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

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

#81

Post by kstrauser »

wolvoleo wrote: post #54
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…

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…

Nah, I get it. I have a streak of stubbornness, too. Just saying, in this specific case, the odd way to do it has real, genuine advantages and isn't just odd for the sake of being odd. It's not so much an opinion as a philosophy.

If the opportunity arises, I urge you to try making yourself use it for a few days and powering through it. If that a-ha moment comes to you, it changes how you look at arithmatic in general. Or it may never happen, and that's OK, too.

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

#84

Post by russdill »

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

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

#85

Post by shoopadoop »

calmbonsai wrote: post #29

An HP 48S was my constant companion during engineering school and RPN was a lovely introduction to elegant expression-scaling. The specific ergonomic feel of those buttons remains unrivaled.

Oh yeah. You can bang out your inputs so fast and with so much confidence on those keys.

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

#87

Post by chem83 »

a_e_k wrote: post #42
fmajid wrote: post #26

Earlier 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 loved the keyboard on my HP-48G. It had such a nice crisp tactile feel to the key presses - a bit of snap - that I got to where it could usually operate it by touch without looking. (These days it's stored safely away with batteries removed, so I don't use it that much anymore. For convenience, I usually just use either Droid48 on my phone, or Emacs Calc at my computers.)

The LCD screen polarizer may eventually detach[0][1], effectively ruining the screen. Unfortunately, it's not easily replaceable. I think it's not impossible the enthusiast community will eventually come up with a solution, but until then I'd use your 48G as much as you can. After it's done, either get a Prime while they still sell on eBay or get a SwissMicro 42n for similar keyboard feel and nostalgia factor.

[0] https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-18710.html

[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/calculators/comments/1r8gtvr/hp_48g...

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

#88

Post by rustcleaner »

I already own the SwissMicros DM41X, DM42, DM15L, and DM16L. Excellent quality devices, and built like absolute tanks! Picking up any of them will leave you astonished, a DM41X (or DM42) with its anodized metal back plate feels like it weighs at least 2x a TI-89 Titanium. I have as many of the HP-41C module files as I could find on MoHPC and other sites stored in my DM41X. They are all very high quality devices, I can't recommend them enough!
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