The Museum of HP Calculators

HP Forum Archive 21

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #1 Posted by bill platt on 14 Mar 2012, 10:10 p.m.

I finally bought two of the 30b Business Professional machines. @ $20, how could I resist?

I haven't done anything other than pull it out, take a quick look at the functions, set it to "Algebraic" rather than reachain, and start using it for "daily work."

First reaction: "Astounding!"

It feels *really* good!

And it can be developed for!

And it has real buttons.

I am getting pretty excited about HP and the future of calculators as niche specialty devices that are *worth having around*.

Thanks to the team at HP who have cared :-)

At some point, I have to dive into the W34S...

      
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #2 Posted by gene wright on 14 Mar 2012, 10:15 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by bill platt

Put it in RPN!

      
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #3 Posted by Peter Murphy (Livermore) on 14 Mar 2012, 10:15 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by bill platt

Bill, where bought at $20 each?

            
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #4 Posted by bill platt on 14 Mar 2012, 10:20 p.m.,
in response to message #3 by Peter Murphy (Livermore)

One of the Two Places that Shall Not Be Named (haha only kidding).

From the Bezos emporium.

                  
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #5 Posted by Peter Murphy (Livermore) on 14 Mar 2012, 11:21 p.m.,
in response to message #4 by bill platt

There were 31 left at that price. Now there are 29. Thanks for the tip!

                  
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #6 Posted by Paul Dale on 15 Mar 2012, 4:34 a.m.,
in response to message #4 by bill platt

Shipping not available to here unfortunately :-(

- Pauli

      
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #7 Posted by John B. Smitherman on 14 Mar 2012, 11:25 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by bill platt

Take the plunge...

John

      
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #8 Posted by Walter B on 15 Mar 2012, 3:05 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by bill platt

Quote:
I have to dive into the W34S...
Be assured, it will be splashing :-)
      
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #9 Posted by Mark Scheuern on 15 Mar 2012, 7:53 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by bill platt

I agree, I've already bought two and I'm pleasantly surprised. Neither will stay a 30b for long but they're decent calculators and amazing deal for $20 (or $21.45--I see they've raised the price a bit). It took me a bit to figure out it's not in RPN mode by default. Reading the manual cured that.

Edited: 15 Mar 2012, 7:54 a.m.

            
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #10 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 15 Mar 2012, 8:15 a.m.,
in response to message #9 by Mark Scheuern

Be careful: Its RPN mode is a little RPLish in that ENTER after number entry does not do an automatic DUP as in classic designs but just terminates digit entry.

                  
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #11 Posted by Mark Scheuern on 15 Mar 2012, 8:19 a.m.,
in response to message #10 by Marcus von Cube, Germany

I didn't notice that. Thanks, Marcus.

                  
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #12 Posted by bill platt on 15 Mar 2012, 9:44 a.m.,
in response to message #10 by Marcus von Cube, Germany

That's why I put it in algebraic to start :-D

                  
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #13 Posted by Katie Wasserman on 15 Mar 2012, 12:46 p.m.,
in response to message #10 by Marcus von Cube, Germany

I really hate this RPLish aspect of the 20b/30b, enough so to keep me from using them as-is. The other firmware feature of the 30b that I really dislike is the "insert before" editor as opposed to every other HP keystroke programmable which is "insert after".

Neither of this things would be bad if I had never used an RPN programable calculator before, they might even be preferable. But I just can't get used to switching back and forth between the 30b and say the 32sii or 15C.

It's high time I upgraded to the 34s.

                        
Re: 30b if I had more time, I'd dig in!
Message #14 Posted by Jake Schwartz on 15 Mar 2012, 3:20 p.m.,
in response to message #13 by Katie Wasserman

Quote:
It's high time I upgraded to the 34s.
'

You will not regret that decision at all...

Jake

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall