Re: Need recommendation on a RPN calc Message #3 Posted by Patrick on 24 Oct 2003, 1:54 p.m., in response to message #1 by Gene J (Chicago)
Wow. What you ask for is tough.
If you look over the list of legacy HP calcs elsewhere on this site, you'll see that not many of them are non-programmable. All of the scientific LCD models are programmable, so that leaves you with LED models. I see the following candidates:
HP-35
HP-45
HP-21
HP-27
HP-31E
HP-32E
Many of these are viable choices in the sense that you can still pick up perfectly functioning examples. Batteries will be another story, not to mention having to lug the wall wart around with you. I doubt exam rooms still run power lines along the desks anymore so that students can plug in their (now solar powered) calculators!
You could pick up any one of these for under $100 on eBay, with the exception of the HP-27, which commands a premium.
If you relax the non-programmable criteria, then that opens up a whole slew of other models for your consideration. I would suggest the HP-42S as it has the multi-line display and support for matrices that you asked for. For me personally, other great alternatives would be the HP-15C and HP-11C.
As far as your other question regarding the presence of algebraic models on the HP web site... therein lies a long and twisted tale, much discussed on this site. The short answer is nobody knows why. Happily, this hasn't prevented the folks here from giving their opinions! If you take a look back through the forum archives, you're bound to see what I'm talking about.
Good luck Gene.
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