Thread: PDA...any suggestions?

Hey guys,

I want to by myself a PDA, but I dont know what's a good one to buy and where to buy it. Any suggestions. Also, aside from Epocrates, what other programs are good ones to get. Thanks

Depends on what you are looking for. You should ask yourself these questions:

1) Palm vs. Windows Mobile: While it is mostly a personal decision of which you like better/are more comfortable with, some hospitals may support one over the other (i.e. in accessing the HIS, etc).

2) Plain PDA vs. Networked PDA vs. SmartPhone

3) Cost - do you want a brand new, expensive one, or are you looking for a cheaper, used one?

Personally, I went with a Palm-based product because of my familiarity with it, the fact that I have been using them previously (and could load all of my old stuff on my new device), and my general dislike for Microsoft. Also, since it has been around longer, there are way more programs available for Palm.

If you are looking for a smartphone, I would recommend one of the Palm Treo's. I just got the 700p and I like it a lot. Comes with everything you need including all the organizer stuff, phone, email, internet, etc. It also has EVDO (high speed internet) so I can stream music or TV. It unfortunately is more expensive now (I got it during the holidays for around $50 with rebates and stuff).

If you are looking for something cheaper, I am selling my Tungsten C with accessories. It has all the normal Palm stuff, plus web and email via 802.11b (WiFi) connection. For more info, see: http://www.palm.com/us/products/hand...gsten_c_ds.pdf Let me know if you are interested.

As for apps, in my medical category, I have:

-TheraDoc Antibiotics Guide
-.911 Hazmat/Bioterror Guide
-5 Minute Clinical Consult: Emergency Medicine
-Archimedes/MedCalc - medical formula calculators
-Growth Charts/OB Wheel
-Merck Manual

You can pretty much put any medical book on there. Someone in our group has Surgical Recall, etc.

hi EMT036,

how much were you thinking of selling your old pda for? are there any programs already on it? also how old is it, is it in good condition, and how much memory does it have? it would be great to save some money because i've been looking into getting a new pda and they're really expensive. let me know, and thanks again!

The PDA is in good working condition, but has some minor cosmetic scratches on the bottom (the screen is fine). It has 64MB internal memory, but it has an expansion slot so you can add 2GB if you want (I'll be selling it with a 128MB card). As far as programs, I had to do a hard reset to move some stuff over to my new PDA, otherwise you'd end up with my name as your username. Pretty much everything you need medically you can get for free, i.e. Epocrates, Merck Manual, etc. I would put it on for you, but you need to install it on your computer so it syncs correctly. But it's easy enough to do. As for other programs, whatever programs are listed on the information sheet above are on it. Accessories include leather case with belt clip, sync cradle, travel sync cord/charger, original box with installation CD's.

As for price, looks like they are going for $120-200 on EBay (new was $400), so how about $100 plus the shipping method of your choice.

I'll tell you, I just bought a new PDA and I am very pleased. I used to use Palms but recently switched to Pocket PC. The Dell Axim 51v is the BEST PDA out there right now and you can get it for a good price on eBay. Check it out.

So EMT, what can pda's do that a smart phone can't do? since you can get a palm based smart phone and upgrade it's sd card you can install all the palm applications you want on it right?

Also what would be the best thing (i.e. pda or smart phone) to get if money wasn't a concern?

I haven't really looked at smartphones in-depth but the couple differences I've seen in the couple I looked at compared to my axim x50v are:

1. Axim has more processing power so potentially will be snappier.

2. Axim has bigger screen and is VGA vs QVGA i.e. higher resolution.

3. Axim does not have full QWERTY keypad but some other models of PDAs do (same goes for smartphones though - some have and some don't).

4. I believe that smartphones can run all the same software and therefore it makes for convenience in that there are less things to carry.

5. Axim potentially has more memory/storage capacity e.g. right now I have a 2 GB SD card and a 4 GB CF card in mine.

Axim cons:

1. Battery life isn't so great i.e. only a few hours with heavy use with wifi, etc. on. I h ave an extra battery though and it's only a few seconds to change. Extended batteries are available.

2. Extra device to carry in addition to phone.

Smartphone cons:

1. The biggest I can think of is the size for those times you don't really need a PDA with you e.g. if you want to go to a club. Having something thin like a RAZR (not the best phone in the world although definitely thin) would be better for carrying around.

2. Dunno about battery life but, for example, the more you use your PDA functions the less battery you'll have and therefore less potential talk time if you need to have a long chat. Not a big deal if you always will be near to an outlet (which most people will be) and/or it's fine for you to charge every night.

3. Just a guess cause I haven't done much research into products like I always do when ready to buy tech stuff but potentially a dedicated phone will be better at being a phone i.e. call clarity, reception, etc.

4. I personally don't like the idea of holding a smartphone with a screen up to my face to talk. But there's always the option for a headset I guess.

Smartphone pros:

1. You'll always have all of your info/data with you since you'll presumably always be carrying your phone.

Those are the ones I can quickly think of off the top of my head. I might be wrong on some counts regarding the smartphone (which I've pointed out) and there may be other factors I haven't thought about.

Now a days most professionals have two sell phones a business and a personal phone. I am thinking it might be a good idea to get a thin phone like a razor as a personal phone and big smart phone as a work phone...Although at that rate might as well get a pda...

That's true (the two phone thing) but a smartphone might still be better cause, again, it's only one thing to carry with you while you're at work rather than the PDA and phone.

I'm gonna go that route though since I already have the PDA and I don't plan on shelling out more money for another one. A thin phone will suit me just fine in addition to it.

i have one word for ya'll - iPhone.

ok- DISCUSS!!!!