How do you like the HP 34C?

[Dieter]

(09-25-2017 05:37 AM)Thomas Okken Wrote:  I'd say that the HP-67 was the ultimate LED-based HP calculator. Compared to the 34C, it lacks the numerical root finder and integrator, gamma, and continuous memory, but it has a card reader, and more than twice the memory of the 34C (224 program steps and 26 registers).

The 67 and 97 have almost twice the memory of the 34C. The latter offers 70 steps and 21 registers, i.e. 217 bytes while the 67/97 have 406. That's 1,87x the 34C memory. ;-)

Otherwise: yes, the 67 and 97 may be the ultimate HP LED calculators. But I'd also second the suggestion of a 41C/CV/CX. These definitely are in a class of their own. And much faster than both the 34C and the 67/97. But working with the limited ressources of the LED models can be fun as well. ;-)

As far as the 34C is concerned: This was my very first HP, bought exactly 37 years ago now. This was one of the "solderless" devices with clamped ICs. Back then I did not know about this and I never had any issues. Today the one or other display segment or digit may stay dark, and twisting the case a bit may fix it. Maybe the newer, soldered samples are better in this regard. The keyboard also does not feel like the one of the 41-series or the Woodstocks, the keys have to be pushed a bit harder. Compared with the 67/97 there is a more comprehensive function set, the really great Solve and Integrate functions, and continuous memory. This way you can keep your favourite programs in the calculator and they can always be used directly after turning the device on. That's something I'd definitely miss on a 67/97.

Dieter