Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

kharpster · 04-19-2015, 01:05 AM

HP's website has undergone some interesting changes with regard to the Prime. Not the least of which is that the product is currently out of stock, and there are multiple active web pages (via Google) with differing information. I wonder (and hope) if there is yet another version (with a readable keyboard) on the way. HP pretty much "screwed" their version A customers when they released version C with wireless and DataStreamer support. Having both versions available on the market at the same time and same price was not helpful either. They have also recently released an Android version of the Prime emulator without connectivity kit support (I tried, then uninstalled the app for a refund). I am not aware of any way to import existing programs other than to bring them to your Android device as text files and copy and paste them into the Prime (I am assuming the cut and paste functionality of the Android OS works on the Prime Emulator).

Marcio · (This post was last modified: 04-19-2015 01:12 AM by Marcio.)

They are available on Amazon too and it's actually a little cheaper there.

kharpster · 04-19-2015, 01:19 AM

Marcio,

Thank you, and yes, they are available on Amazon, and most of them for sale are version A and not C, buyer beware! My question and comments have nothing to do with where to buy them, but what if anything is HP doing now with regard to the Prime.

Marcio · (This post was last modified: 04-19-2015 02:16 AM by Marcio.)

(04-19-2015 01:19 AM)kharpster Wrote: My question and comments have nothing to do with where to buy them, but what if anything is HP doing now with regard to the Prime.

That is a very difficult question to answer. All we know is that HP is working on the next firmware update. Some people are especulating HP will release it with another version of the actual hardware to compensate for the not-so-easy-to-read orange and blue prints on the keyboard. But again, no one knows when or even if this will happen.

Marcio

Tugdual · 04-19-2015, 11:18 AM

I recently read that Hp was being restructured. Providing that in many occasions Hp employees told us that they were having a hard time to sustain the calculators activity, you may imagine what they are going through at the moment.

Marcio · (This post was last modified: 04-19-2015 11:49 AM by Marcio.)

For quite some time I thought HP would never release another graphing calculator. With TI being dominant in the US, I thought they had just moved on to other areas and left the 50g to be single and only competitor. To my surprise, they released the HP Prime, which is very powerful but still kinda odd and is not exactly as "professional" as the 50g is, a fact that left many of us frustated as we were expecting to see the 51g inside the Prime (I was, at least). Well, it's not and probably never will be. I only hope future FW updates will bring these two machines a little closer.

It's only fair as the 50g is now dying.

Tugdual · 04-19-2015, 02:45 PM

(04-19-2015 11:48 AM)Marcio Wrote: It's only fair as the 50g is now dying.

I would recommend anybody to buy one when it is still possible. This is in my opinion the best Hp once you have spent some time taming it.
This being said, I don't know how it compares with other calculators for non educational purposes.

Marcio · (This post was last modified: 04-19-2015 03:19 PM by Marcio.)

(04-19-2015 02:45 PM)Tugdual Wrote: I would recommend anybody to buy one when it is still possible.

Seconded, and while they're still on sale.

(04-19-2015 02:45 PM)Tugdual Wrote: This is in my opinion the best Hp once you have spent some time taming it.

Absolutely!

(04-19-2015 02:45 PM)Tugdual Wrote: This being said, I don't know how it compares with other calculators for non educational purposes.

Still the best, no doubt. The Prime might get more attention if the next firmware updates bring fixes and new features. I think it has lots of potential.

salvomic · 04-19-2015, 04:11 PM

(04-19-2015 03:18 PM)Marcio Wrote: Still the best, no doubt. The Prime might get more attention if the next firmware updates bring fixes and new features. I think it has lots of potential.

I agree (100%)!
And this forum sure will contribute to get the next firmware more impressive and the Prime more useful for everybody.

