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HP calculators

From Alfawiki
Hewlett-Packard calculators
Company typeProduct line
IndustryElectronics, Calculators
Founded1972
FounderHewlett-Packard
FateLicensing rights transferred to Moravia Consulting spol. s r.o. (outside Americas) and Royal Consumer Information Products, Inc. (within Americas) on 1 November 2021
Headquarters
Palo Alto
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
William Hewlett (motivated development of HP-35)
ProductsScientific, engineering, and financial calculators including HP-35, HP-12C, HP-41 series, HP Prime and others
OwnerHewlett-Packard (until 2021), then Moravia Consulting spol. s r.o. and Royal Consumer Information Products, Inc.
ParentHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.

HP calculators represent a series of calculators manufactured by Hewlett-Packard spanning multiple decades.

This product lineup encompassed desktop units such as the HP 9800 series and portable devices starting with the HP-35. HP primarily targeted the premium segment of scientific, engineering, and financial calculators.

History

During the 1960s, Hewlett-Packard broadened its scope from electronic test instruments and scientific measurement tools into the computing sector. Spotting an opportunity to streamline calculations for its clientele, HP set out to replace conventional slide rules and adding machines with electronic calculator solutions.

The company launched the HP 9100 desktop scientific calculator, which provided basic functions alongside advanced features such as floating-point calculations, trigonometric operations, logarithms, exponentials, and square root extraction.

Following this achievement, William Hewlett motivated his engineers to create a compact calculator suitable for pocket use. This initiative resulted in the pioneering HP-35, delivering extraordinary scientific capabilities within a handheld format.

Over subsequent years, HP introduced calculators with diverse mathematical functions, programmability options, and input/output interfaces. Several models were designed to interface with other HP equipment through HP-IL connections, thereby increasing their effectiveness in professional settings.

On 1 November 2021, Moravia Consulting spol. s r.o. (outside the Americas) and Royal Consumer Information Products, Inc. (within the Americas) acquired licensing rights from HP Development Company, L.P., taking over responsibilities for the creation, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and support of HP-branded calculators.

Characteristics

HP calculators are distinguished by their implementation of reverse Polish notation (RPN). Programmable variants empower users to craft personalized programs that extend their utility for specialized commercial and technical tasks.

Calculators

Presented below is a compilation of significant HP handheld calculator models illustrating their market focus and technological progress:

