Going to buy a PDA.... need help

[Michael1897]

I'm going to be buying a pda pretty soon and i'm having a little trouble deciding. I've been looking at the Ipaq 3835's and 3970's, and the toshiba PC e740. I'm mainly going to be using it in a hospital setting.
What do you think? If you have one what you like/dislike? which is better

thanks
mike

 

[777php]

definitely go x-scale if you are just now buying your first PDA.

 

[loup garou]

I've been accused of being a PocketPC zealot before, so this is not like me, but have you considered any Palm devices? I know alot more medical software and documentation is available for the Palm platform.

 

[joohang]

Originally posted by: 777php
definitely go x-scale if you are just now buying your first PDA.

Waste of money unless it comes with very nifty extra features for a very reasonable price - like Toshiba e740.

 

[Michael1897]

it's not my first i've had a cassiopeia for a while now but i'm not fully satisfied with it.
I think the hospital that i'm working at is considering setting up a wireless network for the ipaq that's why i'm kinda leaning that way.

do you know off hand what software is available for the palm if not i'll search around for it....

 

[joohang]

Check out Toshiba e740.

X-Scale 400 MHz, integrated 802.11b (which I assume your hospital will be using), built-in CF and SD slots, an expansion for VGA output and USB port.

It also comes with a replaceable battery and Toshiba will later come out with a higher capacity batter. Definitely a big plus for PocketPCs.

 

[Triumph]

not to hijack the thread, but I'm also looking for a palm. All I want to do right now is to store phone numbers and addresses. That's it. Maybe I'll want more later, but I don't want to spend the money now. Any suggestions?

 

[Descartes]

I would imagine that a hospital environment would be employing 802.11a as I believe of the equipment already in use utilizes frequencies around 2.4ghz, that of 802.11b. You'll note the antennas that stick through the ceiling when walking around the hospital floors.

 

[Stark]

ilike my ipaq

 

[joohang]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I would imagine that a hospital environment would be employing 802.11a as I believe of the equipment already in use utilizes frequencies around 2.4ghz, that of 802.11b. You'll note the antennas that stick through the ceiling when walking around the hospital floors.

Interesting. Yeah, it is likely that they are using 802.11a and probably bridge them through multiple access points.

 

[Smaulz]

Here ya go

 

[ed21x]

currently, the best palm out is the sony clie t650- 66mhz, 16mb memory, 320x320 resolution, and integrated mp3 player, but if you wait a little bit until the next generation os5's come out- they use a modified scalable arm processor like the pocketpc's but are far more energy efficient- thus combining the best of both worlds. i personnaly have an n760 clie and love the thing.

pocketpc vs palm:
ppc- more robust, easier to integrate with windows on apps like office and internet explorer
ppc- better games, better sound, usually better screens, more vibrant
ppc- can watch full length movies on =P

palm- much better battery life (measured in weeks vs hours)
palm- more apps and still better 3rd party support
palm- almost never crashes, don't need bootup.
palm- usually lighter, easier to carry, cheaper

 

[MrHappyMonkey]

palm- almost never crashes, don't need bootup.

PocketPCs don't requrire a boot up time either. As soon as you push the power button it's on.

palm- usually lighter, easier to carry, cheaper

Some of the newer Toshibas are rivaling the thinness and weight of the Palm V series.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: Triumph
not to hijack the thread, but I'm also looking for a palm. All I want to do right now is to store phone numbers and addresses. That's it. Maybe I'll want more later, but I don't want to spend the money now. Any suggestions?

You sound like a perfect candidate for a refirb Visor Deluxe (or any visor deluxe for that matter, refirbs are $100 from handspring), it'll do what you want.

As for pocket pc's, what kind of things will you be using it for in the hospital? Patient record taking and such, the e740 might be a good idea, because of the build in wireless. Same with the ipaqs with the built in bluetooth, however, I don't know much about the bluetooth technology, so I'm not sure how much the medical monitoring equiptment would interfere with the signal (of course, it could be an issue with the 802.11 signal too)

 

[kru]

I just bought a Clie T615 last week. I've been using ClieSource as a resource, and it's interesting to see how many people in the medical field use Clies to store reference texts they use. I like it because with its 320x320 resolution (compared with Palm's default 160x160) and the memory slot for up to a 128 meg memory stick, it's ideal for eBooks.

The baddest-ass pda available right now is the Clie N70V, but it cost $600 and my T615 had all the features I really needed at half the price. Someone recommended the 655, which DOES have a faster processor and a marginally better display and an MP3 player, but I didn't think the extra features were worth an additional $100.

