This is cool, but I am a HP-42S forever person
HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
71–80 of 140 posts
Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
#72I did never use a 16C, but I have a 42 at home and use it very often. It goes so far, that I also have the 42 app on my phone as a replacement for the default calculator app. I am using RPN, and I think I'm the only one in my age category that does (at least none of my friends who studied ever heard of RPN) - it's such a superior way to calculate. I usually have problems to work with a "regular" calculator due to bei…
My HP-42S is still running strong 30 years later
Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
#73I'm a lifelong fan of HP calculators. I have a 15c in front of me right now that I've had since the mid-ish 80s. Still works perfectly. But the 15c 'Collector's Edition' had some issues, and I wonder about the build quality and reliability of this new one, too. Plus: my guess is you can get an original working 16c on eBay for less than this is going to cost. Honestly, it pains me to say it but I'd recommend a SwissMi…
My wife and I were mid '80s chemical engineers. She liked her 15c, but I went on afterward into fundamental numerical analysis and was extremely happy with my 32S. I recently asked qwen3.6:35b|qwen3.6:27b|gemma4:31b (can't remember which one) all about the current state of replacement LR44 batteries for an "HP 32S Scientific Calculator". It was fucking adamant, aggressively so, that the calculator required 1 battery. LOL no, it sits before me and yes it needs 3. A 6 pack cost I dunno $6 off AMZ? Anyway I have now replaced the batteries in my daily tactile basic algebra calculator for the third time. If I don't have it in hand I use Free42. I... regret not remembering how to program these things, it was so intellectually elegant.
I logged on for the first time in a while to actually talk about nerd things. God I loved the 80s-2000.
Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
#74Earlier quoted context omitted.
Most of the point is the button-feel, though. If I'm just gonna use a computer, I might as well use a full REPL.
I use hp48 app on the iPhone. Obviously it does not have the tactile feedback of the original. But it’s a far cry from using on a desktop with a mouse. Using a REPL as a replacement does not mimic the experience, I don’t think. Not for me at least. Mind, I’m talking a generic REPL. Like a CL REPL or similar, obviously not some custom calculator REPL. First off, you’re missing the stack, which is significant. CL can a…
If you want to use a REPL as a pleasant calculator you really want an APL-family language or a modern concatenative language like Factor. Sexprs are horrendously verbose in comparison.
Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
#75I need to unload my bomar mx100 calculator.
But my 11c is still perfect.
Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
#76HP calculators were an important part of my formative years. I have a 12C, 15C, and 16C (all original models). I also have an HP-35 (red LED digits) within reach right now. That was the calculator I used for high school exams, because we weren't allowed "programmable" calculators so I had to go a bit retro for the time.
The 16C was an interesting model. It had a lot of potential capability with the different word sizes and bitwise operations, but I think it fell short in practice because the operations it could do just weren't that useful.
My favourite model is the 15C, it got me through four years of math, physics, and computer science university classes. The integration and matrix functions were super useful because it was hard to do some of that stuff in your head.
Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
#77Earlier quoted context omitted.
The originals (I still have my 1987 HP-15C) used silicon-on-sapphire technology, normally used for space, that ensured the amazing battery life. The keyboard domes had a complicated fabrication process to ensure optimum feel. The keycaps were double shot for durability. No modern calculator is going to be made to that standard, it would cost at least $1000.
I’d pay that much, but alas.
They can be found on ebay.
Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
#78I would love a programmers' calculator but I really hate RPN. I wish they would make one without it. Back in the day they did it for efficiency. But that's no longer an issue these days. I do still have a mint HP48GX but never use it for the same reason. The successor the 49 had normal math as an option but it was not as iconic.
I felt the same and got a Casio CM-100 that has similar functionality. Not as nice as the HP but it does the job. Much cheaper too if you can find one.
Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
Most of the point is the button-feel, though. If I'm just gonna use a computer, I might as well use a full REPL.
I use hp48 app on the iPhone. Obviously it does not have the tactile feedback of the original. But it’s a far cry from using on a desktop with a mouse. Using a REPL as a replacement does not mimic the experience, I don’t think. Not for me at least. Mind, I’m talking a generic REPL. Like a CL REPL or similar, obviously not some custom calculator REPL. First off, you’re missing the stack, which is significant. CL can a…
‘dc’ has been a thing on Unix forever. It uses RPN, provides arbitrary precision arithmetic, and is programmable.
Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C
#80This must be the original "mac vs Windows" divide: I could never get my head around HP calculators. TI all the way. SR-52, TI-59/58. Sinclair if budget was tight. That said, I do have an HP-85C...