Post Reply 
Difference between pocket computer and programmable calculator?
09-07-2022, 07:45 PM
Post: #2
RE: Difference between pocket computer and programmable calculator?
(09-07-2022 07:15 PM)Jeff_Birt Wrote:  I agreed and then wondered what really differentiates a pocket computer from a programmable calculator? A QWERTY keyboard? Intended market? What makes a HP-41 a programmable calculator but an HP-71 a pocket computer?

First, "pocket" refers to the size, not the method of carrying. Carrying one in a shirt pocket is inviting disaster when you bend down like to access a lower file-cabinet drawer and dump the expensive computer out onto the hard floor. Carrying one in a pants pocket puts it in danger of breaking it, something which happened to a friend of mine when he sat down hard. Fortunately it was a much cheaper model.

The 41cx manual calls it a computer, which seems reasonable since it has string-handling capability, a file system, and text editor, and with HP-IL it has the ability to interface to lots of things at once (not just consumer things like printer and mass storage, but lab instrumentation), and with other modules it has boolean functions, base conversions, an assembler, and a mile-long list of other things not found in mere programmable calculators.

http://WilsonMinesCo.com (Lots of HP-41 links at the bottom of the links page, http://wilsonminesco.com/links.html )
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 


Messages In This Thread
RE: Difference between pocket computer and programmable calculator? - Garth Wilson - 09-07-2022 07:45 PM



User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)