So... best PDA software?

[Guitar_Heroine]

I've decided to splurge on a PDA, but looking at software is overwhelming with all the different drug databases, etc. (Do you need the general one AND the psych one?? Which general is best?) What do you guys prefer?

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

This morning I asked my computer teacher which PDA I should buy. He suggested to buy the brand "PalmPilot" because the upgrades are cheaper, sometimes free, and because if we have to we can buy it in any store such as best buy, even a target or walmart. I as planning on buying a Dell Axim X30. He says that is a good one too but that we can only get the software updates from Dell. Now I am really confused on what to buy.

I'm a great fan of Palm, but I'm pretty sure Dell uses the PocketPC operating system, in common with HP and several others. The availability issues aren't what they once were--there's a lot of stuff for PocketPC. Skyscape, for example, sells most of their programs in either format.

A friend just traded in his older HP for a new Palm T5, and he was able to re-download his software in the new format at no extra charge (from Skyscape) so if you buy one and later change your mind about the OS, you aren't stuck replacing all your software. I'd suggest checking with your vendor in advance, though.

I had a Tungsten E and still think it's the best buy on the market, but I broke mine, and I hated to lay out that much money to replace it, so I upgraded to a T5. Don't really know if it's worth the difference in price, but I do enjoy the bigger screen.

I've been really happy with the Davis Drug Guide and Taber's. I also have the free version of ePocrates, but I'm thinking of buying the full version. RNotes has been pretty useful, too. And I have an NCLEX review program (NCLEX 8, I think) for killing time at the laundromat, etc.