Finally bought an HP-41

[John Galt]

I remember Service Merchandise as well as I remember EduCalc, where I purchased my HP-41CX. I paid a lot more than $80 plus more for two X Memory modules and an electronic E6B module whose name I don't recall. The 41CX itself was about $300 I believe.

It got me through graduate level engineering courses. I had a friend with a red LED display HP (a 35-ish model but I don't recall exactly) who was jealous about the 41CX he couldn't afford, and we had "contests" among ourselves to see who could come up with solutions more quickly. It was always more or less a tie but I think I let him win most of the time. Of course we challenged our TI aficionados also but there was no contest. They invariably blamed their losses on bad keys (bounced / ignored) but us HP snobs knew the real reason was RPN's superiority. Thinking back, we were kind of dicks about it. They just couldn't afford HP.

The bad news is that I sold it :-( the good news is that I kept all original boxes and manuals and got more than my money back when I did some years ago. Sold it to someone in Europe who was ecstatic.

Even better news is I'm looking forward to the DM41 when it comes out, which ought to do everything the HP41CX did and more.

My 48GX is obviously far more capable but programming isn't as simple or enjoyable. Perhaps it was more challenging to get the 41 to do what I wanted, even though RPL is practically limitless in its capabilities. Strange how I reach for different calculators to do different things. They each have their strengths.