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In my last article I wrote about shopping for a new computer.

I’ll bet some of you went right out and got a really cool new system, and some of you decided to stick with your current computer for the moment.

If you’d like hang on to your existing PC or Mac but need to breathe a bit more life into it, this article is for you. Here are some basic and easy-to-do upgrades that will greatly improve your computer experience.

Adding more space

If your current PC or Mac is running great but you’re running out of storage space, you might just need to add a hard drive. They’ve gotten quite inexpensive! If you fear opening your computer’s case, you can get an external drive that simply plugs into a USB port. A one terabyte drive (1,000 megabytes) costs anywhere from $90 to $170 online.

Speeding up a slow computer

If your PC is running a little slowly, I’d first recommend tuning it up with a program like Norton Utilities. It costs about $60 and allows you to install it on up to three computers. This automates repair and maintenance functions; just tell it to start and the program finds errors and fixes them automatically. It will also clean up leftover temp files that are cluttering up your system and taking up space. This is a great way to avoid system crashes and keep your system running smoothly, and you don’t need to be a computer geek to use it. Just tell the program to clean up your system, and it will.

Adding memory is a great way to speed up any computer. There are many types of memory; knowing all the correct specs for your system can be quite challenging. I recommend getting memory online from crucial.com. This site has an app on it that will check your system and see what type of memory you need. If you use it, Crucial guarantees the memory you buy will be the correct type for your system.

I recommend buying memory in 1GB or 2GB sticks; a computer only has two to four slots for holding memory, so adding it in big chunks allows more memory to be installed with fewer slots used. For example, if your computer has four slots for memory inside and one of them holds a 512MB stick of memory (which is half a gigabyte), it would make more sense to add a 1GB stick rather than two more 512MB sticks. You’ll have the same amount of installed memory when you get through, and you’ll still have two slots open for later expansion if needed. You might even get a 1GB stick for nearly the same price as the smaller size!

Note that we’re talking about system memory here. This is the memory the computer uses to complete tasks and run programs. It’s totally different from storage memory (i.e., a hard drive) that is used to store programs.

Upgrading your monitor

Another great upgrade whether you have a PC or a Mac is a bigger monitor, especially if you’re replacing an older, heavier CRT with a light, sleek, flat-screen LCD monitor. I got a Samsung 24-inch wide-screen monitor a few months ago for about $250 online from newegg.com. It even has a TV tuner built in so it doubles as a desktop HDTV!

These upgrades are easy to perform and can really enhance the performance of your existing computer. Keep in mind that if you think you need to do all three of these upgrades, it might be more cost-effective to just get a new computer. Read my last article for tips on how to do that! If you’re in doubt about what you need, consult a PC expert or visit the Genius Bar at your nearest Mac store.

I know several nurses who have used their tax refund to purchase a new computer. Here are some tips to help you get the most for your money.

First of all, how do you know when it’s time to buy a brand-new computer?

You may consider just breathing new life into your existing computer with some upgrades (more memory, bigger hard drive, bigger monitor, etc.). This can be a good strategy to save money and get the most out of your investment. But when you need several upgrades to get your system current, the cost approaches that of a new system. That’s when you know it’s time to take the plunge and purchase a new computer.

Here are three tips to get a good deal:

1. Research, research, research. Go online and look at different models of PCs from different manufacturers to get an idea of what’s out there and the prices. Compare these to what the stores in your area are selling. You may very well get a better deal online. You’ll certainly have a wider selection to choose from. At a home electronics or office supply store, you’ll be limited to the brands they sell and what models they actually have on the sales floor the day you shop.
2. Go big. Smaller PC shops can be a bargain, but I recommend this for experienced PC buyers/users only. Local shops typically buy parts in bulk and build their own generic PCs. This is good if you know exactly what type of components you want; otherwise, it may be too difficult to pick the right stuff. You also want to have some confidence that they’ll still be in business if you need service six months down the road, because when you buy a generic “OEM” (original equipment manufacturer) PC, the builder (not Microsoft or some other company) is responsible for providing you with technical support. If they go out of business, you’re on your own.
3. Do NOT DIY. Building your own PC is not recommended unless you’re a tinkerer and good with electronics. Don’t get me wrong, building PCs is fun—all of mine are homemade—but it’s delicate work with lots of opportunities for ruining the entire project with one little oversight. Besides, you still spend about the same amount of money building your own. The big advantage you get is control over everything your PC is made of.

