HP 10bII+
| Industry | Electronics, Calculators |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 1, 1939 |
| Products | HP-10B series calculators |
The HP-10B (F1636A), launched in 1987, is a business calculator tailored for students, positioned as a competitive alternative to the more advanced RPN HP-12C. Two editions were released: the initial model featuring orange key inscriptions and powered by an 1LU7 HP Saturn processor, and a refreshed 2000 version with teal-green key labels; both maintain the same set of functions.
Its follow-up, the HP 10BII (F1902A), introduced in 2001, brought both design and architectural enhancements, including an upgraded Hitachi H8 CPU. The firmware was modified slightly, incorporating a different keyboard configuration and decreasing the number of storage registers from 15 to 10. Initial production units experienced some quality concerns that were subsequently addressed. This model appeared in two visual styles: the 2001 "10B" edition with a gold bezel and purple keys, and the 2007 "10bII" variant featuring a silver bezel and blue keys—both retaining identical operational capabilities.
In 2011, the HP 10bII+ (NW239AA) model 1, nicknamed "Bluestar," succeeded the 10bII by adding a broader array of features. It offers dual input modes: chain input for compatibility with earlier models and algebraic input that respects operator precedence rules. Newly incorporated financial tools include bond calculations, break-even analysis, and depreciation methods, complemented by enhanced scientific functions such as trigonometric and hyperbolic operations as well as expanded regression options. This iteration utilizes a flash-programmable Atmel AT91SAM7L128 processor with an ARM7TDMI core.
The hardware of the HP 10bII+ was further upgraded in 2015 to an Atmel ATSAM4LC2CA processor based on an ARM Cortex-M4 core. Despite this internal change, the part number and external appearance remained consistent except for the addition of a "Rev 2" marking; serial numbers for this revision begin with "PHA." Moreover, the interface for flashing shifted from TTL serial to USB protocol.
None of these five variants provide support for RPN input.