HP's got a new graphing calculator

[TimNJ]

Still not sure how I feel about a color graphing calculator. Apparently it's basically a 50g with a color screen.

I like that they haven't tried to make the interface look like its from a space shuttle.

[c4757p]

Does anyone outside high school use a graphing calculator? I spent two years as a math major and never touched one, and certainly don't see any use for it now that I'm in engineering. I'm quite happy with my HP 35s!

Well, edit: I did "touch" my 50g, but never the graphing functions. I did occasionally find its simplistic CAS useful.

[8086]

I have been wanting a TI Nspire calculator for a while, but now it seems I may have a new beauty to covet. 

Any word on price?

[TimNJ]

Well by looking at this ad, I'd say it's targeted at high school/college aged kids.

I don't particularly see anything wrong with using a grapher. I'm a senior in high school and my school gave me a TI-89 for the year. I like the ability to scrollback and stuff. That's pretty handy. As far as needing one, well no.

I'd say, if you have one, use it, unless you're more efficient on something else.

My brother gets scorned all the time for bringing his Ti-83 to work by all the gray beards and their RPNs. 

[TimNJ]

None that I've seen, but I'd expect around the $150 mark since it'll be competing with TI and Casio.

[TimNJ]

I like that they've gone with a aluminum front panel, but lose the glossy black plastic around the screen. Scratches galore.

[c4757p]

I don't particularly see anything wrong with using a grapher. I'm a senior in high school and my school gave me a TI-89 for the year. I like the ability to scrollback and stuff. That's pretty handy. As far as needing one, well no.

I'd say, if you have one, use it, unless you're more efficient on something else.

Oh, there's certainly nothing wrong with it. I've just never found them useful. I've never been confronted with a problem where I though "a graphing calculator would make this easier". Obviously, different people work differently - I love RPN, for example, but most people find it a huge pain in the ass, and that's OK.

What needs to be done is putting some of those "graphing calculator" features (CAS, scrollback, etc) into a nice, compact sci calc. Lord knows powerful microcontrollers are cheap enough today, there's no reason my $50 scientific shouldn't be able to solve the hell out of an ODE or whatever.

[xrunner]

Oh crap.

Another gadget I'll be wanting to buy. 

[TimNJ]

I don't particularly see anything wrong with using a grapher. I'm a senior in high school and my school gave me a TI-89 for the year. I like the ability to scrollback and stuff. That's pretty handy. As far as needing one, well no.

I'd say, if you have one, use it, unless you're more efficient on something else.

Oh, there's certainly nothing wrong with it. I've just never found them useful. I've never been confronted with a problem where I though "a graphing calculator would make this easier". Obviously, different people work differently - I love RPN, for example, but most people find it a huge pain in the ass, and that's OK.

What needs to be done is putting some of those "graphing calculator" features (CAS, scrollback, etc) into a nice, compact sci calc. Lord knows powerful microcontrollers are cheap enough today, there's no reason my $50 scientific shouldn't be able to solve the hell out of an ODE or whatever.

The closest I've seen is the TI-36X. But it's still not quite there. Very good calculator though.

[EEVblog]

It didn't take the aficionados over at the HP Museum forum long to come up with their dream versions:

[TimNJ]

Whoa so people over at HP museum sketched up that design on the left and HP actually did something with it?

[EEVblog]

Well by looking at this ad, I'd say it's targeted at high school/college aged kids.

Make no mistake, the only market the HP calculator division have left is the education market. That is the sole reason for the divisions continued existence.

[c4757p]

Make no mistake, the only market the HP calculator division have left is the education market. That is the sole reason for the divisions continued existence.

The education market where? I've never seen schools buy anything that didn't come from TI or, on rare occasion, Casio.

[TimNJ]

Maybe I read your post wrong but I haven't seen a single kid whip out an HP calculator for a test.

But then who is using them? Some professionals? Sure. But sheesh, what are their sales like?

[EEVblog]

Whoa so people over at HP museum sketched up that design on the left and HP actually did something with it?

No, it's the other way around.
HP release a new calc (or pictures of it leak), and the nerds go into overdrive doing photoshop mods of what their ideal version is.
It's not all just fantasy though, the recent trend is for the calcs to be firmware hacked, and to sell new keypad overlays to turn the standard calc into a community driven calc.

[EEVblog]

Maybe I read your post wrong but I haven't seen a single kid whip out an HP calculator for a test.
But then who is using them? Some professionals? Sure. But sheesh, what are their sales like?

It's not kids, IIRC it's certain high school and/or college level engineering et.al courses that dictate only certain approved calculators must be used. HP always design their calculators (and cripple them if need be) to ensure that they meet this criteria. Sales are enough to keep a small handful sized (or less) design division going.

[TimNJ]

Whoa so people over at HP museum sketched up that design on the left and HP actually did something with it?

No, it's the other way around.
HP release a new calc (or pictures of it leak), and the nerds go into overdrive doing photoshop mods of what their ideal version is.
It's not all just fantasy though, the recent trend is for the calcs to be firmware hacked, and to sell new keypad overlays to turn the standard calc into a community driven calc.

Oh they're crazy then. I think the layout looks pretty good though I guess I don't know much about calculator layout.

[tom66]

So the only difference between this and a smartphone is it has a keyboard, and you can probably take it into an exam.
I'm happy with my old TI-89.

[EEVblog]

Some more HP dream calc porn:

[TimNJ]

I suppose. I guess we won't really be able to judge until it's released.

However, if I have to go home everyday and charge my calculator...then that's just not going to work.

[TimNJ]

Some more HP dream calc porn:

They can wish all they like. They should just start prototyping their own.

[EEVblog]

They can wish all they like. They should just start prototyping their own.

Many of them do.

[c4757p]

However, if I have to go home everyday and charge my calculator...then that's just not going to work.

What I would love is if they'd go with the rechargeable battery, but not use that as license for the calculator to suck power like a smartphone. If it could last a week on a charge, that would be great! A month, even better. I hate when the batteries crap out while you're trying to use the calculator, and HP seems to have a thing for using relatively expensive batteries (My 35s takes a pair of CR2032s...). I'd love to be able to just charge it up for a couple hours instead.

[free_electron]

what's with the old fangled buttons. make the whole front a display and use touch buttons. now we have mechanical crap and a cramped tiny display.

they should releasy a HP calc app for smartphones. so they can use the entire touch interface and all display real estate.. THEN you would have something revolutionary.

[EEVblog]

they should releasy a HP calc app for smartphones. so they can use the entire touch interface and all display real estate.. THEN you would have something revolutionary.

HP already sell several older calcs as official apps.
Such apps would not be allowed in classroom exam though, there are very strict rules on what hardware can be bought in.