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HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C

hpcalcs.com

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Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C

#131

Post by cindyllm »

wolvoleo wrote: post #116
wolvoleo wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I understand. For me I just never could get my head around it. My brain doesn't work that way, and I'm the kind of person that always needs to bend their tools to them rather than absorb a new way of working. For example, I deeply hate opinionated software where you have to learn the workflow the developer intended. It can be powerful but I don't work that way. I have my own ideas how something should work and I…

@cindyllm: Tbh I don't buy much stuff anymore because most of the things don't fulfill my needs. I build my own stuff a lot, mostly software for now but I'm working on a special keyboard too.

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Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C

#132

Post by kstrauser »

ndiddy wrote: post #130
kstrauser wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What would you use it for? I’ve done plenty of 16 bit hex math back in the day so I can see some level of handiness there, but never quite got what it was meant for, or why someone would want a physical device for it. However, I’d love to hear more!

It's useful for anything where you have to deal with bits and bytes, for example programming a driver on a microcontroller or handling serial communications. It's also keystroke programmable, which means you can easily write a program that simulates the processor you're working on doing a series of bit operations, then run it on a bunch of different inputs to see if it works on the full range of inputs. Depending on…

And my eyes were opened. Ok, now I get it. I wasn’t even thinking about the programmability, but that makes perfect sense. Thanks for solving this mystery for me!

Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C

#133

Post by wolvoleo »

Tor3 wrote: post #122
kstrauser wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

RPN felt so weird and alien to me, and then one day I felt my brain pivot, and now it's the only method I can bear. RPN isn't just more efficient for the calculator to process. I mean, it is , but that's not the selling point. It's way more efficient to use . It requires the least number of keystrokes necessary to enter a formula, and never requires parentheses for grouping. You can start at the innermost nested, hai…

When I started studying electronics in 1975 I didn't have a calculator, they were very expensive. Then rumours started about an upcoming low-cost Texas Instruments calculator, and IIRC early 1976 I could buy one - the TI-30. As did many of my classmates. The next year or two I used that one, and other similar calculators which entered the marked. Then one day a guy some two classes above me handed me a HP calculator…

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Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C

#134

Post by WorldMaker »

sneak wrote: post #112
PeterStuer wrote: post #104

Who is the audience for this? I was a big fan of HP calculators at the time. Guilty of RPN snobbery and in posession of the passed by nth generation photocopy 'synthetic programming' document. I still have my 41CV even though it has not been turned on in 20 years. But a fake lookalike 'collectors edition' of a device that can have only nostalgic sentimental value? Why does this exist? Who falls for this?

It’s not a fake, it is made by HP. Also, it has value as a calculator, not just nostalgic sentimental value. It works just as well as the original. I own one because a while ago I bought, one by one, iconic world changing calculators to collect. I like having physical history. This re-release seems like a very nice bookend to that collection.

It is not made by HP, it is made by Moravia Consulting in the Czech Republic under an official license from HP. HP's Calculator Division hasn't been a part of HP's actual org chart since before even the HP/HPE split. It's the modern world thing where corporate brand names stopped aligning with corporate org charts decades ago.

Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C

#135

Post by juancn »

Joel_Mckay wrote: post #49
juancn wrote: post #7

Gosh I need one so badly. Used ones are up to about 500USD. Pity the international shop is down

hp48 is still on Android for free, as HP released the ROMs to public domain while they were still an awesome company. The unit converter is still very handy. =3 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.ab.x48&hl=...

I have a physical 48GX, a 50G,a 12C and even an LX200, but I always wanted a 16C.

The physical one, just because I kinda dig HP calculators.

Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C

#137

Post by mikestorrent »

vjvjvjvjghv wrote: post #96
mikestorrent wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if anyone wants my old red LED HP calculator... it's got some nice chunky buttons. HP-35 or something, ehhh. Looks like maybe $100.

I may actually be interested

Actually it's an HP 45. Nicer! Lots more functions. I need a new battery cover... maybe something to try 3d printing.

Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C

#139

Post by WildProxy »

russdill wrote: post #84
jamesgill wrote: post #34

I'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…

Dunno, I have a 15c limited edition (earlier run) and it's been great. My understanding is these are basically the same build as the modern 12c's

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Re: HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C

#140

Post by Innittech »

eschaton wrote: post #5

This is an HP licensee, not HP itself. Still nice to see, though the SwissMicros calculators are also very good and will be tough to compete with.

Yes a cash register company in Europe bought the HP calculator lineup and IP and produces them today. They have slightly changed, for example the battery compartment is now secured by a screw. The owner of Moravia (who bought HP calculators) is himself a personal fan of HP calculators which is how the brand got saved from being scrapped entirely. Many people hope they will bring back the 50g or something using RPL.

SwissMicros calculators are also now the host of a Free Software HP48/50G clone effort that is quite far along and usable already.

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