Best Calculator | HP HP48G PLUS Graphic Calculator

A logical choice | HP HP48G PLUS Graphic Calculator

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	• HP HP48G PLUS Graphic Calculator Hewlett Packard Hewlett Packard average customer review:based on 10 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Disappointed

I am an engineering student and now see why my university recommends the TI-83. I'm sure the HP 48G has more features and is generally more powerful, but the user interface stinks. This is so hard to manipulate that I must carry a second calculator just in case I need a quick calculation. The RPN format is absolutly miserable and I have no idea why one would want this on a calculator. Another drawback is that the users manual falls FAR short when it comes to programming. The calculator falls even shorter and doesn't even have a If/ GOTO command for loop structures. If an engineer in training can't easily use this calculator, you'd better be a rocket scientist to expect much more. Unfortunatly I will have to buy a TI-83 to overcome the programming shortcomings, a move I should have made originally.

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Best Calculator

I started owning the HP 48S calculator 10 years ago when I was in high school. Been using it at Cal while I was there. Actually, almost everybody in EECS major owns an HP48. When the HP48G model came out, I gave the old one to my cousin and bought this one for myself. And I am still using it at work now. This calculator can do ALL the "calculatable" stuff and much more. Just try sin(i) or i^i or 200! (where "i" is the complex number sqrt(-1), "!" denotes factorial) on a calculator other than HP48/49, you will get an error. However, there is still many area that this calculator (or any other calculator) can improve on. One of the major one is doing the symbolic calculation--as in symbolic integration. But this requires much more cpu power than just a calculator. So I don't blame them for this. And as an added bonus, you can download thousands of freely available software to your calculator to make it into a PDA, remote control, play games or just expand it into a more powerful calculator(like calculating factorial of 1000).
Overall, I found this calculator to be nearly perfect. As a math or engineering student in any grade level, you should definitly own one of these. If you are thinking just to get pass your algebra class, than forget it! You won't even know how to add using the calculator before your semester is over.

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A logical choice

As an engineer of 30+ years, and now an engineering professor, I truly believe the HP 48G series of calculators is one of the best calculators ever developed....even if it is not the most intuitive. I remember starting college with a TI calculator (an SR-50). At some point, someone turned me onto the HP calculators of the day. After using one for a short period, I knew this was the way calculators were suppose to work. Very fast, very logical, very easy to use!

The major reason most persons do not like the HP is due to the RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) logic and RPL (Reverse Polish Lisp) language employed by the HP; generally because they do not understand it. RPN logic is how math is done, even pencil on paper. It is extremely logical. Even algebraic entry calculators, when not set to textbook entry, employ RPN logic for functions (ie: logs, trig functions, etc.). RPN logic forces the user to start from inside and equation and work outward. Of course, this is exactly how one solves anything pencil on paper! As a simple example, the sum of 5 and 8 in algebraic logic AND in textbook entry is 5 + 5 = ??
In RPN, there is no equal key. Instead, there is an ENTER key. So one would press 5 [ENTER] 5 + To the unitiated, this appears confusing on the surface. However, when one understands how the mind processes information, and when one truly understands how mathematics is performed, one realizes this is exactly how one handles math without the calculator. This is why there are no parenthesis on an RPN calculator. They're unneccessary. The advantage of RPN logic becomes readily apparent when handling very long/complex algebraic expressions (ie: Bernoulli, Principal Stress Equations, Certain Thermodynamic Expressions, etc.).

Although I have no problem with algebraic entry logic, Textbook entry is something to be despised. I truly believe this entry method has done more to degrade the mathematical abilities of our students than anything else! Textbook entry is exactly what it sounds like. You enter the equation as it appears in the textbook, then press equals (or exc). Although this sounds like a good thing, I can tell you that the vast majority of mathematical errors made by my students are made due to the lack of understanding of basic mathematical heirarchy. This is lack of understanding is propogated by the textbook entry format. Even students who have calculators with algebraic logic generally make fewer mathematical errors than those using textbook entry! It is also an extremely slow method. When lecturing on a given topic, and solving long algebraic expressions, I (and students using HP's) solve problems far more quickly than those with algebraic and textbook entry calculators. This time factor is rather substantial. Generally, those with textbook entry calculators are left so far behind those using even algebraic only entry, they stop participating and allow others to perform the calculations!

