NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/comp/sys/hp48/6593

Text File | 1992-12-31 | 3.8 KB | 77 lines

Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp48
Path: sparky!uunet!nntp.telebit.com!phr
From: [e-mail] (Paul Rubin)
Subject: Re: The "high price" of the HP48!
In-Reply-To: [e-mail]'s message of Thu, 31 Dec 1992 15:55:34 GMT
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Nntp-Posting-Host: napa
Organization: Telebit Corporation; Sunnyvale, CA, USA
References: <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
    <[e-mail]>
    <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 20:29:58 GMT
Lines: 61

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Wesleyan Hsu) writes:

   >1. Remember the original post said ALL CURRICULA. ...

   Jeez, there's a reason why HP happened to print "Scientific" on the
   calculator.  You don't see "science" people running out and buying a
   business calculator to do their complex exponentials.  And if you're going
   to do test formatting, why not spend $500 and buy a Powerbook 100.

I agree.  If you can get a Powerbook 100 for $500, I think that is a
much wiser purchase than an HP48 for $300.  I'm sure you can get
math programs for it that blow the HP48 away (Mathematica, Mathcad,
Theorist, Milo, etc.) though I'm not a Mac user and don't follow
Mac products.

   Some people actually buy the 48 as an upgrade.  My previous calc was a HP
   11C and it served me well for a good 6 years.  I'm a grad now and I thought
   that I would like a more functional calculator.  Since I loved my 11C and I
   know HP makes excellent products, why should I consider another company?
   So, I considered buying a used 28S, but opted for the 48SX since I figure
   I'll be using it for many years to come.  Heck, this could be my last
   calculator.  There's nothing wrong with loyalty to a fantastic company.

Why on earth would it be your last calculator?  You bought the 48
because you wanted more functions, and future calculators will be even
more powerful and you'll want to upgrade again.  There's nothing wrong
with buying fancy calculators if you can afford them, just like
there's nothing wrong with buying fancy clothes or jewelry.  All I've
been saying is that the increased computing power of the 48 over
simpler models has probably passed the point of being a useful buy for
cash-strapped college students.

   >I've hardly ever wanted to use a calculator in class except maybe in
   >physics lab, which was not really "in class".  In the lab there were

   Well, that's your choice.  Personally, I like having it with me.  Sometimes
   I don't feel like calculating transforms manually...so shoot me.

When do you want to calculate transforms in class?  When I'm in class,
the professor is usually lecturing while I take notes.  Sometimes I
want to calculate transforms at home, but I use my computer for that.

   >A 48 seems like a fun toy and I'd buy one if someone offered me one
   >cheap enough, but I feel it is a disservice to most students to
   >suggest that a real computer is not a better investment.

   I wouldn't say it's a disservice.  Students should know their priorities.
   Do they spend $140 for a calculator or put that towards their $2000 for a
   "real" computer?  Schools usually don't provide calculators in class, but
   I'm sure they provide computers for general use.

For someone who likes calculators so much you seem to be pretty loose
with numbers.  Where can I get an HP48 for $140?  (Remember this is
about HP48's, not cheaper calculators).  Weren't you saying a minute
ago that I could get a Powerbook 100 for $500, not $2000?  A Powerbook
100 is a real computer by most definitions.  (The cheapest I've seen
PB100's for is around $700, by the way, but I haven't been shopping
for one).

Yes, my school provides computers for general use, but having one
at home is a big improvement.