HP-17BII+ serial

[Don Shepherd]

(02-02-2016 06:22 PM)tomisan Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 02:40 PM)Don Shepherd Wrote:  Here is another consideration.

If most of what you do with the solver is just standard equation solving things (that is, not using the L() and G() functions), the 17bii+ solver will work fine. I have noticed that the weird behavior only manifests itself if you use L() with a variable that is in the visible menu.

The extra memory and better display legibility of the plus is certainly an advantage. If you are going to have a lot of equations (and associated variables), keep in mind that some amount of memory must be free because it is required when you "compile" (CALC) your equations. I have one equation that is very big and when I CALC it the free memory goes from 48% to 26%. So you will always need enough memory so that you can CALC your most complex equation. I have 28 equations on my 17bii.

Yes, I have noticed something similar with my 27S.

One interesting difference is that validation of an equation (after CALC) is much quicker on the 17BII+. Execution time is slower though.

BENCH:B=A+SIGMA(N:1:1E99:1:L(A:n))

After a 60 s run:
HP-27S: A=1683
HP-17BII+: A=1030

I think you will be happy with either the 17b/bii or the bii+. Let us know what you decide.

By the way, do you know how to exit a \(\sum\) loop early? The Applications manual says you can't, but a fellow showed me how to do it once, with a minor constraint.