Calculator Comparison

Features in optional ROMs are listed as Option. Features in HP mag card or tape Application Pacs are listed as +. Other software is not included.
Display and Keyboard	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Display type	LCD	LED	LCD
Display format	1 Line	1 Line	1 Line
FIXed number format	Yes	Yes	Yes
SCIentific number format	Yes	Yes	Yes
ENGineering number format	Yes	Yes	Yes
STanDard / ALL number format	-	-	-
Alpha messages and prompts	-	-	-
Softkeys labeled by mag. card or overlay	-	-	-
Softkeys labeled by display menus	-	-	-
Softkeys with neither labeling system	Yes	Yes (2)	Yes
Status annunciators	Yes	-	Yes
Redefinable keyboard	-	-	-
Logic	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Logic system	RPN	RPN	RPN
Stack levels	4	4	4
Last x	Yes	Yes	Yes
Undo	-	-	-
Precedence	-	-	-
Parentheses	-	-	-
Storage Addition (STO +)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Storage Arithmetic (STO +, −, ×, ÷)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Storage Exponentiation (STO ^)	-	-	-
Recall Arithmetic	-	-	Yes
Named variables	-	-	-
Multiple data types	-	-	-
Directories	-	-	-
Math	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
+, −, ×, ÷	Yes	Yes	Yes
1/x	Yes	Yes	Yes
√	Yes	Yes	Yes
x²	Yes	Yes	Yes
LOG x	Yes	Yes	Yes
10^x	Yes	Yes	Yes
LN x	Yes	Yes	Yes
e^x	Yes	Yes	Yes
y^x	Yes	Yes	Yes
π	Yes	Yes	Yes
%	Yes	Yes	Yes
% change	Yes	Yes	Yes
INTeger truncation and ABSolute value	Yes	Yes	Yes
Trigonometric functions (SIN, COS etc.)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hyperbolic trig. (SINH, COSH etc.)	Yes	-	Yes
# of trig. modes (degrees, radians, grads)	3	3	3
Advanced Math	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Solver / root finder	-	Yes	Yes
Numeric integration	-	Yes	Yes
Complex numbers	-	-	Yes
Matrix operations	-	-	Yes
Matrix writer	-	-	-
Equation writer	-	-	-
Symbolic operations	-	-	-
Fractions	-	-	-
Plotting and graphics (display)	-	-	-
Plotting and graphics (printer / plotter)	-	-	-
Statistical	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Mean, standard deviation (# of variables)	2	2	2
Σ of n, x, x²	Yes	Yes	Yes
Σ of n, x, x², y	Yes	Yes	Yes
Σ of n, x, x², y, xy	Yes	Yes	Yes
Σ of n, x, x², y, y², xy	Yes	Yes	Yes
Σ of lists	-	-	-
Random number generator	Yes	-	Yes
Linear regression, estimate	Yes	Yes	Yes
Curve fitting	-	-	-
Correlation coefficient	Yes	Yes	Yes
Normal distribution	-	-	-
Factorial	Yes	Yes	Yes
Gamma	Yes	Yes	Yes
Combinations and permutations	Yes	-	Yes
Scientific and Time	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Polar / rectangular conversions	Yes	Yes	Yes
Base conversions (2, 8, 10, 16)	-	-	-
Arithmetic in bases 2, 8 and 16	-	-	-
Bit operations (AND, OR, XOR, ...)	-	-	-
Selectable word size (1-64 bits)	-	-	-
Selectable complement mode (1's, 2's, unsigned)	-	-	-
Decimal hrs / hrs.min.sec. conversions	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hrs.min.sec arithmetic	-	-	-
Time of day clock	-	-	-
Timer	-	-	-
Dynamic calculations (timer × rate)	-	-	-
Alarms	-	-	-
Unit Conversions	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Centimeters / inches	-	-	-
Millimeters / inches	-	-	-
Meters / feet	-	-	-
Kilograms / pounds (mass)	-	-	-
Newtons / pounds (force)	-	-	-
British thermal units / joules	-	-	-
Liters / gallons	-	-	-
° Celsius / ° Fahrenheit	-	-	-
Other	-	-	-
User-defined units	-	-	-
Time Value of Money	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Number of payments (n)	-	-	-
Interest rate (i)	-	-	-
Present Value (PV)	-	-	-
Payment (PMT)	-	-	-
Future Value (FV)	-	-	-
Cash Flow Analysis	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Net present value (NPV)	-	-	-
Internal rate of return (IRR)	-	-	-
Amortization	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Accumulated Interest (ACC INT)	-	-	-
Balance (BAL)	-	-	-
Depreciation	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Straight line (SL)	-	-	-
Sum of the years digits (SOYD)	-	-	-
Declining balance (DB)	-	-	-
Bonds and calendar functions	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Bond price	-	-	-
Bond yield	-	-	-
Date arithmetic / calendar functions	-	-	-
Memory and Programming	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Programming language(s)	RPN	RPN	RPN
RAM / Max # of variables or addressable registers	21	21	67
Max # of program steps	203	210	448*
RAM / Max vars or regs with full optional RAM	-	-	-
Max # of prog steps with full optional RAM	-	-	-
Merged program steps	Yes	Yes	Yes
Manual register / program memory allocation	-	-	Yes
Automatic register / program memory allocation	Yes	Yes	-
Overlapped register and program memory	-	-	-
Continuous memory	Yes	Yes	Yes
Flags	2	4	10
Conditional tests	8	8	12
Subroutine levels	4	6	7
Indexed looping (increment by +/- 1, end at 0)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Indexed looping (choice of increment and end)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multiple index / loop registers	-	-	Loop only
Line number addressing	-	Yes*	Via I*
Branching by relative line number	-	-	-
Global program label addressing	Yes	Yes	Yes
Local program label addressing	-	-	-
Indirect / computed addressing and control	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multiple indirection registers	-	-	-
Pause	Yes	Yes	Yes
Alpha messages and prompts in programs	-	-	-
Alpha program listings	-	-	-
Alpha string manipulation	-	-	-
Program step insert / delete	Yes	Yes	Yes
I/O and Expansion Features	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
ROM modules	-	-	-
RAM modules or expansion option	-	-	-
General expansion slots / connector	-	-	-
Magnetic card reader/writer	-	-	-
Tape drive	-	-	-
Disk drive	-	-	-
Upgradeable firmware	-	-	-
Optical wand	-	-	-
Serial port	-	-	-
Infrared input	-	-	-
Infrared output	-	-	-
Printer	-	-	-
Networking	-	-	-
Other	-	-	-
General	HP-11C	HP-34C	HP-15C
Sounds	-	-	-
Self test	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hard case (in addition to soft case)	-	-	-
Additional Features	-	-	-
Batteries	3 SR44	Rechargeable	3 SR44
Length (inches)	5.1"	5.6"	5.1"
Width	3.1"	2.8"	3.1"
Height	0.6"	1.2"	0.6"
Weight (oz or lbs)	4 oz	6-8 oz*	4 oz
Year of introduction	1981	1979	1982
Features in optional ROMs are listed as Option. Features in HP mag card or tape Application Pacs are listed as +. Other software is not included. Unlim means limited only by available memory.

