Re: Starting from scratch... Message #12 Posted by rsenzer on 6 May 2002, 12:09 p.m., in response to message #1 by Chris Roccati
Hi Chris,
Based on a number of postings on a variety of calculator boards including this one, there is a need for a non-programmable simple scientific at the very least. It seems that a lot of instructors will not permit programmable scientific calculators or calculators that can store equations or expressions during tests.
I believe that there would be a market for an RPN calculator comparable to an HP-32SII without equation storage and without programmability, but with all other features. [Of course there would be no need for integration and solver functions since there would be no equation storage and no programmability.] It might be expedient to use numbered storage registers in such a calculator for the sake of simplicity and to avoid another instructor complaint, alpha-numerics. Of course, you would still want to be able to display hex digits, all you would need is the 7 bar display such as the display on the HP-20S.
I wouldn't mind a non-programmable algebraic HP-20S type of machine with fraction capability [I hear the jeers already!]. That is, with the full set of features of the HP-20S including multiple memories and the "2-level? last stack" -- NOT the hp-6s. Note that fraction capability is essential in today's market.
I would like to see programmable versions as well, but the above units might be a good starting point. Some additional points -- I would like to see 3 digit exponents and a level of accuracy comparable to the HPs. I would like to see solar power with battery backup with the batteries easily replaceable, i.e., a battery compartment so you don't need a screwdriver to take the calculator apart in order to replace the batteries, and clearly, continuous memory for the memory registers as well as the stack, although the latter is not entirely essential.
Also, it would be nice to have buttons for standard scientific constants, e.g., Avogadro's Number, etc. -- See e.g, the TI-36X. And of course, add the "Persnickety Professor" key -- CLEAR EVERYTHING, because some instructor will insist that you use such a key before the big test. The display should produce an "ALL CLEAR" message, of course.
What would really be nice is such a calculator that is switchable between algebraic and RPN, but which uses an algebraic entry system when in algebraic mode that is similar to that of the "HP-71B". However, that is probably beyond the scope of a simple wish list.
Meanwhile ...
|