HP 42S Scientific Calculator from 1988
Vložit
- čas přidán 15. 07. 2024
- This video is about the venerable HP 42S, the most advanced scientific calculator from HP's Pioneer series.
In the video I talk about the 42S relationship to the 41 series. I also demo its basic functionality, complex number and matrix support and programming.
Sections of this video:
0:00 - Introduction
2:18 - Physical Design
5:48 - Basic Usage
7:40 - Alpha Register
8:37 - Catalog
9:02 - Matrices
10:46 - Programming
14:57 - Summary
For information about how to increase the speed of your 42S, check out this video • HP 42S Easy Double Spe...
For more calculator videos check out my channel / calculatorculture - Věda a technologie
I'm so happy I found my old 42s today in storage. I got it in grade 7.
This one is hard to find these days. It is unfortunate that HP has discontinued most of these scientific RPN models, except the 35s - which I bought just yesterday because I believe they will cancel it too in the near future.
You've really gotten me into calcs, especially HP's, the hobby has really improved my math skills!
That's good to hear!
Indeed. But, the problem is I can't stop to buy calculators 😭
I just got my 42S today. I found one in very good condition from an online vendor. I had been using the superb Free42 app on my phone, but I prefer the feel of physical keys when using the calculator. The keystroke programming model is very nice, and I think fits the calculator well. Some of the newer models, like the Prime, use a more verbose programming language which is cumbersome to type in.
great video as usual. I love your simple and straightforward style. I still have a perfect condition 41CX but I never had a 42. However I’m waiting for delivery of the swissmicros DM42 and can’t wait.
Of interest is the queens problem. When I was 16 (in 1983!) I wrote an n-queens solver program (in Algol-60!) and I wrote versions of it for every platform I owned (at the time) and for a few years after. I wrote a version in assembler on an HP71B and it frustrates me just how slow these devices were at the time.
I haven’t written a line of code in well over 30 years so it’s going to really stretch my brain to write it for the DM42. I’m pretty sure I can use the matrix functions to represent an n-size board as an n x 1 matrix.
From what I hear the DM42 is about 50x faster than the original 42s.
Oh I'd love to have a 41😍. I have a 42S though 😉
The HP 42S is one of my all time favorite calculators. I have a 42S and the Swiss Micros DM42.
is the Swiss Micro a much better improved version of the old 42S?
Julio C
Good question. I'd like to know too!
@@cosicave5179 Seems to be (I have one: the DM42): more memory, fast, very solidly built, with the HP-like key-clicks, and an extra rows of keys to access the soft keys (menus). The latter can be turned off if one insists on the 100% original experience. The great thing about SwissMicros' products is that the original HP manuals apply to them practically 100%. They are available on the web. That's a very big deal because those original manuals were _phenomenally well-written._ And on the SwissMicros web page there are notes describing the extra features of their products.
My favourite. I have 6 of them. Beautiful keyboard and display
Great video! Bought myself a 42s last year, I like it a lot. You got yourself a new subscriber 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Free42 is my "GTO" calculator app on my phone (Android).
Oh, I've one too, with the thermo printer. As well as the HP Prime, and the HP50g. 😊
1990s prgm mode sentances great. 42s. HP.
Old buddies of common math 1980s,1990s as young once, this only, no graphics yet, time zones.
Great video, thank you! Any chances to store/recover HP42S programs from the real calculator? I think sometime ago I read something about a modification to the infrared port…
Not sure. You could try searching the hpmuseum.org forums, if someone has done there will surely be a description there.
It was a great machine for its time. We have come a long way. Now even the entry level graphing calculators have a lot more power than this machine had 34 years ago. The advantages of the 42s was its RPN and it was built before assembly went to China. So it could last 20-30 years.
It's a bit like comparing a vintage Porsche 911 with a 2022 Toyota Corolla :)
I bought mine in 1988 and have used it daily ever since. Not had a problem so far. I haven’t programmed it since about 1989!
