DM41x vs DM42 from an HP48/50 user perspective

[vertab3]

Hello everyone, new here.

I have used HPs starting in high school with 28C/S and progressed with 48/49/50 series. From CAS (less important now) to some deep system RPL programming, I always enjoyed tinkering with them, however as life happened I haven't really done much with them in quite a while. For reference, I have never actually used a 41 or 42 except to check out Free42 on my phone.

Ok, finally, my question. For programming and tinkering with it (ignoring speed difference), would DM42 still be a better choice, or does DM41X allow for deeper programming (assembler?), etc? Just looking for some feedback for someone new to both platforms...

THanks!

[Garth Wilson]

I'm not familiar with the 42; but see if this topic helps:
https://hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-16134.html

[rprosperi]

If the goal is to write programs to calculate numbers, the DM42 is better; it's much faster, much high precision, and has more advanced language constructs (though still far simpler than RPL) however for simply exploring the system's guts, using assembler, using (or just exploring) pre-made applications, etc. then the DM41X is a far better choice, with literally hundreds of times more ROMs, applications, books, technical articles, etc.

[vertab3]

Thank you both, I think the best solution is to get both as it seems both have their unique benefits

[TomC]

Hp42 has more seamless complex number handling.
.

TomC

(08-24-2021 06:02 PM)vertab3 Wrote:  Hello everyone, new here.

I have used HPs starting in high school with 28C/S and progressed with 48/49/50 series. From CAS (less important now) to some deep system RPL programming, I always enjoyed tinkering with them, however as life happened I haven't really done much with them in quite a while. For reference, I have never actually used a 41 or 42 except to check out Free42 on my phone.

Ok, finally, my question. For programming and tinkering with it (ignoring speed difference), would DM42 still be a better choice, or does DM41X allow for deeper programming (assembler?), etc? Just looking for some feedback for someone new to both platforms...

THanks!

[BillBee]

(08-25-2021 11:35 AM)vertab3 Wrote:  Thank you both, I think the best solution is to get both as it seems both have their unique benefits

Good choice. I did the same. After months with the 42 I had to get the 41, each has areas which shine. No regrets.

If you haven't done so search out the WP34s and WP43s.

-Bill

[Sukiari]

(08-24-2021 06:02 PM)vertab3 Wrote:  Hello everyone, new here.

I have used HPs starting in high school with 28C/S and progressed with 48/49/50 series. From CAS (less important now) to some deep system RPL programming, I always enjoyed tinkering with them, however as life happened I haven't really done much with them in quite a while. For reference, I have never actually used a 41 or 42 except to check out Free42 on my phone.

Ok, finally, my question. For programming and tinkering with it (ignoring speed difference), would DM42 still be a better choice, or does DM41X allow for deeper programming (assembler?), etc? Just looking for some feedback for someone new to both platforms...

THanks!

Unless you’re using real spiffy tricks there’s little reason to choose the 41.

[rprosperi]

(08-28-2021 06:17 AM)Sukiari Wrote:  Unless you’re using real spiffy tricks there’s little reason to choose the 41.

I have to disagree here. About 500 reasons immediately come to mind, the application and system extension modules for the 41C family!

OTOH, if you are simply writing your own programs in FOCAL, as I suspect Sukiari is, then I'd agree the DM42 is better.