HP 49G

HP 49/50 series
Company type	Product line
Industry	Graphing calculators
Predecessor	HP 48 series
Founded	1999
Founder	Hewlett-Packard
Defunct	2015
Fate	Discontinued
Successor	HP Prime (partial successor)
Headquarters	Palo Alto, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Graphing calculators (HP 49G, HP 49g+, HP 48gII, HP 50g)
Owner	Hewlett-Packard

The HP 49/50 series represents a line of graphing calculators by Hewlett-Packard (HP), serving as the successors to the HP 48 series. This lineup comprises five distinct models that support both algebraic and RPN input methods. Their advanced numerical and symbolic processing capabilities stem from an improved CAS, which evolves from the ALG48 and Erable systems found in the HP 48.

Highly regarded among professionals such as engineers, scientists, and surveyors, the 49/50 series caters to diverse fields including mathematics, linear algebra, physics, statistical analysis, numerical analysis, and computer science. Although production has ceased, these calculators maintain significant resale value due to ongoing demand.

HP 49G

Introduced in August 1999, the HP 49G (models F1633A, F1896A) incorporated robust mathematical functions and interface elements derived from the firmware of the HP 48 series. It supported on-device compilation and decompilation for both SysRPL and Saturn assembly languages.

This model was HP’s inaugural calculator featuring flash memory along with firmware that could be updated. Unlike earlier versions that came with soft protective pouches, the 49G utilized a hard sliding cover. Its internal hardware shared many similarities with the HP 39G and HP 40G models.

The final official firmware release was version 1.18, while unofficial updates extended up to version 1.19-6. Additionally, some firmware iterations developed for PC emulators were compatible with the original 49G up to version 2.09.

In 2003, HP made the source code for the 49G CAS available under the LGPL, which included an interactive geometry application and compatibility features for newer models. However, licensing terms prohibit redistribution of recompiled firmware images.

hp 49g+

The hp 49g+ (F2228A), launched by Hewlett-Packard in August 2003, featured a metallic gold exterior and maintained backward compatibility with the HP 49G. Produced by Kinpo Electronics on HP’s behalf, this calculator introduced a new processor architecture alongside USB Mini-B and IrDA infrared connectivity options, SD/MMC card support for memory expansion, and an enlarged display.

Its operating system ran an emulation layer replicating the older Saturn processor environment to ensure firmware compatibility with HP 49G software. Firmware updates incorporated specialized "Saturn+" instructions that allowed native execution on the ARM920T processor, significantly enhancing processing speed. This design retained binary compatibility with most HP 49G applications while preserving source-level compatibility with many programs from the HP 48 series.

Despite some emulation overhead, performance improvements ranged from three to seven times faster than its predecessor. The device also supported native ARM applications and included a port of the GNU C compiler (HPGCC), broadening its programming capabilities and appeal among technical users.

hp 48gII

Announced on October 20, 2003, the hp 48gII (F2226A) was not positioned as a direct successor to the HP 48 series despite its naming. Essentially a variant of the 49g+ equipped with an ARM processor, it featured reduced memory capacity, no SD card slot for expansion, a smaller screen size, slower clock speed, and firmware that was not flash-upgradable. This model targeted users desiring strong mathematical functionality without extensive program installation requirements. The original release included 128 KB of RAM and operated on three AAA batteries. A revised version released in 2007 increased RAM to 256 KB, added a USB Mini-B port, improved keyboard design, and switched to four AAA batteries for power.

HP 50g

Launched in 2006 and discontinued in 2015, the HP 50g (F2229A) represents the most recent model in the 49/50 series. This device marked a return to HP’s classic design language, featuring a black casing complemented by white, orange, and yellow keys for functions. The rear casing was enhanced with more pronounced texturing to improve grip. In 2009/2010, a high-contrast blue and white edition was introduced to accommodate users with color vision deficiencies, followed by a further refined version released between 2011 and 2012.

