Black Screen 48 models

[edryer]

Hi there

i have just purchased a brand new boxed 48G for $70... I appreciate its limitations (32K/non expandable) but mostly will use for Linear Algebra as it has most of the functions I require (that I use on my current 50G) after checking the manual, and whilst on the subject of manual as it comes with a hard copy user guide I can use this with my 50G ))

My questions is:
Model is Singapore mid 1996... (serial starts 36) - is this a black LCD or did they come much later? the LCD looks pretty decent to me (from the photo, yet to receive the item from seller).

My impression was black LCD was after the year 2000... on Indonesian models....

Also, seems to have an imperfection on the bottom right of LCD... just noticed... hope not an issue!

Appreciate any feedback!

[Ken S]

The display looks blue to me.

[Thott]

(08-30-2019 10:19 PM)edryer Wrote:  Hi there

[.....]

My questions is:
Model is Singapore mid 1996... (serial starts 36) - is this a black LCD or did they come much later? the LCD looks pretty decent to me (from the photo, yet to receive the item from seller).

My impression was black LCD was after the year 2000... on Indonesian models....

[......]

Appreciate any feedback!

For sure this is a blue display.
A black one looks like the attached picture.
According to the serial# mine is from 2002 Indonesia.
From when HP build in the black LCD I don’t know.

[ijabbott]

(08-30-2019 10:37 PM)Ken S Wrote:  The display looks blue to me.

I see it as white and gold.

[rprosperi]

(08-31-2019 12:18 AM)ijabbott Wrote:  

(08-30-2019 10:37 PM)Ken S Wrote:  The display looks blue to me.

I see it as white and gold.

While not all may, I appreciated that.

Back to LCD colors....

I am not sure, but I suspect there were no 48G machines made with Black LCD. 48GX of course had them (all I've seen are from 2001+) , and also some late 48G+ as well, but I've never seen a 48G with Black, and I've been looking for quite a while.

According to Craig Finseth's database, both the GX and G+ were made until 2003, while the 48G ended in 1999, so all that is consistent.

So, can't say for certain, but likely no 48G were ever manufactured with Black LCD, though I suspect a few are floating around after LCD transplant surgery.

[Raymond Del Tondo]

Maybe these posts could help distinguishing between the different LCD types:
https://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap...ead=148691

https://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap...read=56518

[Massimo Gnerucci]

(08-31-2019 12:18 AM)ijabbott Wrote:  

(08-30-2019 10:37 PM)Ken S Wrote:  The display looks blue to me.

I see it as white and gold.

[edryer]

Many thanks for the replies.

Yes, it does definitely seem certain a blue screen, however after looking at variants of screens for the 48 series the screen on this version seems one of the better ones at least.

Whilst I infinitely prefer the aesthetics of the 48SX (including its physical logo rather than etched, seems the last of the well made generation) the screen on my old 48SX was so bad as to be almost unusable, how folk managed to use with such a screen back in the day is amazing because even then much better screens were available!

I am hoping to keep the 48G as a backup to my 50G, and use the manual with my 50G as I like paper manuals...

[TomC]

Some display history here:

https://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap...i?read=991

TomC

(08-30-2019 10:19 PM)edryer Wrote:  Hi there

i have just purchased a brand new boxed 48G for $70... I appreciate its limitations (32K/non expandable) but mostly will use for Linear Algebra as it has most of the functions I require (that I use on my current 50G) after checking the manual, and whilst on the subject of manual as it comes with a hard copy user guide I can use this with my 50G ))

My questions is:
Model is Singapore mid 1996... (serial starts 36) - is this a black LCD or did they come much later? the LCD looks pretty decent to me (from the photo, yet to receive the item from seller).

My impression was black LCD was after the year 2000... on Indonesian models....

Also, seems to have an imperfection on the bottom right of LCD... just noticed... hope not an issue!

Appreciate any feedback!

[Thott]

(08-30-2019 10:19 PM)edryer Wrote:  Hi there


[....|]..

Also, seems to have an imperfection on the bottom right of LCD... just noticed... hope not an issue!

Appreciate any feedback!

It seems that it is a damage if the polarization foil. In this area is nothing to display so I guess it’s not a big problem. Only a cosmetic defect.....

[edryer]

(08-31-2019 04:38 PM)Thott Wrote:  

(08-30-2019 10:19 PM)edryer Wrote:  Hi there


[....|]..

Also, seems to have an imperfection on the bottom right of LCD... just noticed... hope not an issue!

Appreciate any feedback!

It seems that it is a damage if the polarization foil. In this area is nothing to display so I guess it’s not a big problem. Only a cosmetic defect.....

thanks for the information, don't mind defect if it will not get worse? should I be worried or will it stay the same? calc is unused after 23 years only opened to test! so perhaps no need to worry?

thanks again!

