The Hp48 is superior to the 42s in every regard except one. It really doesn't fit in a regular sized pocket. That said, there is a program (Free, I believe) that emulates the Hp41c, cv, or Cx depending upon what you load. The keyboard is redefinable so that any commonly used functions can be assigned (similiar to the 42) and the amount of functions and capabilities are much greater.
If you don't need trig or matrix capability, the Hp17b is also still available, though about all I can say for it is that it has a great statistics package and solver built in, 7 K RAM, RPN/algebraic selectable and an IR output, same as the 42s. I don't use any business functions professionally.
If you got to put up with the greater size of the 48, you might as well reap the benefits of the extra horsepower.