs

user69 · Jun 10, 2004

Does anyone have any suggestions on a PDA and/or Laptop computer that works well for a SRNA? I will be doing a lot of traveling so would like a PDA with a voice recorder (I think there is such a thing) and the ability to play back content during my drive. Also, any great programs that seem to be a necessity for getting through school? I start my program in August and want to purchase these items soon so I can learn how to use them. Thanks!

I have a Palm T3 and it works great. Most of my class has Palm PDAs. Many of the Anesthesia books come with a free version in electronic format and are great reference from the PDA. I have a Palm OS PDA, but I think that almost all of the software is available in wither the Pocket PC or Palm format.

You can get a keyboard to go with the PDA for taking notes if you want to be able to type in class. Personally I think too many people get laptop computers that would be better off getting a home system and PDA for less money.

I am sure that the group can provide plenty of feedback on the best software, but I liked the free version of the PDA from PDA.ORG, I bought ePocrates and it is OK, but I have been told that some of the information on drugs might be incorrect.

For a voice recorder you might want to think about getting an iPod and using that, any PDA you get might do voice recording, but will not be the best solution for recording classes. With the iPod you can play the classes back in your car or while you exercise, or even email them to the rest of the class if you need to.

Good luck.

nursemcdonald · Jun 11, 2004

For a laptop, you want features, portability, power, and armor. The best Laptop I have found with all these is the FUJITSU P2120 or 2110. Check it out on Ebay or similar sales site... I love mine and it is powerful enough to do some heavy database searching and web surfing too. good luck.

-nurse mcd

TraumaMaster · Jun 12, 2004

The Sony Clie has a built in recorder I think. I have a palm. I love my laptop. It is a little big but easily portable. It is a Toshiba Satellite with a centrino processor. Mega fast with all the built in wireless features for wireless web surfing (one of the best laptops for wireless features). I even made may house wireless. Super cool. It is not as compact or light as a Sony Viao (spelling?) but packs up in a jiff.

eph432girl · Jun 12, 2004

I have a HP personal PC -- like a palm. Paid about 300 for it. I would DEFINATELY get a palm or personal pc. I record all my lectures onto its voice recorder. Get one with bluetooth & you can beam info (lecture notes) to your laptop instead of hooking up a wire.

I download my lectures to my hardrive on laptop. If I burn them to a CD and call it a DATA file, I can record a ton of notes...problem is that I can ONLY play the CD from a computer -- won't work in CD player of car/stereo. BUT, if I record them to CD as MUSIC file, I can only get about 2 hours worth of talking per CD -- that is good b/c can hear lectures in car/stereo.... bad thing is that you have 4-5 CDs per class laying around. SO... since laptop has tons of memory and have to play lecture from computer anyway, I usually don't burn to cd.

I use software called ROXIO that came with laptop - use that to burn to cd when I need to. You can also use Windows Media Player -- dont waste money on any software -- my opinion.

You will need a SD - memory disk. Palms don't have enough memory to record full days lecture. I have 128 size and paid about $50. It is plenty big - can go a few days without downloading to disk if I need to.

We did get a laptop - is really nice to have (especially wireless net)..but if $$ is tight, I agree with the person who said to save money and use your desktop at home. I got an HP 5120 (notebook). I grilled the salespeople at the computer store -- and for what we needed - the celeron processor is more than enough (thought about getting a P4-- P4 is for games they said). I would advise to get the celeron processor if you want a laptop and use the money you would save by not buying a P4 -- use that left over $$ to get a palm.

One note about HP (I wish I knew before we bought) -- if you call the 1-800 number for ANYTHING, be prepared to speak Indian. They outsource their helpline to India and everyone I have spoken to has a REALLLLLLY THICK accent -- not being racist or anything -- so dont leave me hate mail about that........., but I would prefer to speak to someone that I can understand when I need help. ... and I thought I was buying an AMERICAN product. So, based on that alone, I would NOT recommend HP to anyone.

Hope this is all helpful - I am no computer whiz, but if you ask, I will tell ya what I know!

SproutRN · Jun 13, 2004

Does anyone have any suggestions on a PDA and/or Laptop computer that works well for a SRNA? I will be doing a lot of traveling so would like a PDA with a voice recorder (I think there is such a thing) and the ability to play back content during my drive. Also, any great programs that seem to be a necessity for getting through school? I start my program in August and want to purchase these items soon so I can learn how to use them. Thanks![/quote
The one suggestion I will make is that you might consider contacting someone in your program to make sure you don't need a specific type OS for your PDA. For example, in my program we will be using Meditrax to document all of our clinical information and we are requried to have a PDA which operates on the Palm OS.
I also purchased a Dell laptop to take to school. I wasn't sure I would use it, but there are many times when I have needed a computer on campus and the computer labs are full of other students, so it has come on handy throughout the last year. My husband has also set up a wireless LAN at the house which allows the kids to continue their fun and I can get my stuff done too!
SproutRN

sonessrna · Jun 13, 2004

Does anyone have any suggestions on a PDA and/or Laptop computer that works well for a SRNA? I will be doing a lot of traveling so would like a PDA with a voice recorder (I think there is such a thing) and the ability to play back content during my drive. Also, any great programs that seem to be a necessity for getting through school? I start my program in August and want to purchase these items soon so I can learn how to use them. Thanks!

We were required to get a Dell laptop with 40 Gig harddrive, CD burner, 2.6 GHz (or somethinglike that) etc. Contact your program to know what exactly they might want you to have. A lap top is a MUST however. Be sure you have a wireless card with it as well. Inaddition, for Medatrax you don't have to have Palm OS. You must contact them to find out what kind of PDA is compatible with the system. I have a Pocket PC and it is compatible. Just check before you buy one. There are a couple of people in my class with Pocket PC and a few with Palm OS. Both work fine. Check with the company. Check with your program. Otherwise..be sure you get something that is up to date and something with enough memoruy for you. I have a drug book, ClineAn, and an anatomy reference on mine...they would take up a lot of space on a PDA with only 8MB of memory.