Tell me about the HP 67

[Trond]

A quick "review" of the HP 67 after owning it for a few days:

I really like this one. Last time I thought about buying it, the lack of continuous memory turned me off from it, but this one is another keeper for sure. Nice and sturdy build, and a good amount of software available (I'm still waiting for the stat pac). As someone mentioned, the keys rattle when you move it about, but that doesn't bother me.

To me the best part is the ingenious layout of the top row of keys: for quick calculations with no programming they are used for easy access to the functions written above the keys, or as a storage of variables. When using programs they refer directly to the programs written on the card inserted above the keys, and each key can function as two program labels (and also variables still). Finding your programs could not have been easier. Brilliant.

Anything bad? Well, an inbuilt root finder would have been good (I did not like the one in the Standard Pac, but I programmed a better one with help of the folks here), and numerical integration is another thing that the 34C has but not the 67. Otherwise I am sold. Statistics was a nice addition (over the 65 which I don't have). As a biologist and lecturer I use this quite a bit.

I also have some good things to say about the 67 accessories: I really like the carrying case: it is nicely padded and it has a pocket where I keep one sheet of magnetic program cards, and the quick reference sheet. It makes a good package to carry around. The sticker with conversions on the back of the calculator is nice (I wonder why not more calculators have this). Some of the Standard Pac programs are good (apart from the one mentioned above). I even like the artwork on the books and software packages. HP clearly put a lot of work into making a nice overall product here. Great stuff.