An HP-42SII...Would HP go for it?

[Matt Agajanian]

Hi all.

In the hopes that RPN is not scheduled to be put in the Old Age Home, what would it take for HP to introduce the birth of a very capable HP-42S-- >32K RAM, perhaps SD card support but, most importantly, the entire 42S catalogue/function/features set. If it's not too much to ask, double-precision (or some other level of robust) calculation accuracy.

Since the 42S posessed the pinnacle of function set and programming functionality, I think a revitalised, souped up 42S would be a fantastic HP product.

So, it it possible HP could be persuaded that it's time for a new 42S?

[Massimo Gnerucci]

Still waiting for Xmas?

[Matt Agajanian]

Y'know...many a Christmas have come & gone. Not even The Great Pumpkin brought about a 42S II. So, methinks the WP-34S fills the bill. Right?

[Massimo Gnerucci]

(04-21-2014 07:56 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  So, methinks the WP-34S fills the bill. Right?

Think so, until the 43S cometh.

[Matt Agajanian]

(04-21-2014 08:03 PM)Massimo Gnerucci Wrote:  

(04-21-2014 07:56 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  So, methinks the WP-34S fills the bill. Right?

Think so, until the 43S cometh.

Sounds like a plan.

But, to get back to the other matter, our beloved RPN--although the 35S is still in production and 12C & methinks the 12C and 17B II+ will still retain an RPN option, does HP plan to retain RPN as a non-graphing calc entry method (although we still have RPL for the 50G)?

[Dave Britten]

HP probably wouldn't go for it, but I sure as hell would.

[Matt Agajanian]

(04-21-2014 11:00 PM)Dave Britten Wrote:  HP probably wouldn't go for it, but I sure as hell would.

You said it!!

[Don Shepherd]

If I were a betting man, which I'm not, I'd bet that in two years HP will be out of the calculator business. Maybe one year.

[Matt Agajanian]

Shame, shame! The 50G's such a stellar performer. I'd hate to think HP's last blaze of glory was/is the 50G. Personally, I would loved to have seen something like that 51G that was idealised here at MoHPC a while ago. Remember this topic: HP-51G

[walter b]

(04-21-2014 08:53 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  ... does HP plan to retain RPN as a non-graphing calc entry method ... ?

Only HP knows.

And for the original topic, please go to the archives and read about the 43S from its very beginning (hint: that story starts well before the WP 34S project). ThereAFTER, if you THEN still got questions, feel free to return.

d:-/

[Matt Agajanian]

(04-22-2014 04:02 AM)walter b Wrote:  

(04-21-2014 08:53 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  ... does HP plan to retain RPN as a non-graphing calc entry method ... ?

Only HP knows.

And for the original topic, please go to the archives and read about the 43S from its very beginning (hint: that story starts well before the WP 34S project). ThereAFTER, if you THEN still got questions, feel free to return.

d

Okay. Thanks.

[Jake Schwartz]

Quote:HP probably wouldn't go for it, but I sure as hell would.

Hi,

At a few of the annual HP calculator conferences, Richard Nelson recalled the story of when he was working for EduCalc in California and the HP-42S was being sold. In our circle of HP fanatics, the machine was revered, and EduCalc promoted it in their quarterly catalogs, sold a good number and considered it a success. However, when HP eventually announced in 1995 that they would stop manufacturing it, Richard inquired why and was told that it was a relatively poor seller overall and that EduCalc was selling just about as many if not more than all other dealers combined. Perhaps it was due to lackluster marketing? Considering that HP also released the 28S and 48S and G series during that same time, their commitment to RPL over RPN at the top end might have had something to do with it as well.

It is fairly certain that no HP calculator employees from the 42S' time frame remain on the calc team, but the feeling I get is that it was remembered "internally" as a less-than-successful experiment. If it had full I/O like the 41 series which it succeeded, maybe history would be different.

Jake

[Matt Agajanian]

You'd think, with close to 8K of RAM, an I/O architecture would be a natural design feature. Honestly, who wants to rekey a 400 step program into a calc (although you could enter a program partially and take a break and then add some more steps and so on)?

[Les Bell]

(04-23-2014 10:12 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  You'd think, with close to 8K of RAM, an I/O architecture would be a natural design feature. Honestly, who wants to rekey a 400 step program into a calc (although you could enter a program partially and take a break and then add some more steps and so on)?

Amen! [Whistles, stamps feet, loud applause, etc.]

Never mind a 42SII. All the action is around the 41C - the 41CL, NoVRAM, Clonix, the various mass storage options, all the modules and peripherals still trading on TAS, etc. The 42, although a fine number-cruncher, never reached the frenzied level of activity that surrounded the 41, and (some would say) still does.

[HP67]

Yeah but they haven't brought back the 41 either.

What the world seems to need is a small form-factor (32/41/42) non-graphing model with RPL, big memory and micro SDHC card support, and a nice display, all in the familiar HP heavy duty case with a good keyboard. And don't forget the connectivity options (IR, serial, USB).

[Massimo Gnerucci]

(04-24-2014 05:25 AM)HP67 Wrote:  Yeah but they haven't brought back the 41 either.

What the world seems to need is a small form-factor (32/41/42) non-graphing model with RPL,(...)

I don't need RPL, at all.

[anetzer]

(04-24-2014 12:34 AM)Les Bell Wrote:  Never mind a 42SII. All the action is around the 41C - the 41CL, NoVRAM, Clonix, the various mass storage options, all the modules and peripherals still trading on TAS, etc. The 42, although a fine number-cruncher, never reached the frenzied level of activity that surrounded the 41, and (some would say) still does.

Which is why the functionality of the USB-port - or in some weird dream: bluetooth module - on the 43S will be crucial! We will never again see card readers and other calc-centric peripherals. They will use smartphone accessories or be deaf blind and numb...

[walter b]

(04-24-2014 06:06 AM)anetzer Wrote:  

(04-24-2014 12:34 AM)Les Bell Wrote:  Never mind a 42SII. All the action is around the 41C - the 41CL, NoVRAM, Clonix, the various mass storage options, all the modules and peripherals still trading on TAS, etc. ...

Which is why the functionality of the USB-port - or in some weird dream: bluetooth module - on the 43S will be crucial!

There won't be a bluetooth module on the 43S for reasons explained by Eric today in another thread. USB and SD will be.

And yes, the HP-42S is a powerful pocket number cruncher lacking I/O - the HP-41C* is a playground due to its interface(s) but not pocketable.

d:-)

[Ángel Martin]

the 42 is a good example of what happens when a (supposedly large or at least including independent sections) development team doesn't align well all its moving parts. The software is perhaps the best RPN code ever made, a clear quantum leap from the 41 and the 15C - yet the hardware enhancements were limited to a saturn architecture and a second line on the display... while removing all the I/O capabilities.

What were they thinking, who knows.... but regardless, with the source code thrown away and its lackluster sales track record it's more than unlikely we'll ever see a resurrected 42 from HP *ever*.

[Ángel Martin]

(04-24-2014 06:32 AM)walter b Wrote:  ... the HP-41C* is a playground due to its interface(s) but not pocketable.

d:-)

Large pockets... will travel!