When shopping at a big computer manufacturer’s Website, you’ll see prices listed for a base system. Once you pick one, you’re presented with lots of opportunities to add stuff on. Know what’s important to get and what isn’t! Here’s a handy guide:

• A faster processor. If your last $100 is going to be spent on either this or extra memory, I say get the faster processor—because adding memory later is easy, compared to upgrading the processor. Memory slots are easy to get to on a PC; the CPU socket, not so much. I’m not saying to skimp on the memory, but if you’ve already got 2 GB in there, upgrade the processor. CPU speeds are listed in gigahertz—faster is better. You’ll hear about multiple-core processors. They divvy up the workload among several cores within the CPU chip; this makes the PC run cooler and process tasks more efficiently.

• Hard disk size. Get the biggest hard disk size you can afford. You’ll need it to store things like electronic copies of nursing CEUs and papers you’ve written if you’re attending (or going back to) nursing school. Hard drives are dirt cheap these days, and today’s programs and files take up lots of space—especially if you use a digital photo or video camera. Video files can get huge especially fast.

• External hard drive. While you’re at it, buy an external hard drive and use it for backing up your important files and settings. Some external drives already come with software for this purpose, or you can get a good backup program like Norton Ghost. No one ever wants to take the time to do this, but trust me—if your system ever crashes and takes out your nursing license renewal application (or all the digital photos you’ve ever taken of your kids), you’ll be glad you did! You should be able to get a 500 GB external drive for less than $100. Even if you’re not getting a new PC, you should do this—it’s great for headache prevention. I know.

• Monitor. Again, get a bigger one if you can afford it, but also get one that has good clarity. A crisper display will be better in the long run; looking at an ever-so-slightly fuzzy monitor gets old real fast. The higher a monitor’s maximum resolution is, the better. It’s expressed in dots-per-inch like this: 1280×1024. The larger the monitor’s size, the higher those numbers should go. These days, online continuing education includes graphic images of procedures and imaging studies. As a nurse, you’ll appreciate being able to view them clearly. I recently bought a 24-inch widescreen monitor that also has a TV tuner and functions as an HDTV. I can switch between watching TV in high-def and the computer by pressing a button on the included remote control, and it only cost me about $250 online. [editor's note: I just picked up a Samsung Syncmaster 24" LED monitor at Costco for a GREAT price and not only is the display gorgeous but it uses much less energy than a regular LCD monitor. Something to consider!]

• Mouse. Upgrade to an optical one, unless you already have a favorite you’ll be reusing. Optical mice use LED light beams, not balls and rollers, so dirt doesn’t get tracked up into the mouse. A wireless mouse is also a nice touch. But don’t spend a lot on this; you could just as easily take the free mouse that comes with the system and then shop for a really nice one at a local office supply store. They’ll have a much wider selection.

• Antivirus software. This is one thing you definitely DO need. In this day and age, not having it is just not an option. Most systems come with this, as well as a trial subscription to virus definition updates. Do NOT let this expire! If you do, your system’s protection will be out of date within a few weeks, and you’ll get a virus before you know it!

• Fax modem. If you want to be able to “fax” documents from home, you could get this add-on card that installs in your PC. It should be less than $50. But if you’re planning on buying an all-in-one printer/copier/scanner/fax, then skip the internal PC fax modem—you won’t need it.

