Error with exponential fractions

[kcnicho]

The Primes result is IN ERROR. I did this same calculation on Wolfram Alpha and TI-Nspire, both of which gave correct results.

The Prime is an awesome calculator, the best hardware HP has had in many years. However, if you cannot RELY on it giving CORRECT ANSWERS, which is kinda the whole point of a calculator, then, well, what's the point??? It's fine for a toy, but when you really need the correct answer, stuff like this will make me think twice before using it for anything really important. If there's any doubt in the users mind (and there are many other choices available) they will reach for one of those other devices they have more confidence in.

If you already know the correct answer (at least enough to know the Prime is giving the incorrect answer) then you probably didn't really need the calculator for that problem in the first place. You use a calculator to give you correct answers to stuff you DON'T already know!

I really want to like this calculator. I want to be able to rely on it like I did my HP15C & the many models after that. But the Prime just seems to have these basic problems with its CAS, that I'm wondering whether I can rely on it at all?

Is this a result of HP outsourcing its quality control and error checking to the end users due to the expense of doing it properly in house, and dedicating the required resources?

C'mon folks, lets get with the program. I challenge HP and the Prime Team to make this calculator what it could (should) be; the best, most accurate handheld computing device for mathematics available. Period. We're not going to get there with errors like this!