Hewlett Packard HP-42S
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Hewlett Packard HP-42S
- Type: Programmable RPN Electronic Calculator
- Size: 3 x 5.5 inches / 8 x 14 cm
- Serial number: 3046S05783
- Date of Manufacture: November 1990
Accessories
- Hewlett Packard 82240A Infrared Thermal Printer
In the late 1980s, HP introduced their Saturn processor-based calculators. These included the 28 series, 48 series and a line codenamed "Pioneer" which includes the highly popular 42S.
The 42S was aimed at HP-41 series users who were finally discovering the joy of planned obsolescence. HP-41 programs could be ported with little to no modification. The machine was faster, had more memory (7200 bytes!) and more functions (including, built-in, complex numbers, the Solver, numerical integration and matrix operations.) With faux leather case and manual.
This unit was also cheaper than the 41, which was a good thing because, except the ability to communicate with the 82240A printer, the unit was unable to interface with any of the 41 series peripherals.
If you weren't one of the thousands of users faced with rekeying in their programs, though, you've just bought one of the finest calculators HP made. This unit represents the apex of their keystroke programmables. More programmability would only come with the RPL calculators. The unit is oddly popular, commanding over $200 on certain auction sites which shall remain nameless.
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