HP-10C
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Calculator manufacturing |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Hewlett-Packard |
| Products | Programmable calculators (HP-10C, HP-11C, HP-12C, HP-15C, HP-16C) |
| Owner | Hewlett-Packard |
The Hewlett-Packard Voyager series of calculators debuted in 1981 under the Hewlett-Packard brand. Each model in this lineup is programmable, employs Reverse Polish Notation, and features continuous memory. Although their designs are nearly indistinguishable, individual models were crafted to serve different user segments by offering distinct functionalities.
Models
The Voyager collection from HP calculators consists of five main models, some available in several versions produced over various periods:
- HP-10C – entry-level scientific calculator (1982–1984)
- HP-11C – intermediate scientific calculator (1981–1989)
- HP-12C – financial/business calculator (1981–present)
- HP-15C – high-end scientific calculator (1982–1989, 2011, 2023–present)
- HP-16C – programmer’s calculator (1982–1989)
HP-10C
Despite its numbering, the HP-10C was the simplest and last introduced model in the Voyager series. It targeted novice users seeking a programmable scientific calculator but was priced higher than many rivals. The HP-11C, offering double the functionality for a modest price increase, overshadowed it, leading to weak sales and a brief market presence. Consequently, the 10C remains one of the rarest units today.
HP-11C
Positioned as a mid-tier scientific programmable calculator, the HP-11C struck a balance between features and affordability.
HP-12C
The HP-12C stands as HP’s premier financial calculator and holds the record for the longest continuous production run since its launch in 1981. Its popularity inspired an updated version with enhanced capabilities known as the HP 12c Platinum released in 2003, alongside the HP 12c Prestige. Multiple commemorative editions have also been issued over time.
HP-15C
The HP-15C is a sophisticated scientific programmable calculator equipped with functions such as root-finding, numerical integration, complex arithmetic, and matrix calculations. Initially manufactured from 1982 to 1989, ongoing demand led to limited edition reissues in 2011 and again in 2023.
HP-16C
Designed specifically for programmers, the HP-16C supports debugging tasks and conversions among hexadecimal, decimal, octal, and binary number systems. It provides bitwise operations and bit shifting capabilities. Although HP has not released another dedicated programmer’s calculator since, many of the 16C’s functionalities have been incorporated into subsequent models.
Arithmetic
Hewlett-Packard collaborated with numerical analyst William Kahan from UC Berkeley, who played a key role in developing the IEEE 754 floating-point standard, to engineer the calculators’ numerical algorithms. He also contributed to authoring their documentation.
Programming
Calculators in the HP Voyager line are keystroke programmable, allowing users to capture sequences of keystrokes to automate problem-solving procedures. These programs support both conditional and unconditional branching as well as looping constructs, facilitating repetitive tasks and logical decisions.
Programming features differ among Voyager models as detailed below:
| Feature | HP-10C | HP-11C | HP-12C | HP-15C | HP-16C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSP / ← [F 1] | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| LBL[F 2] | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| GSB/RTN[F 3] | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| x≤y, x=0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| x=y, x≠y | No | Yes | No | Yes [F 4] | Yes |
| x<0, x≠0, x>y, x>0 | No | Yes | No | Yes [F 4] | Yes |
| x<y, x≤0, x≥y, x≥0 | No | No | No | Yes [F 4] | No |
| DSE, ISG[F 5] | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| DSZ, ISZ[F 5] | No | No | No | No[F 6] | Yes |
| SF, CF, F? | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| I (I)[F 7] | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
- ↑ Without BSP (backspace), program editing is limited to overwriting steps.
- ↑ Lacking LBL (Label) means goto commands can only target fixed program steps.
- ↑ Absence of GSB (Go Subroutine) / RTN (Return) prevents subroutine creation.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Accessible through the Template:Keypress Template:Keypress n (indirect) command
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Without DSZ/DSE (Decrement and Skip) and ISZ/ISG (Increment and Skip), programming loops is challenging.
- ↑ Enabled in HP-15C Collector's Edition via hidden "16" (HP-16C) mode.
- ↑ Without indirect addressing only registers 0–19 are accessible; this limits programming completeness.
Models
As of 2025, the HP-12C and its variants continue to be popular and remain available through Hewlett-Packard.
The HP-15C, which had been out of production for many years, was reintroduced in 2011 as a "Limited Edition," though this version has since been discontinued. It saw a brief revival once more in 2023 as a Collector's Edition.
Emulators
Hewlett-Packard offers official emulators for both the HP-12C and HP-15C, accessible commercially on Android and iOS platforms.
Simulators
A variety of software simulators exist that replicate HP calculators, including those from the Voyager series. Among these, the WRPN Calculator—an open-source simulation of the HP-16C—is one of the longest-running and most actively maintained projects.
Clones
Due to the sustained demand for the Voyager series, SwissMicros (previously known as RPN-Calc) introduced a collection of credit-card-sized calculators in 2011. These devices run original HP firmware on modern hardware platforms and include models such as the DM10, DM11, DM12, DM15, and DM16. While all share identical hardware, they differ in keyboard configurations and firmware versions, which can be updated through a dedicated port.
After releasing larger variants—DM15L, DM41L, and DM16L—in 2015, SwissMicros launched the DM11L in January 2016 followed by the DM12L in February. A limited edition of the DM10L was scheduled for production in 2019.
See also
- Bulk CMOS semiconductor fabrication technique used in HP Nut processors
Bibliography
External links
- MyCalcDB:
- SwissMicros Producer of HP calculator clones