• Bloatware. Beware of bloatware. These are trial programs and special offers loaded onto your PC. There’s actually a program out now called the Decrapifier, which rids new PCs of this junk.

• Other add-ons. When you order your PC, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase add-on software bundles for a variety of programs; some might be useful, but most will not. Also FYI: Microsoft Works is not the same as Microsoft Office. Don’t be fooled. If you can’t afford Office 2007, consider trying openoffice.org; it’s an Office 2007-compatible suite of software, and it’s free!

Remember to keep your receipts! You’ll need them if your system ever requires warranty service, and depending on your situation, you might be able to deduct the cost on your taxes as a business (or nursing school) expense. Check with your tax adviser.

One last thing: PLEASE keep all the disks and manuals that come with your system! Tuck them away someplace safe, in a big manila envelope or box so they don’t get lost. If your system ever crashes, you’ll need them. So will your PC geek neighbor when you ask him to help fix your ailing system. Having been that guy, I know that having those disks available is a huge time-saver (and headache preventer)!

PDAs, on the other hand, are handheld computers without phone capability. PDAs, in fact, started the handheld computing phenomenon.

Best PDAs for Nurses

So what’s the best PDA for nurses? This is tricky, as PDAs are becoming obsolete.

If you really don’t want a device that contains a phone, then I would recommend either the Palm TX (Palm OS) or the Dell Axim X51 (Windows Mobile OS). I have both of these PDAs and they work well. They may be harder to find as time goes on. These PDAs are no longer offered for sale directly from their manufacturers, though they do still offer technical support.

Also, you can probably find one of these devices “new in box” on eBay or a similar site at a great price. These are good choices for bargain hunters, or for those who are unsure about this whole handheld computing “thing” and want to check it out without spending a lot of money or signing up for cell phone service.

Best Nursing Apps for PDAs

Using a PDA as a clinical reference tool at work is a great way to save time and practice more efficiently. If you’re interested in adding some clinical apps to your device, check out the list below for a list of best apps, my favorites, plus some medical software sites to begin your search.

• CollectiveMed.com – Medical PDA Software for Palm and Pocket PC
• Emergency Central Handheld
• Handheldmed – Connect with the Future of Medicine Today
• pdamd.com – Medical and Nursing Software, PDA and Smartphone Resource for Today’s Mobile Healthcare Professional
• Skyscape Home
• Unbound Medicine PDA, Wireless & Web Software for Healthcare
• USBMIS – Accelerating the Speed of Science and Medicine

Andy’s favorites Nursing Apps (available for both smartphones and PDAs):

• Epocrates Essentials. I like that it’s concise, and the drug interaction checker is terrific. It also comes with a bevy of medical calculators. I use several of these throughout each workday.

• 5 Minute Clinical Consult (5MCC). This is a great clinical reference. I got this because the iPhone version of the Epocrates software doesn’t have it; instead they use a proprietary reference source that they create in-house. You can get 5MCC from several different software vendors. I got mine from Unbound Medicine. I also like that if I ever choose not to purchase a subscription renewal, the basic reference will still be available and usable on my iPhone, it just won’t download program updates anymore.

PDA Medical Software

• Epocrates PDA Medical Software – Medical and Drug Software for Palm & Windows PDAs

• Lexi-Comp, Inc.

• PEPID – Portable Healthcare Expertise

Writer’s note: Smartphones and PDAs come in many shapes and sizes, and finding the one that works best for you is a highly individualized process. Feel free to take my recommendations with a grain of salt.

Smartphones are more cutting edge than handheld computers, and are usually thinner and lighter. They can be used to access a variety of clinical applications that can improve your workplace efficiency.

But if you don’t want to have a calling plan attached to your device, you can get an iTouch (you can use any iPhone app with it) or a PDA (my recommendations here).

What are the different types of smartphones, what types of programs are available to help you provide better patient care, and what’s my pick for the best overall smartphone? Read on to see!

