HP-50gII Discussion (split from 15c CE thread)

[LinusSch]

(08-30-2023 12:46 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  ... BASIC as programming language, at least as an alternative. Otherwise I'm rather not interested. And I think the calculator is not old enough yet for a "collector's edition". Maybe in twenty years.

A 50gii isn't really of interest to a collector, I guess. I'm no collector. The 46 is the only calculator I've ever wanted to have that I don't really have a practical use for, one of extremely few things at all falling into such a category (all of them being shining examples of what I consider especially great design).

But every time the topic is even hinted at there are quite a few of us who really really want it. Not for collection reasons, but for practical use, for fear of our originals biting the dust and not being able to replace them. Few tools can reach the level of irreplaceability that the calculator that took you through engineering school has - and if it was an RPL calculator, doubly so, it seems.

Nothing else does the same things in a similar enough manner. Granted, I haven't tried C47 or Plus42 yet, apparently they do handle units in some sort of similar way. But can you use units when solving an equation with those? Do they have periodic table with all the atomic weights in them? And whatever other feature that is in this absolute tour-de-force of a professional calculator and became a tightly integrated part of the way someone does their work, carries out their profession, applies their expertise.

Why not add BASIC to the list. It is, for some tasks, a pretty good language. But it would be very finicky to actually write on one of these keyboards so I'd much much rather have a modern incarnation of a 71b for that. Unless, maybe, the calculator has a nice system for easily switchable overlays, including a storage compartment for them!