HP 42S / DM42 vs HP 48-series question

[martinot]

(02-16-2018 02:21 AM)polbit Wrote:  My HP calculator experience is deeply rooted in 28/48 series, and its flexible size and object-type stack. Forget the symbolic math or CAS for second - just looking at the fixed stack of a 42, especially the DM42 version with that great screen, what is it that makes people choose the 42 over 48?

Is it familiarity, muscle memory, or is there a genuine benefit for some/most operations, etc? I know a 48 is second nature to me, which makes a non-RPN calculator a no-go, but 42 seems to be a bit constricted as well.

Hope this isn't a religious topic As someone with no experience using one, I'm just interested in reasons and methods behind the 42 and its derivatives being so popular these days.

I prefer the DM42 for its smaller size and better portability. For best calculating power and options I prefer my 50g. When I do not want to bring those I take my 35s as a cheap and cheerful simple calculator.

I would LOVE for SwissMicros to do a 48/50 RPL with unlimited stack and symbolic math (i do not care for graphing at all) in a modern DM42 shell and screen - that would be the ultimate killer machine!