[dbergstrom]

Any thoughts?

My medical residency gives me $500 to spend on "books", including handheld computers. I'm trying to decide whether to buy a Zire 71 or a Tungsten C.

About me:

1) I need memory for medical reference materials.
2) More speed is never bad.
3) I need a good screen to show off pictures of my upcoming new baby.
4) I already have a digital camera and a digital video camera - the Zire 71 camera is frosting for me.
5) I have an 802.11b network in my home, but will not pay the exorbitant fees to access T-Mobile HotSpots.

I appreciate your input.

[neilxu]

I choose TC if I have $500, no doubt.

[maxintosh]

The Tungsten|C is a MUCH better machine. 802.11b, at least for me, is huge. That said, the Zire 71 is also nice. It all depends what you need. I'd take wireless over a camera, though. My phone already has a digicam.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally posted by maxintosh:
The Tungsten|C is a MUCH better machine. 802.11b, at least for me, is huge. That said, the Zire 71 is also nice. It all depends what you need. I'd take wireless over a camera, though. My phone already has a digicam.

The Zire has a MUCH better screen.

[SupahCoolX]

Don't forget one important point: text input. The TC uses a thumb keyboard, while the Zire uses Graffiti. Most people hate one or the other. You may want to play with them in the store to see how you like each method (if you're unfamiliar with them).

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker:
The Zire has a MUCH better screen.

You're confusing the Zire 71 and the Tungsten|T. The Zire 71 and Tungsten|C actually share the same screen. The T|T is a bit dimmer -- I used to have one, but the T|C is as bright and crisp as they come.

[G-mac]

Congrats on the upcoming baby and residency!

I think I'd go for the C or W (phone would be nice). I'm actually ready to sell a new Zire 71, which I purchased to get the $50 rebate (trading in old Palm V, sold my old Palm VII). Soon after getting it, I decided to sell it and wait for a Tungsten C or something like it (no "allowance" here yet - still a student).

Our med school and nearby hospitals are starting to go wireless, so the C's WiFi would come in handy for some free web surfing, emailing, news reading, and database searches (Medline...). Plus, some hospitals are beginning to test software that allows docs to communicate with a central database wirelessly (prescriptions, drug info, patient records, etc).

I agree that those HotSpots are pricey, but at least with a WiFi device, you have the ability to use it if you need to whether for medicine or not. The keyboard on the W would come in handy by the bedside as well. The Zire's digicam is cool, but I think it makes the 71 a little bulky and Grafitti isn't the easiest thing to use when you're harried.

Anyway, good luck with your decision!