I bought my Clie for its slim form factor, the handy jog dial and back button for navigation, the crisp hi-res color screen and the memory stick slot. Picked it up from Amazon.com for $325 including a 128 meg memory stick, no tax, free S&H. Couldn't be happier with it.

 

[joohang]

Does N70V have the ability to change backlight settings? I was quite disappointed with the screen. It was far too dim for my eyes that are used to the iPAQ screen.

 

[LordMaul]

Originally posted by: joohang
Does N70V have the ability to change backlight settings? I was quite disappointed with the screen. It was far too dim for my eyes that are used to the iPAQ screen.

Yeah, you must have seen it set way low, 'cause it is VERY bright.

 

[joohang]

Originally posted by: LordMaul

Originally posted by: joohang
Does N70V have the ability to change backlight settings? I was quite disappointed with the screen. It was far too dim for my eyes that are used to the iPAQ screen.

Yeah, you must have seen it set way low, 'cause it is VERY bright.

Nice.

I still want PPC 2002 on it though.

 

[rh71]

Wow, nobody here likes the Handspring Treos?!?!?!

 

[ehaught]

I would first look at the programs you want to use and on what platform the programs are available. As noted in a post above, you will find the majority of medical programs are for the PalmOS. I am a health care professional using a PDA daily in my work and I use a PalmOS PDA for that reason.

 

[Lalakai]

recently went through this same experience in buying a pda for my wife (RN). She had talked with many residents, interns and specialists, and they all had their own preferences. For basic medical info, any platform will do and you will be able to get 99% of software that is ported for either Palms or Windows OS. So we expanded our uses and what she would likely be commonly needing. Finally settled on the Jornada 568 because of the existing memory and speed, along with the ability to communicate with Outlook. Close runners-up were the Ipaq and the Clieo (spelling???). The 568 gives her a very bright screen, lots of memory (she dl's books and songs that she can enjoy during breaks), and more then adequate battery for a 12 hour shift. For software, look at these sites (she's currently running the 5 Min. Peds exam, and a drug reference book that also matches what her hospital uses).

Skyscape
Pocket PC city
Epocrotes
Med. School (not real certain about this one)


Her 568 would link with the hospital systems and has the capability to dl patient files so that she could directly enter notes then sync at the end of her shift, but they are looking into the privacy issue. considering that she was a complete computer newbie, she's latched onto her pda and really loves it. If you need more info, drop me a message and I can send you more sites or let you talk with my wife and see what she really likes and dislikes. good luck

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Lalakai
recently went through this same experience in buying a pda for my wife (RN). She had talked with many residents, interns and specialists, and they all had their own preferences. For basic medical info, any platform will do and you will be able to get 99% of software that is ported for either Palms or Windows OS. So we expanded our uses and what she would likely be commonly needing. Finally settled on the Jornada 568 because of the existing memory and speed, along with the ability to communicate with Outlook. Close runners-up were the Ipaq and the Clieo (spelling???). The 568 gives her a very bright screen, lots of memory (she dl's books and songs that she can enjoy during breaks), and more then adequate battery for a 12 hour shift. For software, look at these sites (she's currently running the 5 Min. Peds exam, and a drug reference book that also matches what her hospital uses).

Skyscape
Pocket PC city
Epocrotes
Med. School (not real certain about this one)


Her 568 would link with the hospital systems and has the capability to dl patient files so that she could directly enter notes then sync at the end of her shift, but they are looking into the privacy issue. considering that she was a complete computer newbie, she's latched onto her pda and really loves it. If you need more info, drop me a message and I can send you more sites or let you talk with my wife and see what she really likes and dislikes. good luck

Good info there, Lalakai. I was basing my conjecture off of my friend who is a paramedic who bought a Palm over a PPC because of the apps available for Palm. However, that was almost 2 years ago, so I'm not certain of the situation with the apps available for each platform at the present time. I'm thrilled that most of these apps are available for PPC now, since I'm a PPC whore.

 

[vegetation]

I would avoid the current Palms unless you're absolutely sure it's what you want. I disagree that a Palm is hard pressed to crash. Unless you only use the built in apps, lots and lots of the third party software can crash and burn as easily as on WinCe

 

[Michael1897]

thanks guys,
last night i didn't have a chance to get back online after i left work. most likely the pda will be used for research/lecture notes, working on presentations, and they are most likely going to link(network admins here) it into the scheduling so that doc's can see what patients they have sched. and the or timer so docs can see when there room is ready to go for surgery or if a doc is still in surgery.