Pros and Cons of Popular Smartphones

Apple’s iPhone

The iPhone is one of the most popular smartphones today. Its sleek design and the large number of applications (“apps”) available have made this device immensely popular. Still, some people don’t like that you can only get apps from Apple’s store, and others dislike that the iPhone is only available on the AT&T Wireless network. The iPhone uses the Apple operating system (OS).

Pros and cons of the iPhone:

• Pros: Sleek interface. Thousands of apps to choose from. Good access to a variety of email account types (POP3, Gmail, etc.). This device is very popular right now.
• Con: Apps only available through Apple’s iTunes app store; larger-size apps require a Wi-Fi connection to update.

Motorola’s Droid and Nexus

Several devices have come out recently hoping to unseat the iPhone as the leading smartphone. These include Motorola’s Droid and the Nexus, aka the “Google Phone.” Both use Google’s Android OS.

Pros and cons of the Droid and Nexus:

• Pros: Good alternatives to the iPhone for users who don’t want to sign with AT&T.
• Cons: Not a lot of medical apps written for this OS yet.

BlackBerry

The BlackBerry is a brand of smartphone known for its intuitive design features and outstanding email support in corporate environments. It’s marketed to the business power user but has found widespread popularity among personal users as well. There are lots of models of BlackBerry to choose from; one of these, the Storm, has a touch screen similar to the iPhone.

Pros and cons of the BlackBerry:

• Pros: Intuitive features (e.g., trackball); can be set up to send a text message directly to a colleague’s BlackBerry without going through a network (useful for when you’re both inside an area with poor cellular coverage—you can still text each other, even without a network connection).
• Cons: Web browser is lacking compared to other smartphones.

Palm Pre and Pixi

Palm Corporation, maker of some of the first PDAs, has reinvented itself recently with a new operating system (Web OS) and some sleek new smartphones such as the Pre and Pixi.

In addition to these, a large number of smartphones made by various manufacturers use Microsoft’s Windows Mobile OS. While the phones themselves differ widely in appearance and phone features, the OS is similar and offers a familiar functionality that’s been popular for several years now.

Pros and cons of the Palm Pre and Pixi:

• Pros: With a new interface and OS, this is a whole new brand of Palm. Palm pioneered the PDA/smartphone concept in the 1990s.
• Cons: Old Palm OS apps require a third-party program to run on these new devices; even then, they run in a smaller window within the screen.

So what’s my (humble) recommendation for best smartphone ? Apple’s iPhone 3GS. Simply stated, this is the phone everyone is trying to beat. It looks great, works well, has loads of apps, and the 3GS model even accepts voice commands and lets you shoot video. With 16 or 32 GB of memory, it’ll take you a while to run out of room. [Editor's note: Rumor has it that a new iPhone is being announced in June].

Application for Nurses

A variety of clinical applications are available for these devices. Some are free, some have a one-time cost and others require you to pay a recurring subscription fee. With so many choices, where do you start? I recommend the following types of apps:

• A drug reference program. I use mine on a daily basis to check prescribing dosages and indications, side effects, contraindications and drug interactions. Some good drug references include Epocrates and Lexi-Drugs (both available for all major handheld operating systems).
• A general clinical reference. My favorite is The 5-Minute Clinical Consult. It’s available from several software vendors, including Unbound Medicine and Skyscape. Epocrates and Lexi both offer clinical references with premium versions of their products. PEPID is another good reference suite.
• A dosing calculator. MedCalc is a good one that’s also free! Some drug reference programs also contain drug calculators.
• A general medical calculator. This type of program helps you with a variety of non-drug clinical calculations such as body mass index, pregnancy due date and predicted peak flow.

If you do have a PDA, please read my guide to the best clinical apps for your device.

Writer’s note: Smartphones and PDAs come in many shapes and sizes, and finding the one that works best for you is a highly individualized process. Feel free to take my recommendations with a grain of salt.