HP 39gII
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Calculator manufacturing |
| Predecessor | HP 38G |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Hewlett-Packard |
| Products | Graphing calculators (HP 39g, HP 40g, HP 39g+, HP 39gs, HP 40gs, HP 39gII) |
HP 39/40 series represents a line of graphing calculators developed by Hewlett-Packard, succeeding the HP 38G. This collection comprises six distinct models, all offering algebraic input methods alongside varying degrees of symbolic computation. Designed primarily for high school learners, these calculators enable the transfer of APLETs or E-lessons through cable or infrared connections, facilitating enhanced mathematical understanding via graphical and numerical investigation.
HP 39g
Introduced in 2000, the HP 39g (F1906A) includes:
- CPU: 4 MHz Yorke (Saturn architecture)
- Connectivity: Proprietary infrared link, serial RS-232 interface
- Memory capacity: 256 KB RAM
- Display resolution: 131 × 64 pixels
- Comes with a protective hard cover
- Offers basic symbolic equation capabilities
HP 40g
Launched simultaneously with the HP 39g in 2000, the HP 40g (F1907A) runs on the same operating system but distinguishes itself through hardware and software variations. Sharing hardware with the HP 49G/39G family and equipped with a rubber keypad, it incorporates the sophisticated computer algebra system (CAS) called Erable from the HP 49G. Unlike the HP 39g, it does not support infrared communication and is limited to managing 27 variables. Its streamlined interface is tailored for basic mathematical tasks but restricts more advanced applications. The HP 40g is prohibited in several standardized exams such as the ACT, though it has been allowed on the SAT since 2019.
Key specifications include:
- Identical to HP 39g except for:
- Connectivity: Only serial RS-232 port, no infrared support
- Software: Features an equation editor and advanced CAS functionality
HP 39g+
Released in September 2003, the HP 39g+ (F2224A) brought performance enhancements with:
- CPU: 75 MHz Samsung S3C2410X (ARM920T core)
- Memory: 256 KB RAM, plus 1 MB flash storage
- Communication options: USB Mini-B port (compatible with Kermit or XModem protocols), IrDA infrared
- Power source: Three AAA batteries with CR2032 battery for memory retention
- Display resolution: 131×64 pixels
- Does not include a hard cover
- Symbolic equation support remains limited
Though it employs an ARM processor, its operating system closely resembles that of the HP 39g by emulating the Saturn CPU at a higher clock speed. The CAS present in the HP 40g is entirely omitted rather than simply disabled during startup.
HP 39gs
The HP 39gs (F2223A), introduced in June 2006, incorporates a 75 MHz Samsung S3C2410A (ARM920T core) processor, along with 256 KB RAM and 1 MB flash memory enabling firmware updates. It supports diverse communication interfaces including USB Mini-B port (compatible with Kermit or XModem protocols), IrDA infrared, and a four-pin asynchronous TTL serial port (RS-232 via adapter). Powered by four AAA batteries supplemented by a CR2032 backup battery, it features a display resolution of 131×64 pixels and comes with a hard cover. Its operating system runs by emulating the Saturn processor on ARM hardware, delivering improved speed over the HP 39g while maintaining limited symbolic equation functionality.
HP 40gs
Launched in mid-2006, the HP 40gs (F2225A) utilizes the same hardware as the HP 39gs, featuring a 75 MHz Samsung ARM920T processor. However, it distinguishes itself with advanced software functionalities. Equipped with 256 KB of RAM and an expanded 2 MB of flash memory, it supports sophisticated CAS software alongside an equation editor. Unlike the 39gs model, it does not include infrared communication capabilities.
HP 39gII
Debuting in October 2011, the HP 39gII (NW249AA) introduced an upgraded 80 MHz Freescale STMP3770 ARM926EJ-S CPU. It comes with 256 KB of RAM and a significant 128 MB flash memory, providing approximately 240 KB of usable RAM and up to 105 MB available flash space. The device sports a high-resolution monochrome display with a resolution of 256×128 pixels and supports USB-OTG Micro-AB connections. Its mathematical libraries were redeveloped in platform-independent C language for native processing, resulting in improved performance compared to prior emulated environments. The calculator employs a Pascal-inspired programming language that foreshadows the HP Prime’s HP PPL. Key enhancements include support for a stack depth of 128 levels and Unicode (UTF-16) encoding. Two minor versions exist, differing only in key labeling.
An enhanced "HP 39gII+" model incorporating CAS functionality was nearing release but was ultimately canceled after Freescale discontinued support for the processor. Consequently, HP shifted focus to developing a more advanced device that culminated in the color touchscreen HP Prime, which launched in 2013.
See also
- Comparison of HP graphing calculators
- HP calculators
- RPL character set
- newRPL (compatible with HP 39g+, 39gs, 40gs)