[Thott]

(09-01-2019 01:00 PM)edryer Wrote:  thanks for the information, don't mind defect if it will not get worse? should I be worried or will it stay the same? calc is unused after 23 years only opened to test! so perhaps no need to worry?

thanks again!

I am not a specialist, but I think it will not get worth. If it would be a damage of the LCD you should see a colour change in this area. So I think it’s only a damage of the polarisation cover.

And if nothing happened during the past years, why should it now starts to give problems......

[TomC]

It appears that I've found the first known Black LCD HP48 (on the auction site):

ID11000058
(week 10 of 2001)

If you search 'HP48 black', perhaps you will find it.

Perhaps Megarat would like to update article 991.

TomC

(08-31-2019 04:15 PM)TomC Wrote:  Some display history here:

https://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap...i?read=991

TomC

(08-30-2019 10:19 PM)edryer Wrote:  Hi there

i have just purchased a brand new boxed 48G for $70... I appreciate its limitations (32K/non expandable) but mostly will use for Linear Algebra as it has most of the functions I require (that I use on my current 50G) after checking the manual, and whilst on the subject of manual as it comes with a hard copy user guide I can use this with my 50G ))

My questions is:
Model is Singapore mid 1996... (serial starts 36) - is this a black LCD or did they come much later? the LCD looks pretty decent to me (from the photo, yet to receive the item from seller).

My impression was black LCD was after the year 2000... on Indonesian models....

Also, seems to have an imperfection on the bottom right of LCD... just noticed... hope not an issue!

Appreciate any feedback!

[Jlouis]

So far, there is no original 48G black LCD.

Only 48G+ and 48GX.

But the blue LCD screen can be swapped for a black LCD, just find the right donor.

For me the best graphical calculator ever[/align], not speaking about speed or capacity.

Cheers

JL

[edryer]

Calculator has arrived at my parents will collect tomorrow, a little bit annoyed by the polarizer issue on the edge, but as is minor, and 23 years old (!) as Thott mentioned it shouldn't get any worse...

I learned most stuff operating my 50G from the pdf of the 48G user guide from 1993, so, just having the hefty user guide is worth it for me buying a new device boxed, nice to hold a paper copy. Hated the 50G guide and all its algebraic nastiness (confusing me).

I had a 48SX and another 48G (I think I posted on this some years back). The 48SX was slightly heavier, subjectively more sturdy, of course had a physical label (unlike the 48S as well) and seemed better made than the 48G ever so slightly but had a far worse screen of course. I was crazy and sold the 48SX+128K RAM Card for $30 (the auction site)... and gave the 48G to a thrift store.... this time I am going to keep!

[Massimo Gnerucci]

(09-02-2019 08:51 PM)TomC Wrote:  It appears that I've found the first known Black LCD HP48 (on the auction site):

ID11000058
(week 10 of 2001)

If you search 'HP48 black', perhaps you will find it.

Perhaps Megarat would like to update article 991.

TomC

(08-31-2019 04:15 PM)TomC Wrote:  Some display history here:

https://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap...i?read=991

TomC

Ooops, never paid too much attention to those serials, but I have a b&w 48GX: s/n ID106019xx
:)

[edryer]

picked up calculator from folks.

the lcd imperfection turned out to be a bit of "stuck" plastic... perhaps from the original protective plastic sheet when new still remaining? As it seemed very lightly sticky in a static sticky sort of way.

after carefully removing (it was lodged on the edge of the lcd) lcd now perfect!

My guess is brand new 48's came with a thick protection transparent pull off sheet and a bit remained... curious!

[TomC]

Wow! Looks like the first known!

TomC

(09-03-2019 06:05 AM)Massimo Gnerucci Wrote:  

(09-02-2019 08:51 PM)TomC Wrote:  It appears that I've found the first known Black LCD HP48 (on the auction site):

ID11000058
(week 10 of 2001)

If you search 'HP48 black', perhaps you will find it.

Perhaps Megarat would like to update article 991.

TomC

Ooops, never paid too much attention to those serials, but I have a b&w 48GX: s/n ID106019xx

[dmh]

I've also been trying to work out the likelihood of a black screen based on serial number and, for the records, I can report that I have a 48GX with black HCD with serial starting with ID910, week 10 of 1999.

(09-03-2019 03:18 PM)TomC Wrote:  Wow! Looks like the first known!

TomC

(09-03-2019 06:05 AM)Massimo Gnerucci Wrote:  Ooops, never paid too much attention to those serials, but I have a b&w 48GX: s/n ID106019xx

[Kiwi]

Are you sure it's not one of the 'LCD transplanted' models like Bob mentioned ?
The first 'real ones' I've seen are from 2001 onwards.

(03-05-2023 12:27 PM)dmh Wrote:  I've also been trying to work out the likelihood of a black screen based on serial number and, for the records, I can report that I have a 48GX with black HCD with serial starting with ID910, week 10 of 1999.

(09-03-2019 03:18 PM)TomC Wrote:  Wow! Looks like the first known!

TomC