I have three high-end Casio's, every TI from the 83 through th 89, and most HPs from the 25 through the 50. I own so many so I can help my students. I hate to say it, but I never have questions from students who own HP or Casio calcualtors, only those that own TI's. Never thought about that before now. I wonder why?

I have also done extensive programming with the TI's, somewhat less extensive with the HP's, and minimal programming with the Casio's. Most of my programming is for use with data loggers. The HP is somewhat more difficult to learn overall, but the learning curve is not that much greater than the TI or Casio. However, the HP pays dividends in the end, especially in terms of speed of calculation and in terms of available professional software. I have always thought the HP SOMEWHAT more powerful and with a much more close-knit support group than the TI, although I suppose that could be debated. The Casio is easily the most intuitive of the three and I believe far superior to the TI in most areas. Anecdotally, I've had a number of students go the Casio route when purchasing a new calculator and they've all preferred it over the TI. (did you know Casio is the calculator of choice outside of North America?) In my opinion, the TI falls in between the HP and Casio. All three are very fine calculators. All three will do the job. But the HP is unique in that it actually improves ones understanding of mathematical concepts and heirarchy to the RPN logic.

By the way, I have a number of friends who like the HP, but use the TI or the Casio. However, they seldom use it in textbook entry (they also deem it illogical). However, they usually use it becasue the department has selected TI's. This is especially true in K-12. But this is generally due to a difference in the business models of Texas Instruments vs. Hewlett Packard. Unfortunately, HP caters to the professional market, not the educational market.

In the end, the HP-48/49/50 series of calculators are GREAT calculators. I tend to prefer the high end 49/50's over the 48 series due to their use of SD cards, thus the ability to store high quantities of data. However, the 48G and 48G+ can still be found at a reasonable cost, thus comes highly recommended.

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Ugly, Slow Graphing but a Grand Machine

Every comment here is right.
1. This calculator can do everything but change the baby's Pampers.
2 It is S L O W E R [drawing a graph] than the class dunce.
3 It is the best graphing calculator for the money.
4 It is made really well and will be working for your heirs long after your in the graveyard [but do leave them the users guide]
5 It uses both RPN and/or algebraic input.
6 No-One whom I know uses all the functions of this calculator.
7 The review is almost scary nearly suggesting this is not a device for mere mortals. Hogwash, my grand nephew who is blessed with the same average intelligence as I has used this calculator in middle school

There is a grand debate: Texas Instruments calculators vs. H.P. Firstly, I am a H.P. user. No doubt, though, for most tasks the T.I. will be easier for most folks but for versatility, accuracy, durability and reliability, or if you are not IN a school which requires a T.I. you are better off with the Hewlett Packard .

To be honest this is not a 'take to class everyday'. if you are in high school unless one is doing some really advanced maths. Even for much collage maths this calculator is 'overkill'.

That written if you can use it, if it is not banned if you require a graphing calculator and have the time to learn how to use this one it is great, and one will find nothing as it for any price.

If you are new to HP or RPN buy a book from Amazon titlled 'jump start The HP 48G/GX by Adams and Potter ... [dont throw away the user guide for use later].

As an aside I loaned my 48G+ to my grand nephews 9th grade 'girl' and she likes it so much she has replaced her TI with it which suggests that I am in the 48G+ market, agan. [I triied the 49 but the keyboaard STINKS]

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My favorite calculator!

HP's line of calculators are *really* well done.
I've been using my HP48g+ for almost 2.5 years, and there isn't enough good things I can say about it! (Minas the lack of speed, due to a 4.3mhz processor)

The HP48 line of calculators present a scalable, fun, and neat product. There are so many neat things I've been able to do, such as change the TV channel, play songs, play games, and oh yes... do math!

If you are looking at the TI line, they are alright, but nowheres near as fun as a HP48. The TI's might have better hardware compared to the 48, but it's software smells! Take it's GUI for example, it has none! You punch in numbers and it calculates the answer!

My number one favorite thing about the HP calculator is it's softkeys... they make it so much easier to operate!

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HP 48G+ GRAPHING CALCULATOR

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