Features in optional ROMs are listed as Option.
Features in HP mag card or tape Application Pacs are listed as +.
Other software is not included.

Display and Keyboard

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Display type

LCD

LED

LCD

Display format

1 Line

FIXed number format

Yes

SCIentific number format

Yes

ENGineering number format

Yes

STanDard / ALL number format

Alpha messages and prompts

Softkeys labeled by mag. card or overlay

Softkeys labeled by display menus

Softkeys with neither labeling system

Yes

Yes (2)

Yes

Status annunciators

Yes

Redefinable keyboard

Logic

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Logic system

RPN

Stack levels

Last x

Yes

Undo

Precedence

Parentheses

Storage Addition (STO +)

Yes

Storage Arithmetic (STO +, −, ×, ÷)

Yes

Storage Exponentiation (STO ^)

Recall Arithmetic

Yes

Named variables

Multiple data types

Directories

Math

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

+, −, ×, ÷

Yes

1/x

Yes

√

Yes

x²

Yes

LOG x

Yes

10^x

Yes

LN x

Yes

e^x

Yes

y^x

Yes

% change

Yes

INTeger truncation and ABSolute value

Yes

Trigonometric functions (SIN, COS etc.)

Yes

Hyperbolic trig. (SINH, COSH etc.)

Yes

# of trig. modes (degrees, radians, grads)

Advanced Math

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Solver / root finder

Yes

Numeric integration

Yes

Complex numbers

Yes

Matrix operations

Yes

Matrix writer

Equation writer

Symbolic operations

Fractions

Plotting and graphics (display)

Plotting and graphics (printer / plotter)

Statistical

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Mean, standard deviation (# of variables)

Σ of n, x, x²

Yes

Σ of n, x, x², y

Yes

Σ of n, x, x², y, xy

Yes

Σ of n, x, x², y, y², xy

Yes

Σ of lists

Random number generator

Yes

Linear regression, estimate

Yes

Curve fitting

Correlation coefficient

Yes

Normal distribution

Factorial

Yes

Gamma

Yes

Combinations and permutations

Yes

Scientific and Time

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Polar / rectangular conversions

Yes

Base conversions (2, 8, 10, 16)

Arithmetic in bases 2, 8 and 16

Bit operations (AND, OR, XOR, ...)

