Now I've bought my PDA is there anyway that I can use cmapecs charts that I have on my laptop? Any suggestions as to which software I would need (if it's possible) would be appreciated.
Dont think so.
The format you have on C-map ECS will be either CM93v1 or v2, probably running on ECS 4.1.
These are really full ECDIS compliant charts and not really designed for PDA's.
They are much happier on an IBS of a 10,000 ton freighter.
I think C-map do a version of NT+ for PDA's, I think I remember seeing somewhere.