PDA's

tdg_rn · Dec 28, 2003

I have played with the Pocket PC handhelds. They didn't really do anything to pull me away from Palm. Palms tend to use disk space better (You'll notice that apps available on both platforms are generally smaller for the Palm OS.) and operate faster in speed tests. All that Pocket PC offers is the similarity between the PDA and your desktop but you can do the same things with both.

I have not tried the newest version of their OS but I just don't see anything worth switching. Palm is the way to go...

Terence

PilotJim68 · Dec 28, 2003

Thanks for the opinions. I think I have a good machine that may need a little more memory. So far so good though.

CarVsTree · Dec 28, 2003

The Pocket PCs cost more but they run Windows applications such as Word and have more memory. I was wondering if it was worth the extra money to buy an iPAQ.

I agree with tdg_rn that the Pocket PC applications are much too large.

Palm OS v.5 which comes standard on all new Palms now, has Documents to Go which runs Word and Excel. So if that is your only reason for Pocket PC I would stick with Palm.

Medic2005 · Dec 29, 2003

well new hear to this discussion, but for a beginner what would any one here recommend that would be good & cheap,pda /Palm

My plan is to go thru a C.N.A course then on to a L.P.N. then the biggy.

:eek: R.N would it be good to get one now & practice with it. It

will be 2005 Before i could get into a L.P.N course so any info on this is greately appreciated Sincerely Jerry Prospective Nursing student :chair: :coollook:

PS: what about the dell brands to pricy or not the right stuff they appear to be pocket pc by what I'm looking @ in the catalog?????

tdg_rn · Dec 29, 2003

Medic 2005-

Any of the PDA's out there wouldn't take an awful lot of working with to learn. It's really just a matter of what you plan to use it for now and then. With the way technology runs, if you don't have a need for one right now just wait until you do. They steadily get better and cheaper like everything else in the industry. If you do want one to play with just to get used to the whole PDA thing, the Palm Zire 21 is a good starter. It has 8 Mb of memory and runs right at $100. The screen in monochrome and it wouldn't be good if you want to install drug guides or encyclopedias, but it does have all of the traditional PDA apps. Like I said it would be for 'practice' only.

As far as the Dell Axim...I'm not crazy about the Pocket PC OS. When Dell first jumped into that market they lowballed the price and you could get a pretty good unit for an extremely good price. They are still okay pricewise but now they have gotten more in line with the market. If I were shopping for a PDA that uses that OS I would go with an Ipaq. They have always had good ratings and been quality devices. Problem is to get one of those units will run you at least $400. Once again, I've tried but never put any long term use into them. If I were going to dump that kind of money in one, I would (and did) go with a Palm.

Man, I'm likin' this forum...It's almost as though I'm still in the IT field....Yes!

Terence

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2003

I am cracking myself up with this thing. It's official, I am a hotsyncing fool.

I now have the trial version of RNnotes and Tabers and a few other programs that I will eventually delete. I can't believe that I am enjoying this little wonder so much. I have not decided if I am going to buy the full version of RNnotes or not. I do like Tabers though. I also have the free version of epocrates.

Last night, I hot synced my addresses and phone #'s. I must really look funny with both my laptop and my PDA going at the same time.

I am enjoying it. Now I've gotta find some games to put on my Palm.

EyesForward · Dec 29, 2003

Mona B, your pda enthusiasm is infectious. :chuckle

JAZZ49 · Dec 30, 2003

> I do not know how to do the "quotes" properly. How is it done?

I do have Tabers installed on mine and it has come in handy for class,and it's one less schoo book I have to carry with me incase I might need it. I also noticed the RNnotes and wondered if it would be worth trying in clinicals and use when you do assessments and have to write the reports later. What do you think of it? What are it's strengh's/weaknesses? I do like this thread, its so helpful!

Jazz49

suzy253, RN · Dec 30, 2003

I got a Palm Tungsten for Christmas. Haven't loaded anything on it yet but I will today. From reading everyone's posts I think I'll be addicted. Sounds exciting!!!

opalmRN · Dec 31, 2003

Well I went to the epocrates support website and the program cannot be downloaded to a memory card. I guess this is there way of preventing free sharing. So it will have to reside on the palm internal memory.

I wish these manufacturers would tell you these things in the little info box before you download. Actually I was not able to download RNnotes , Taber's or RN fast facts to the memory card and here I thought it was because they are the "trial version". Guess not.

Anyway, I guess I'll just have to live with it. Seemed like a good organizational thing to keep all my school stuff on a separate card.

If anyone figures out away around this first hand, please let me know.

Thanks,

C

CarVsTree · Dec 31, 2003

I wish these manufacturers would tell you these things in the little info box before you download. Actually I was not able to download RNnotes , Taber's or RN fast facts to the memory card and here I thought it was because they are the "trial version". Guess not.

I downloaded Tabers directly to my memory card (took forever too). I believe I also have RN Fastfacts on my memory card also. Where did you get Tabers? I got it at skyscape.com and I also received a discount for buying it with Davis Drug Guide.

HTH.

mittels · Dec 31, 2003

Am I way off base if I ask

What is a PDA?

Am I like so far behind in times that I need to catch up?