Selectable word size (1-64 bits)

Selectable complement mode (1's, 2's, unsigned)

Decimal hrs / hrs.min.sec. conversions

Yes

Hrs.min.sec arithmetic

Time of day clock

Timer

Dynamic calculations (timer × rate)

Alarms

Unit Conversions

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Centimeters / inches

Millimeters / inches

Meters / feet

Kilograms / pounds (mass)

Newtons / pounds (force)

British thermal units / joules

Liters / gallons

° Celsius / ° Fahrenheit

Other

User-defined units

Time Value of Money

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Number of payments (n)

Interest rate (i)

Present Value (PV)

Payment (PMT)

Future Value (FV)

Cash Flow Analysis

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Net present value (NPV)

Internal rate of return (IRR)

Amortization

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Accumulated Interest (ACC INT)

Balance (BAL)

Depreciation

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Straight line (SL)

Sum of the years digits (SOYD)

Declining balance (DB)

Bonds and calendar functions

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Bond price

Bond yield

Date arithmetic / calendar functions

Memory and Programming

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Programming language(s)

RPN

RAM / Max # of variables or addressable registers

Max # of program steps

203

210

448*

RAM / Max vars or regs with full optional RAM

Max # of prog steps with full optional RAM

Merged program steps

Yes

Manual register / program memory allocation

Yes

Automatic register / program memory allocation

Yes

Overlapped register and program memory

Continuous memory

Yes

Flags

Conditional tests

Subroutine levels

Indexed looping (increment by +/- 1, end at 0)

Yes

Indexed looping (choice of increment and end)

Yes

Multiple index / loop registers

Loop only

Line number addressing

Yes*

Via I*

Branching by relative line number

Global program label addressing

Yes

Local program label addressing

Indirect / computed addressing and control

Yes

Multiple indirection registers

Pause

Yes

Alpha messages and prompts in programs

Alpha program listings

Alpha string manipulation

Program step insert / delete

Yes

I/O and Expansion Features

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

ROM modules

RAM modules or expansion option

General expansion slots / connector

Magnetic card reader/writer

Tape drive

Disk drive

Upgradeable firmware

Optical wand

Serial port

Infrared input

Infrared output

Printer

Networking

Other

General

HP-11C

HP-34C

HP-15C

Sounds

Self test

Yes

Hard case (in addition to soft case)

Additional Features

Batteries

3 SR44

Rechargeable

3 SR44

Length (inches)

5.1"

5.6"

5.1"

Width

3.1"

2.8"

3.1"

Height

0.6"

1.2"

0.6"

Weight (oz or lbs)

4 oz

6-8 oz*

4 oz

Year of introduction

1981

1979

1982

Features in optional ROMs are listed as Option.
Features in HP mag card or tape Application Pacs are listed as +.
Other software is not included.

Unlim means limited only by available memory.

HP-11C notes:

Self test: with the calculator off, hold the × key down and press and release ON, then release ×. The calculator will display running for around half a minute and then activate the entire display to indicate success. The test may be done continuously by (with the calculator off) holding + down while pressing the ON key. To stop the continuous test at the end of the current iteration, press and hold − and then press ON.
There is also a keyboard test. With the calculator off, press and hold ÷ and press ON. Now press each key from the top left moving left to right and then down (the enter key gets pressed in both the third and fourth rows.) If all keys are pressed in the correct order and are working, the model number (without the C) is displayed. Otherwise, Error 9 is displayed. (The display will show a changing pattern of segments as keys are pressed.)

HP-34C notes:

Line number addressing was done by placing a negative number in the indirect register and then branching to it. The calculator branched to the absolute value of the number.
Late versions were about 1.5 oz lighter than earlier versions.
Self test by pressing STO and then ENTER. At the end of the test, the entire display lights to indicate success.

HP-15C notes:

The HP-15C had enough memory for 448 one-byte instructions but some instructions required two bytes.
If the number in the I register was negative, the calculator branched to the line number indicated by the absolute value of that number.
Self test: with the calculator off, hold the × key down and press and release ON, then release ×. The calculator will display running for around half a minute and then activate the entire display to indicate success. The test may be done continuously by (with the calculator off) holding + down while pressing the ON key. To stop the continuous test at the end of the current iteration, press and hold − and then press ON.
There is also a keyboard test. With the calculator off, press and hold ÷ and press ON. Now press each key from the top left moving left to right and then down (the enter key gets pressed in both the third and fourth rows.) If all keys are pressed in the correct order and are working, the model number (without the C) is displayed. Otherwise, Error 9 is displayed. (The display will show a changing pattern of segments as keys are pressed.)

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