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What's the current go-to calculator for electrical engineers?
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rstofer:

--- Quote from: BreakingOhmsLaw on October 31, 2021, 02:55:49 pm ---I know RPN has some advantages, but having used PN all my life that's probably an exercise in frustration.

Does anyone use a HP Prime and can report whether it's good for EE?

--- End quote ---

I have the calculator in daily use, right next to my mouse.  I retired about 18 years ago so my opinion on functionality is probably worthless.  But I like it!

It is not my favorite calculator, that would be the HP 48GX - I just find it easier to use.  Why use the Prime instead?  The lighted display.  Along with old age comes failing eyesight.  The Prime has a beautiful display.

Mostly I use the calculator to evaluate simple expressions.  If I want a plot, I move to MATLAB (or Octave - free).  While I could solve matrix problems on the Prime, I find it easier to use MATLAB.  If nothing else, editing is easier.

We can go on forever about the merits of RPN versus Algebraic versus Textbook entry schemes and not get anywhere.  I have been using RPN since the HP 35 came out in '73 and it just flows from my fingers.  Of course I'm going to recommend it.  And I will understand if people don't like it.

But the HP Prime has all 3 entry schemes, take your pick.

In summary, I would highly recommend the Prime

See page 13

http://www.hp.com/united-states/calculator/HP_Prime_Quick_Start_Guide_EN_2015.pdf
rstofer:
There's an entire series of videos related to the HP Prime.  Since complex results are disabled by default, here is a good one to start with:



Search Google YouTube for 'Technology In College Algebra' to find other helpful videos.

bsfeechannel:

--- Quote from: rstofer on November 04, 2021, 11:06:03 pm ---In summary, I would highly recommend the Prime

--- End quote ---

Dave's gonna love this calculator. It doesn't have an explicit hyperbolic function on the keyboard, much less a dedicated hyp key.
Just_another_Dave:
Has anyone tried numworks (https://www.numworks.com/ )?
RJSV:
(Sorry about blurry photo, I'm a disabled engineer, renting in Silicon Valley, so cheap Google phone)
   This 'Dollar Store's calculator: Well, it got me interested in STATISTICS... A good thing to know the basics, at least...

   The calculator from Scenery Electronics Limited, model SS 6618, features STAT functions for 'standard deviation' and a couple of other basic statistics metrics.
   Course it also features a 'HYP' button, Dave...
Plus the usual 'arc hyp tan (-1 power) blabla bla.
But ALSO 'n!' (factorial), and an extensive set of binary hex and even OCTAL translations, and number 'complement. Even a 'RND' (random) key, useful for statistics.
   I focussed on the statistics part, because that's a new subject for me...
  Top lable sez "Electronic Scientific Calculator" and it's very lightweight. 8 1/2 bucks, or some such 'Dolla Store's purchasing of various over-stocked, or Mexican market over-runs they got deal (Dollar Store buys distressed production runs etc)
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