28 Jun
2009
28 Jun
'09
12:33 a.m.
Ian King wrote:
I bought my HP48SX for two reasons. One was that I
needed the sort of computation it could provide (e.g. matrix calculations) in a small unit
with a clean user interface. The other was that it was the last model (as far as I could
tell) that had the correct color for its buttons and logos. :-) I used TI programmables
back in the late 70s because they were more affordable, but always lusted after the HPs.
I completely agree that there is a visceral pleasure in holding and using an
original-series HP programmable calculator. It demonstrates that while a general purpose
computer is not simply a souped-up calculator, a souped-up calculator has significant
value. Even today.
I'm going to go get my SX and do some calculations... because I can. -- Ian
I got a 48GX for my 15th birthday and used the hell out of it through
college. (The color scheme's not as nice as the SX, I'll agree.) I'd
still use it today, but the LCD screen has started "leaking" -- there's
a neat blotchy pattern on the screen now which unfortunately makes the
screen rather hard to read. Probably not much I can do to fix it other
than find a replacement calc... (unless someone knows where to find
replacement LCDs...)
Picked up a 50G a couple years back and I like it... the keys aren't
quite as nice (and I really miss the big ENTER key) but the screen is
much nicer (better contrast & slightly better resolution) and it's
considerably faster. It's too bad HP basically gave up the calculator
market to TI, there's been no interesting innovations in the graphing
calculator market since the TI-92 came out in 1996 or so... but maybe
there wasn't much more to do there before they became general-purpose
computers.
The 48 still feels nicer in my hand. Those things were built like
tanks. Most of the weight of the 50G is in the batteries :).
The iPhone HP calc emulations are neat, but I can't imagine using one
(or any other touch-based calc) for any length of time unless I had
nothing else on hand. The lack of tactile feedback is a big turn-off
for me.
Josh