Hewlett Packard 49G Graphic Calculator

For new users who figure out that HP calculators are difficult to use due to the RPN entry system, HP introduced an algebraic mode. Nevertheless, if you come from a HP 48 and want to access RPN and soft menus, simply press the mode key and choose RPN and clear flag 117.

HP has eliminated the equation library from this calculator because it was forbidden in some colleges but you can easily download an install an equation library with all the equations of the 48 from the HPcalc web site.

Pros

- It improves upon the features of the classic 48 series in many ways,
- it includes a new step-by-step CAS feature that makes it a better than the TI 89 for example,
- a new step-by-step solver for integrals and derivatives has been implemented, it will be appreciated by students especially in calculus classes,
- the memory has been increased to 1.5 Mb for programs and 1 Mb for the OS,
- the OS is upgradable,
- the blue screen has been replaced with an easier to see black grayscale screen that provides improved contrast,
- the processor speed has been doubled and the OS tweaked for higher speeds,

Cons

- The real strenght of HP calculators was the quality of construction and notably the keyboard with the big enter key, the RPN entry mode, the design and the huge power of computing and programming offered by the stack management even if it is a little bit painfull at first. This time is over and profitability and shareholders opinion is now the only thing that counts,
- even if the processor is much faster than 48 series, the OS/GUI made using it much slower,
- this is one of the first calculator where you can experience crashes that is completely unacceptable even if a reset button is supplied,
- it has soft rubber keys that you have to sit on to get them to register. If the key does register, sometimes it will hang up,
- if you try to graph anything with this calculator, it takes a very long time to finish, even adding simple integers, the calculator would chug along very slowly,
- it is too expensive compared to what can can have with a HP-48GX,
- it looks like a 'wannabe TI'.

Conclusion

If you are a new user who never used a HP calculator before, you will probably appreciate this calculator that has been made for you.

If you already own a HP-48 (despite the model) or are a 'HP click' fan (relative to the feeling when you press a key on previous models) looking first to have a good quality and powerfull product for your money, you will probably be disapointed with this calculator. The HP-48GX calculator is the last model of the HP glory's day.

Excellent engineering calculator. Programming documentation is less than adequate. The documentation shows basic ideas. Enough though to build more sophisticated progams.