John Colvin · 04-19-2015, 07:46 PM

Let's hope that the next firmware improves the RPN functionality so that engineers and other professionals will adopt the Prime over earlier HP calculators that worked so well in the engineering and scientific fields.

factor · 04-20-2015, 03:20 PM

Agree that the Prime is very promising. And the market is full of education devices, many of us wanted a real engineering CALCULATOR.

Michael · 04-20-2015, 08:54 PM

(04-19-2015 07:46 PM)John Colvin Wrote: Let's hope that the next firmware improves the RPN functionality so that engineers and other professionals will adopt the Prime over earlier HP calculators that worked so well in the engineering and scientific fields.

I don't think that only RPN functionality will convice engineers and other professionals.
By the way: Is there already a consequent UNDO-functionality?

toml_12953 · 04-21-2015, 12:25 AM

(04-19-2015 02:15 AM)Marcio Wrote:
(04-19-2015 01:19 AM)kharpster Wrote: My question and comments have nothing to do with where to buy them, but what if anything is HP doing now with regard to the Prime.

That is a very difficult question to answer. All we know is that HP is working on the next firmware update. Some people are especulating HP will release it with another version of the actual hardware to compensate for the not-so-easy-to-read orange and blue prints on the keyboard. But again, no one knows when or even if this will happen.

Marcio

Oh, great! Now I'll hafta buy a THIRD Prime! Smile

Tom L

Marcio · (This post was last modified: 04-21-2015 12:51 AM by Marcio.)

(04-20-2015 08:54 PM)Michael Wrote: By the way: Is there already a consequent UNDO-functionality?

Yes, but it only works in RPN mode. The combination of keys are SHIFT and +.

(04-21-2015 12:25 AM)toml_12953 Wrote: Oh, great! Now I'll hafta buy a THIRD Prime!
Tom L

Why so many?

Allen · (This post was last modified: 04-21-2015 12:56 AM by Allen.)

(04-19-2015 02:15 AM)Marcio Wrote: ... not-so-easy-to-read orange and blue prints on the keyboard....
Marcio

I seem to recall similar comments about the HP32sii and the HP 48SX, still two of my favorites!!
[Image: 32sii_1017.JPG]

retoa · 04-23-2015, 01:04 PM

(04-21-2015 12:52 AM)Allen Wrote:
(04-19-2015 02:15 AM)Marcio Wrote: ... not-so-easy-to-read orange and blue prints on the keyboard....
Marcio

I seem to recall similar comments about the HP32sii and the HP 48SX, still two of my favorites!!

Orange and blue prints were easy to read on brown background. I have to admit the blue ones on white keys are not very readable by bad illumination.
Still I like the Prime very much.

Reto

timetraveller · 04-23-2015, 03:25 PM

Ditto with that. I have no problem seeing the blue and orange on my HP32Sii. With the Prime I need the help of a flashlight (torch). Pretty silly. That TI-84 Plus CE coming is looking better and better.

Bill

Marcio · (This post was last modified: 04-23-2015 03:46 PM by Marcio.)

(04-23-2015 03:25 PM)timetraveller Wrote: Ditto with that. I have no problem seeing the blue and orange on my HP32Sii. With the Prime I need the help of a flashlight (torch). Pretty silly. That TI-84 Plus CE coming is looking better and better.
Bill

Both the 50g and the Prime need good light conditions to be operated comfortably. In low light, the screen on the 50g is not very easy to read, same with the keyboard on the Prime.

Maro · 04-23-2015, 04:09 PM

(04-23-2015 03:45 PM)Marcio Wrote: Both the 50g and the Prime need good light conditions to be operated comfortably. In low light, the screen on the 50g is not very easy to read, same with the keyboard on the Prime.

the keyboard of the 50g blue is perfect. It is very good readable even for poor light conditions. IMHO the best readable keyboard ever made by HP

Gerald H · 04-23-2015, 04:10 PM

I regularly carp about the illegibility of the Prime key labels. Just took out my blue 50g, black 50g & 32SII - all in comparison quite easily legible.