48GX versus 49



#13

Does anyone prefer the 49 over the 48GX? I have both and there is not a single thing I like about the 49 over the 48.

John Kercheval


#14

Hi;

I also have both, but there are some points I consider as big differences. No doubts about usage: the HP48 is fairly better for daily use. About the HP49, we have:

- bigger available USER memory
- Upgradable O.S. (who knows we'll be able to develop our own...)

Negative points:

- no expansion PCM-CIA slots
- no IR link (why did HP place an IR filter? Cosmetics? Future implementation?)

Despite being not so friendly for daily use, ACO guys made a great job. Anyway, let's face it: the HP49G is the best place you have to keep (and even run, if they do not use Equation Library...) your favorite HP48 programs.


#15

I'm not following you.

Why do you say:

"HP49G is the best place you have to keep (and even run, if they do not use Equation Library...) your favorite HP48 programs."

If you mean the memory, I have the 1.0MB expansion card in my GX so the RAM is nearly as much as in the 49. Also, Calcpro out of Corvalis will upgrade the internal ram to up to 2304K.

I did not know the OS was upgradeable. How do you do that?

John K.


#16

Hi;

The HP49G's O.S. is kept in FLASH memory (1 MBytes) and it can be upgraded. The original is 1.05, now it is at 1.18. You can go here, search for Flash ROM, download the file, unzip it and folow the upgrading instructions. Of course, you'll need comms SW and cable (please, don't blame me; it's just for checking purposes...).

Hope it helps.

Cheers.


#17

Very interesting.

Yes it would be good if you could upgrade the 48GX OS.

JK


#18

Hi, JK.

Maybe it's old news, but... are you aware the HP48G's OS has also been upgraded? We cannot do it, but HP made some upgrades during production. If I am not wrong, the newer ones have R-version OS.

Again, just for checking purposes. Also, www.hpcalc.org has all of them (ROM dump) available to download, INCLUDING a 1.19, Beta-release, for the HP49G. They are free to download, as HewPack made them public available. Have a look in there. Good stuff..

Cheers.

#19

HP uses the same case on the HP 39G and that has an IR port. I bought the HP 49G because it has a computer algebra system. Now I think I need both calculators.

On a side note: I didn't buy the HP 48GX first because HP does not make expansion cards for it! HP uses expandability as a selling point yet they do not sell the expansion cards!
The HP 49G selling point is an upgradable Operating System yet HP has no plans to update it!

The product info on the web is misleading.

ARUID

#20

I agree with Vieira. I like my 48 better for daily use. If you have a RAM card you can nearly equal a 49 in capability and use. However, if you want the most powerful OS (comparible to Win95 vs Win 2000) you need an Hp49. It has the latest CAS and Meta Kernal on IT for all practical purposes vs 4 year old software equalivents for the Hp48 (though these are not shabby by any means).

If you have a 48GX with RAM, the only reason to own a 49 is either to have a newer flashier, somewhat more powerful machine or to just simply have a newer calc.


#21

I also discovred that the 49 has more high level functions than the 48 :
- The gamma function with its derivatives :digamma and polygamma
- The orthogonal polynomials : Hermite, Tchebichev and Legendre

doing a lot of probability, i appreciate that because these function are not easy to program and the implementation of the digamma and polygamma are impressive (much faster) on the 49 compared to an implementation throug the mathlib card on the 48gx.

THe minus side is the lack of IR print. (I hate this stupid limitation)

olivier


#22

Are you familiar with Viktor Toth's programmable calculators website? In an article titled "Why The Madness?" he describes how seeing a calculator with the Gamma function built-in fired his fascination with programmables (he wanted the Gamma function on his calculator). He uses the Gamma function as an example (where possible) of how to program a wide variety of programmables of many brands.


#23

yes,

I like the way he talk about his passion, I think , though in different circumstances, I followed a very similar path.

I also have a SR52 , but the card reader does not work any more, I do not know why.

Olivier

#24

Several of these functions, including the Gamma are also on the Commodore Mathematician (M-55) of 1977, bought one new then, still have, overall it was the most powerful preprogrammed (not programmable) machine of it's time to my knowledge, but I would welcome other challenges on that subject!


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