The HP 50g maintains the same physical dimensions as the 49g+ but operates on four AAA batteries instead of three. It incorporates all capabilities of the 49g+, augmented by the complete equation library from the HP 48 series and the periodic table library originally offered as an add-on for the HP 48S. Its memory configuration includes 2 MB of flash storage alongside 512 KB of RAM, with support for SDSC/MMC memory cards up to 2 GB (although display and formatting are limited to 1 GB). Connectivity features encompass USB Mini-B, IrDA infrared communication with an effective range of approximately 10 cm, and a proprietary asynchronous serial port that requires an external adapter to interface with RS-232.

The firmware builds upon that of the 49G model and continues to receive updates; the latest officially released version is HP50-C 2.15 from 2009. The keyboard utilizes an enhanced hinged key mechanism introduced late in the lifecycle of the 49g+ series, addressing earlier user concerns.

Unveiled worldwide in September 2006, the HP 50g was HP’s final calculator supporting RPL. Later models such as the HP Prime transitioned solely to RPN input, featuring an advanced variant known as Advanced RPN.

Programming

Calculators in the HP 49/50 series offer programming capabilities in both algebraic notation and a stack-oriented language called RPL, which merges elements from Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) and Lisp. RPL extends traditional stack-based programming by introducing lists and functions that can pass or return unevaluated code through the stack.

The highest abstraction level is User RPL, which consists of sequences of built-in postfix commands with optional looping and conditional structures. Each command performs validation on stack arguments and generates errors if arguments are missing or invalid.

Beneath User RPL lies System RPL (SysRPL), a lower-level language that omits argument validation and targets specific data types such as short or long integers, resulting in significantly faster execution. SysRPL also provides access to advanced functions unavailable in User RPL. Programs written in SysRPL can be compiled directly on the calculator using MASD, which also supports compiling Saturn assembly code as well as ARMv4T assembly on updated firmware versions of the 49g+ and 50g. A variety of tools exist to support this programming environment.

Assembly languages for both Saturn and ARM processors, along with C, can be developed using desktop compilers. For additional resources, see software related to the HP 48 series. Notably, no calculators in this lineup support programming with HP PPL.

HPGCC for the 49g+/50g

HPGCC is an implementation of the GCC licensed under the GPL, primarily designed for ARM-based calculators like the 49g+ and 50g. Earlier versions included support for other ARM models such as the 48gII, hp 39g+/HP 39gs/HP 40gs, but these were discontinued due to limited demand and compatibility challenges. HPGCC operates as a cross-compiler, running on personal computers while generating executable code for HP calculators.

The current HPGCC release defaults to ARM Thumb mode, which minimizes code size without significantly impacting performance. It supports most of the ANSI C standard and provides device-specific libraries granting access to features like the calculator’s RPN stack, memory management, and buzzer control. Although GCC’s core output is free from licensing restrictions, HPGCC’s libraries employ a modified GPL license that requires any linked programs to also be GPL-licensed, except for non-commercial software.

HPGCC is available across Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X platforms. The Windows distribution includes a version of Programmer's Notepad serving as a basic IDE.

Emulators

Multiple emulators have been developed for the HP 49G calculator. Among them, EMU48, which is embedded within the Debug4x IDE, replicates the majority of features found in the 49g+/50g models; however, it lacks the capability to execute ARM-based code.

For authentic ARM processor emulation of the 49g+/50g series, the x49gp emulator is available. It supports programs compiled with HPGCC versions 2 and 3 and is distributed as source code for Linux and Mac OS X, requiring users to compile it themselves.

The commercial software m48 also offers compatibility with the HP 49G. When it comes to mobile platforms, emulators are scarce; only HP 50g^[1] for iPhone and iPad (launched in 2012) provides ARM processor support.

There are emulators designed for Microsoft Windows Mobile devices, whereas Android alternatives currently do not support ARM emulation.^[2]

In 2012, Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP 50g Virtual Calculator emulator for Windows (versions 3.1.29/3.1.30), incorporating firmware 2.16 along with StreamSmart 410 compatibility.^[3]^[4]

Firmware updates

The 49/50 calculator series allows for firmware upgrades aimed at improving functionality or addressing bugs, with official updates provided by Hewlett-Packard. Additionally, unofficial firmware versions can be found through online sources.^[5]

External links

Official HP support for , , ,

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HP 49G

HP 49G

hp 49g+

hp 48gII

HP 50g

Programming

HPGCC for the 49g+/50g

Emulators

Firmware updates

See also

Further reading

External links