HP 10bII
| Industry | Electronics, Computer hardware, Calculators |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 1, 1939 |
| Products | Calculators, Computers, Printers, Software |
| Website | www |
The HP-10B (F1636A), launched in 1987, is a business calculator designed primarily for students, positioned as a competitor to the more advanced RPN HP-12C. There were two editions produced: the initial model featured orange key inscriptions and was powered by an HP Saturn processor, while the 2000 revision displayed teal-green key labels; both versions offer the same operational features.
Its follow-up, the HP 10BII (F1902A), arrived in 2001 with updates in both design and internal architecture, incorporating a Hitachi H8-based CPU. The firmware underwent slight modifications, including a rearranged keyboard layout and a decrease in storage registers from 15 down to 10. Early manufacturing defects were rectified in subsequent releases. This model exists in two visual styles: the original "10BII" with a gold-colored bezel and mauve key markings, and a 2007 "10bII" edition distinguished by a silver bezel and blue labels; their functionalities remain identical.
In 2011, Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP 10bII+ (NW239AA) model 1, known as "Bluestar," which expanded the calculator’s capabilities by offering dual input modes—chain input for legacy compatibility and algebraic input that observes operator precedence. This version enhanced financial computations by including functions for bonds, break-even analysis, and depreciation, alongside advanced scientific operations such as trigonometric and hyperbolic calculations plus additional regression analyses. The hardware utilizes a flash-programmable Atmel AT91SAM7L128 processor based on an ARM7TDMI core.
A hardware revision occurred in 2015, upgrading to an Atmel ATSAM4LC2CA processor with an ARM Cortex-M4 core. Despite retaining the same part number and external design—with the exception of a "Rev 2" marking and serial numbers beginning with "PHA"—the flash interface was modernized from TTL serial to USB communication protocol.
It is important to note that none of the five HP-10B variants support RPN functionality.