HP-48S vs. 48G vs. 42S

[Raymond Del Tondo]

So if you decide to go for an HP 48G+ or GX, I'd strongly suggest trying SpeedUI. The latest version offers a "lite" version, which will run in a 32K RAM machine.

There was no update this year so far, since the weather was too nice to stay indoor, nonetheless I'm still supporting SpeedUI. A reduced version for the SX is in the works, too;-)

[JDW]

(07-03-2016 04:04 AM)Raymond Del Tondo Wrote:  So if you decide to go for an HP 48G+ or GX, I'd strongly suggest trying SpeedUI. The latest version offers a "lite" version, which will run in a 32K RAM machine.

There was no update this year so far, since the weather was too nice to stay indoor, nonetheless I'm still supporting SpeedUI. A reduced version for the SX is in the works, too;-)

But if SpeedUI Lite requires only a 32k device why then must it be an X model? Why wouldn't a 48S, or even a 28S work?

[rprosperi]

(07-03-2016 06:25 AM)JDW Wrote:  But if SpeedUI Lite requires only a 32k device why then must it be an X model? Why wouldn't a 48S, or even a 28S work?

The 48SX is lacking some of the OS functions (which were added with the GX) used by SpeedUI, and the 28S is missing even more of these needed functions.

[JDW]

(07-03-2016 12:27 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  The 48SX is lacking some of the OS functions (which were added with the GX) used by SpeedUI, and the 28S is missing even more of these needed functions.

I must assume it would either be too difficult or insufficient RAM to add those needed functions.

[rprosperi]

(07-03-2016 12:44 PM)JDW Wrote:  I must assume it would either be too difficult or insufficient RAM to add those needed functions.

For the 48SX, Ray has said he is considering a version of SpeedUI with reduced feature set. I imagine demand from 48SX users that want it would help Ray decide if it's worthwhile doing so.

I presume a SpeedUi version for 28S is not feasible as the 28 RAM and ROM is very limited compared to the 48 (including essential memory management features) but also demand for a 28S version is surely far lower as there are so few 28S users today, compared to 48 users.

[JDW]

(07-03-2016 01:09 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  ...demand for a 28S version is surely far lower as there are so few 28S users today, compared to 48 users.

Perhaps. But we HP-28S users are fiercely loyal. I've been using mine since college, having purchased it in early 1990. :-)

[rprosperi]

(07-03-2016 01:11 PM)JDW Wrote:  Perhaps. But we HP-28S users are fiercely loyal. I've been using mine since college, having purchased it in early 1990. :-)

No disrespect intended! I get it, using a machine you know extremely well is often faster and more efficient than a faster and more efficient machine.

The improvements in the 48 series f/w, the form-factor and speed lead most 28 series users to upgrade, plus the poor battery door design means few 28's are still working reliably, resulting in a relatively smaller (but as you say, fiercely-loyal) number of users.

When I have serious number crunching to do (rare these days, but on occasion) I will always reach for a machine I know well, rather than a "superior" machine which could likely do it faster and better.

[snrowe]

(07-03-2016 04:04 AM)Raymond Del Tondo Wrote:  So if you decide to go for an HP 48G+ or GX, I'd strongly suggest trying SpeedUI. The latest version offers a "lite" version, which will run in a 32K RAM machine.

There was no update this year so far, since the weather was too nice to stay indoor, nonetheless I'm still supporting SpeedUI. A reduced version for the SX is in the works, too;-)

Thrilled to hear a SX version is in the works!