Top three calculators ?

[dlidstrom]

(09-20-2024 10:06 AM)Thomas Klemm Wrote:  They are the same.

Ah, I didn’t note the second program. Remind myself to scroll when browsing through phone ☝?

[JeanMichelFleur]

The three top Hewlett-Packard calculators are User-RPL programmable and the pinnacle of HP Corvallis best products:

1. HP-28C
2. HP 48SX
3. HP 50g

Go ahead and verify that when introduced in 1987, HP-28C was the first computer to let you use the object oriented programming paradigm for the first time: using the new user Reverse Polish Lisp, while running Sys-RPL internally that could be accessed via SYSEVAL.

Also when HP-48SX introduced TIME, DATE and TSTR commands as well as alarms.

Finally, after improving the horrendous HP 49G keyboard defects, HP 50g included all previous commands including dual ALGebraic and RPN entry modes with the RPL> command (to rule them all in User-RPL while in ALG entry mode) since ROM version 1.05.

See User RPL programming in algebraic mode.

All of us are thankful of the titanic efforts from Corvallis Division and their legacy being preserved by the HP Museum and HP Calculator Archive created by Eric Rechlin.

If Christophe Dinechin could convince SwissMicros to make a mutually beneficial strategic alliance for running his DB50X masterpiece on the non existent calculator DM50 hardware with a non touchable color display, I would tell them: “Shut up and take my money!”

[vaklaff]

(09-21-2024 12:16 AM)JeanMichelFleur Wrote:  If Christophe Dinechin could convince SwissMicros to make a mutually beneficial strategic alliance for running his DB50X masterpiece on the non existent calculator DM50 hardware with a non touchable color display, I would tell them: “Shut up and take my money!”

As he told me in another thread just a few days ago: Ping them, again and again. At some point, maybe they will change their mind.

Looks like SM don’t think there’s a market for an RPL variant of their machines and need to hear it from us, potential buyers.

[pascal_meheut]

(09-21-2024 12:16 AM)JeanMichelFleur Wrote:  The three top Hewlett-Packard calculators are User-RPL programmable and the pinnacle of HP Corvallis best products:

1. HP-28C
2. HP 48SX
3. HP 50g

The software i.e. RPL is great. The hardware/ergonomics is not.
I have two 28s and a 48 and they are very powerful but not as "sexy" as a 15C or a 67. Nor do they offer the infinite possibilities of extensions of the 41C.

[John Keith]

(09-21-2024 09:36 PM)pascal_meheut Wrote:  The software i.e. RPL is great. The hardware/ergonomics is not.
I have two 28s and a 48 and they are very powerful but not as "sexy" as a 15C or a 67. Nor do they offer the infinite possibilities of extensions of the 41C.

Ergonomics are arguable but I personally think that the 48S is one of the nicest looking calculators ever made. While the 48 doesn't have HPIL, the 48, 49 and 50 do have a serial port which is arguably more useful in for those who don't own HPIL equipment. Where both the 41 and the RPL machines differ from older calculators is in having operations that are not directly available on individual keys. Though that may not be ideal ergonomically, I'll take the rich command set of modern calculators any day.

[pascal_meheut]

(09-22-2024 12:06 PM)John Keith Wrote:  Ergonomics are arguable but I personally think that the 48S is one of the nicest looking calculators ever made.

This is a matter of personal preferences of course. I find the keyboard colors harder to differentiate, the screen lacks contrast, the keys are ok but nothing special, etc.

(09-22-2024 12:06 PM)John Keith Wrote:  the RPL machines differ from older calculators is in having operations that are not directly available on individual keys. Though that may not be ideal ergonomically, I'll take the rich command set of modern calculators any day.

Yes and this is the limit of such calculators: they are incredibly powerful but too much functions with a classic keyboard make them less easy to use. At least the 41C had overlays.

But as I said, I respect your opinion.

[avsebastian]

(09-21-2024 12:16 AM)JeanMichelFleur Wrote:  The three top Hewlett-Packard calculators are User-RPL programmable and the pinnacle of HP Corvallis best products:

1. HP-28C
2. HP 48SX
3. HP 50g

mmm. ¿ hp 48SX is better calculator than hp 48gx?

Hp 48SX was a pioneer; but was a semi- finished product. It was quickly replaced by hp 48g series.

hp 48sx vs hp 48gx there is a big difference in the software.

Even a bigger one than there is between the HP 49G and the HP 50G (which in practice, only differ in hardware).


In addition, the HP 48G is the iconic HP calculator of the 90s and early 2000s. And the pinnacle of calculator use in complex calculations for work, before being replaced by spreadsheets on computers or PDAs or smartphones.

the hp 50g, a superior product (i love it), unfortunately it arrived late. It did not have the same relevance.

[johnb]

My current "Top Three?"

Ugh, why only 3? As you can see from my daily rotation, I regularly play with at least 10 different calculators.

But, okay, I'll play.

If I go by what's nearest on my desk and what actually gets more usage time than anything else in the last 2-3 weeks, they are (in no particular order):
* HP 15c (CE)
* HP 48g
* A toss-up between the HP 16c and the 32sII

If I factor in total usage time over, say, a 3 month period, then it becomes more difficult. I'd have to add in the WP-34s. It gets some usage if I need stat functions that the 48g or 50g don't have. And it gets all day heavy usage on any "Pathfinder Saturday." My oldest friends from my school days in the 1970's get together roughly once every 3-4 weeks for an all-day session doing old-school pencil-and-paper Role Playing Gaming. For that, I have set up the WP-34s in one of its program banks so that I have buttons assigned for dice rolls for all my character's various weapons and such. It makes it very fast for me to do the rolls, apply various +/- adjustments, and tell the GM the result.

[johnb]

(05-04-2024 06:31 AM)knife31 Wrote:  Mine was the HP-11C. I'm retired military and it's been with me all over the world. Next would be the HP-41CV then a toss-up between the HP-48GX or the HP-35S depending on the day.
RH

Always love to hear from other veterans!
What branch of the military, and which community / specialty?

[I'm a former Navy submariner -- nuclear power operator.]

[Keith Midson]

Oh that's a tough question ... for me personally:

HP28S - my first HP when I was studying engineering at Uni - learned to program RPL with this)

HP35S - I've become quite fond of this 'modern' machine, although i'm equally happy with a 32Sii or 42S and these tend to get rotated on my desk along with 48SX, or a 65 just for fun.

HP12C - I've got quite a few and there's always one on my desk now that I run my own company.

[DA74254]

I have followed this subject since it's beginning in 2018.
Really never found "my own" answer to the questions, so here's my list, based on the last few months of "active" use.

1 - SwissMicros DM32
2 - HP 15C CE (This one quicly rised up in the "top three" since I received it last week)
3 - HP Prime

I have several HP's and SM's in my collection (see signature), and the "top three" may change in the future. The 15C CE came in on the list almost immediately, but it, as mentioned, may change when the "new-gadget-euphoria" wears off.