Has HP gone non-rpn on calculators?

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4 total messages Started by crandall Fri, 25 Jul 1986 17:46

#174

Author: crandall
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1986 17:46

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I recently saw an ad for a new HP calculator - the HP-18C. It looks like
it is "algebraic entry" .. is this true? Does HP have any new rpn calculators?

Steve Crandall
ihnp4!mhuxt!evans

Re: Has HP gone non-rpn on calculators?

#178

Author: bill
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 1986 17:40

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HP is calling the 18C "The Business Consultant" -- it's aimed primarily at
business people, who don't particularly care whether they use algebraic or
RPN, as long as they can punch in numbers and get results.  I think the
consensus was that the majority of these users are probably already very
familiar with algebraic calculators, and really aren't interested in
learning RPN; what they do want is a machine that makes it simple to
calculate mortgage payments, rates of return, and sales forecasts.
The 18C addresses custom, complex problems by letting the user enter
his own formulas in symbolic (alphanumeric) form, then automatically
provides "menu" keys to allow the user to twiddle the variables.
(Sort of like the "pmt", "i", "n", "pv", and "fv" keys on the 
previous HP financial calculators, only customizable.)

bill frolik
hp-pcd!bill

Re: Has HP gone non-rpn on calculators?

#177

Author: bruce
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 1986 21:47

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    In order to appeal to a wide range of diverse business
    markets, BUSINESS CONSULTANT features a powerful but
    easy-to-use algebraic operating system.  The decision to
    diverge from RPN was made based on the characteristics and
    preferences of the product's target markets which are
    professinals in business, rather than technical,
    disciplines.  Research of these markets has consistently
    shown that a majority are intimidated by the RPN system of
    data entry and that HP calculators are perceived as
    difficult to use, realities born out by the currently low
    share of market historically realized by our business
    calculators.  The response of HP salesforce and dealers to
    this decision, for this particular product, is that it is
    "right on!" We will continue to offer RPN machines in our
    product line, especially for scientific and engineering
    customers.

    Bruce Stephens
    Hewlett-Packard
    Handheld Computer and Calculator Operation
    Corvallis, OR

    hplabs!hp-pcd!bruce

Re: Has HP gone non-rpn on calculators?

#189

Author: Dave Bengtson
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1986 18:46

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Distribution:na 
Organization: University of Maryland, Electrical Engineering Department
Keywords:HP calculators 

     Speaking of HP calculators, is there anyone out there who
has access to the PPC and CHHU bbs's who can mail me some of the
choice tidbits, since the eneevax here doesnt seem to want to dial
long distance.  

                 David Bengtson
                 PPC 12969
                 CHHU 1530(?)

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