Would love to see a video of the DM42 with the WP43S firmware. I know you are waiting for it to get to Beta, but I still want to ask :)
Yeah I think there still a ways to go, but I'll ask Paul Dale if it is ready to make a video about.
What is the WP43S?
Anthony Hegedus
I'm glad you've asked. I know about the Wp31S and the fabulous Wp34S - both developed by Pascal Meheut; but I'm not familiar with a Wp43S. I wonder if it is a simple typo error?
The price of the HP42s people are asking for is nuts. Is this a collectable now?
It's definitely the most sought-after of the Pioneers. They are not rare but there was an order of magnitude less 42S models made than say 41Cs, and so people will pay a good amount for one in excellent condition. Another factor around online prices is that often calculators on eBay are advertised at prices 2 or 3 times their market value and they just sit there for months or years. You need to watch auctions to find out how much a model really sells for. There is a good page on HP Museum about information for collectors although it's a little out of date www.hpmuseum.org/collect.htm
@@CalculatorCulture I have the feeling the 41 are more expensive and harder to find than 42s. (also as they are older I believe it's more difficult to find a 41 in good condition.
Is HP stilling making RPN calculators?
The only current HP RPN model on the market is the 12C financial calculator. HP actually sold the HP calculator brand to two of its distributors a few years ago. They do have plans to bring the 35S back on the market and also release a new collectors edition of the 15C in the near future.
@@CalculatorCulture It seems like apart from the 12C financial, this is kind of a nostalgia market.
Hi, question which one is better HP-42S or HP-35s?
Thanks
Overall most HP fans prefer the 42S. The 35S does have some features that the 42S lacks though such as fractions and an equation solver.
The component-wise application of transcendental functions like sin or e^x to matrices is something I really don't like, as someone with training in mathematics--since there *is* a defined meaning for, say, e^M where M is a (square) matrix, and it's not that. (One way to describe it is that you diagonalize the matrix, apply the operation to the eigenvalues, then recompose for the result. You can actually do it for any matrix in Jordan normal form, that's a little more involved.) The RPL machines will just refuse to do these operations, which is fine, I suppose--they're kind of arcane, though they're important in subjects like quantum physics. Throwing an error is better than doing the wrong thing. Today's computer math packages know how to really do it.
Great video but I have to tell this:
I found it extremely difficult to follow what you were doing with the matrix. I'm a bit deaf. Soon after having created the 2x2 matrix there's an incoherent bit which begins, "while we're editing…" and ends with "…onto the stack". I cannot make out the important bit in the middle which unfortunately coincides with a series of rapid keypresses which are also difficult to follow!. After about 20 attempts to do what you're doing, I still have not got it!
Obviously, you're very familiar with it; but please could you slow down the visuals when demonstrating operations?
Many thanks. Subscribed
Apologies for the delayed response. Yes you are right, it is difficult to understand - I'll try to go slower in the future.
The video says "While you are editing, the X register is being updated with the current value you are editing or viewing, and you can form calculations on the stack... and then save them into the matrix".
You can turn on Closed Captions on the video which might also help.
I just don't understand why HP 42s is expensive on ebay, it has nothing special that other calculators don't have. it is very basic RPN calculator, only the build quality is good, nothing more.
It depends - what are you comparing it with?
@@CalculatorCulture i am saying generally. This calc has average price about 350usd. I mean what other calculators in that price range cant do that this can? Except of someone has any emotional attachment to this. I don't see price justified. I bought hp 32sii for 3usd from thrift store.
Oh I see. Yes the prices for the 42s advertised on eBay have gone up a lot recently. Not sure what is going on there.
I'm not an expert but I think its status as the last highest-end model of HP's "traditional RPN" (not RPL, not Prime) line, and as the quasi-successor to the 41c which at one time was HP's most powerful calculator and a kind of geek totem, gave it a certain mystique. It can run 41c programs and there was a huge existing world of those. The alphanumeric display makes it easier to write complex programs than with most of the keystroke programmable models.