  HP-55   '75                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | HP-65 HP-67 HP-71B HP-80 HP-97 HP-300S+ HP Prime
Product Year Description
HP 9g 2003 Graphing calculator developed by Kinpo Electronics, Inc.
HP 9s 2002 Scientific calculator manufactured by Kinpo Electronics, Inc., sharing design with the 9g and 30S
HP-10 1977 Basic four-function calculator equipped with a printer; utilizes standard arithmetic input (no RPN)
HP-10B 1987 Financial calculator aimed at business professionals
HP-10C 1982 Programmable scientific model featuring range entry and statistical computations
HP-10S+ 2012 Algebraic scientific calculator powered by dual sources with a two-line dot matrix display
HP-11C 1981 Programmable scientific calculator including hyperbolic functions, gamma function, statistics, and random number generation
HP-10s 2007 Scientific calculator offering over 240 integrated functions with a two-line LCD screen
HP-12C 1981 Programmable financial calculator; HP’s longest continuously produced model with multiple versions since 2008
HP-14B 1988 Financial calculator delivering twelve-digit precision and algebraic logic encompassing 130 functions
HP-15C 1982 Advanced programmable scientific calculator supporting extensive numerical methods and matrix operations including complex numbers
HP-16C 1982 Calculator designed for computer science applications featuring binary arithmetic, base conversions, and Boolean logic functions
HP-17B 1988 Financial calculator succeeding the HP-12C; includes two-line alphanumeric display and enhanced Solve functions; powered by HP Saturn chipset
HP-18C 1986 'Clamshell' business calculator based on RPL architecture
HP-19B 1988 Financial calculator model
HP-19C 1977 RPN calculator incorporating thermal printer and programming capabilities with looping and branching
HP 20b 2008 Financial calculator supporting RPN input
HP-20S 1988 'Basic' scientific calculator using infix notation; limited programmability
HP-21 1975 'Simplified' version of HP-25 aimed at budget-conscious consumers
HP-21S 1989 'Algebraic keystroke programmable' variant
HP-22S 1988 'Algebraic scientific/statistics' focused model
HP-25 1975 'Compact programmable device allowing up to 49 program steps; HP-25C introduced continuous memory feature
HP-27S 1988 'First pocket calculator exclusively using algebraic notation; included algebraic solver, statistical and financial functions along with approximately 7 KB programmable memory
HP-28C 1987 Scientific graphing RPN calculator; first HP graphing device introducing Forth-like RPL programming language, symbolic equation solving, and book-style layout
HP-28S 1988 Expanded version of HP-28C featuring 32 KB user memory and file system for variables, functions, programs; precursor to HP-48 series
HP-29C 1977 Programmable RPN model supporting looping/branching language; cost-effective alternative to HP-19C printer variant
HP 30b 2010 Programmable financial calculator supporting Black-Scholes equation and ARM processor; accommodates RPN, chain algebraic, and standard input methods
HP 30s 2000 Calculator designed by Kinpo Electronics, Inc.
HP-32E 1978 Non-programmable scientific model
HP-32S 1988 Programmable scientific device; later updated as HP-32SII
HP 33s 2003 Successor to HP-32SII developed by Kinpo Electronics
HP-33C 1978 Programmable scientific successor to HP-25 series
HP-34C 1979 Programmable scientific model first to incorporate integration and root-finding capabilities
HP-35 1972 World’s first pocket scientific calculator introducing transcendental functions
HP 35s 2007 Advanced programmable scientific model commemorating the HP-35 anniversary; supports both algebraic and RPN modes with up to 32 KB RAM programmability
HP 38G 1995 Simplified graphical calculator utilizing infix notation
HP 39G 2000 Successor to HP-38 featuring infix notation
HP 39gs 2006 Follow-up to HP 38G without RPN support
HP 39gII 2011 Successor to HP 39gs featuring high-resolution display and localization for Chinese market
HP 40G series 2000 Enhanced successor to HP 38G adding computer algebra system capabilities; design similar to HP 39G
HP-41 series 1979 Three models (41C, CV, CX) offering user-customizable programs/memory, alphanumeric displays, expandable ports for peripherals/software enhancing business functionality
HP-42S 1988 Non-expandable follow-up to HP-41 series with two-line dot-addressable display including built-in matrix and complex number math
HP-45 1973 Improved version of HP-35 adding memory registers and additional functions
HP 48 series 1990 Programmable graphic calculators favored by engineers; introduced filesystem from HP-28S along with real-time clock and programmable alarms for automated processes
HP 49/50 series 1999 Upgraded graphic successors to HP 48 series; later models produced by Kinpo Electronics
HP 50g 2006 Latest iteration in the HP 49 line featuring ARM processor, larger screen size, SD card compatibility

First programmable pocket-sized calculator supporting up to 100-step programs stored on magnetic cards.

Upgraded version of the HP-65.

Handheld device programmable in extended BASIC featuring RAM filesystem, plug-in ROM modules for I/O peripherals, advanced mathematics including matrix operations and complex numbers; supports diverse business applications.

Second handheld unit designed specifically for business use incorporating time value of money calculations and depreciation features.

Desktop printing variant of the HP-67.

Dual-powered algebraic scientific calculator equipped with multi-line LCD presenting expressions in textbook format.

Sophisticated graphing "smartphone competitor" featuring color touchscreen interface, CAS system integration, multiple input modes (RPN/algebraic/textbook), exam mode compliance (SAT), color graph animation capabilities, plus wireless connectivity.


External links

  • HPMuseum.org A museum dedicated to slide rules and prominent HP calculators
  • HPCalc.org Resources and software related to HP programmable calculators
  • — Video archives from the HP Handheld Conference starting in 2011
  • MyCalcDB An extensive directory of HP calculators
  • Calc Pages Collections of articles and programs for vintage HP calculators
  • Programmable Calculators Specifications and information on the majority of HP models
  • HPDATAbase A detailed database covering all HP calculators
  • A collaborative wiki focused on HP calculators and related materials
  • — An all-encompassing repository of PPC calculator resources

Simulators

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