The Museum of HP Calculators

HP Forum Archive 09

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Quality of new HP48GX?
Message #1 Posted by Håkan Thörngren on 8 Jan 2003, 4:57 a.m.

I am considering getting a spare HP48GX for my Singapore made machine from -94 (revision R roms).

How does the latest HP48GX compare to it in terms of build quality, especially the keyboard? I am considering a late machine with a black rather than blue LCD, I do not know where they are made.

As a side question, should I also go for a HP49G when they are still available? How are the keyboard on them apart from that it is (shudder) rubber keys?

      
Re: Quality of new HP48GX?
Message #2 Posted by Raymond Hellstern on 8 Jan 2003, 9:22 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Håkan Thörngren

From what I heard the keyboard feel of the newer GX's with the high contrast LCD is somewhat softer, but it should be good enough to have the 'HP kbd feeling'.

As for the 49G, this is a matter of taste.

Please note that the key legends are hardly readable (which id..t chose red and blue on metallic blue...), the layout is cluttered and not too well organized (e.g. the EVAL and tic keys are shifted!!!), and the ENTER key is *not* in the usual position.

Raymond

      
Re: Quality of new HP48GX?
Message #3 Posted by Bill Hemphill on 9 Jan 2003, 8:31 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Håkan Thörngren

I have both the old and new HP-48GX as well as the HP-49G.

The new style 48 seems to be of similar construction quality as the older. BUT, the display is 100% better, in my opinion. I find I need much higher contrast as I get older, and the new display was mainly the reason I purchased a new one a few months ago. I don't really notice much difference in the keys. The newer one seems a little bit stiffer than my older one, but that may just be due to less use.

The 49G is... how can I politely say this, .... The display has a high reflective cover to it, so the contrast is lower. The keys are horrible - I don't mind so much that they are rubber, but hate that I must press directly down on them to activate them. HP keyboards have always (up till the 49G) felt very natural to my fingers - a slight push forward and downward.


[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall