Best budget Palm OS based PDA?

[mshan]

My dad needs a PDA to store a program containing drug dosing information (he is a physician).

I haven't researched the drug reference software yet, but I'm guessing that everything is Palm OS based.

What is the best Palm OS based PDA for my dad's uses?

Also, what is the current Palm OS revision and how far back do you think I can go without running into serious outdatedness re. current software compatibility?

 

[Christobevii3]

Tungest E would probably be more than enough with a decent sized SD card. Most programs will be palm os 5 for a long while since palm os 6 won't be major for a year or more probably at minimum.

 

[Giantwasp]

My girlfriend has a Tungsten E and I think it is a great machine. I use a T3 mainly 'cos I wanted bluetooth but I think that her tungsten E is better value for money. They have also released the E2 which seems like a good improvement on the orginal model for reasonable price but I guess that is not really a budget machine. If the T|E is too much (around $180) then there is the Zire 31 (around $125), I don't know if it is any good though. But I wouldn't go for anything older than the OS 5 models.
This site is good for reviews and info: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/

 

[mshan]

What's currently a decent amount of memory: 8 MB? more? less?

 

[Giantwasp]

If you are just using it for PIM functionality (Date, addresses etc.) then 8MB is enough if you want to do any of the following then more is needed.
Games
Web browsing
Maps
MP3 (generally needs an lot more so you would get an SD card to provide space)
eBooks