Bugs?
in [HP48]
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From: Han on 3 Mar 2010 16:15 I have been contemplating buying an HP 50G recently, but am still hesitant after reading: http://bugs.hpcalc.org/buglist.cgi?query_format=specific&order=relevance+desc&bug_status=__open__&product=&content= Does anyone know HP still updates its firmware?
From: John H Meyers on 3 Mar 2010 19:41 On 3/3/2010 3:15 PM, Han wrote: > I have been contemplating buying an HP 50G recently, > but am still hesitant after reading: http://bugs.hpcalc.org/buglist.cgi?query_format=specific&order=relevance+desc&bug_status=__open__&product=&content= > Does anyone know whether HP still updates its firmware? Might as well assume not, since there's reportedly no more room in ROM :) However, the list of bugs is often ridiculous. It's also about the common ROM for the entire series (HP49G/49G+/50G), where only the very last 50G version is an extremely minor update which includes a command for connecting a lab device on 50G only. Here's an example of a "bug" which expresses nothing more than a misunderstanding of what a particular function is actually for (it's a numeric-only function, for numeric coordinate conversions, used internally for displaying vectors in different coordinate systems): http://bugs.hpcalc.org/show_bug.cgi?id=248 If you open anything whatsoever to public comment, you'll get a vast amount of critical input, of which only a small portion is really relevant or significant. At the same time, there's no corresponding list of all the functions that are packed into a product, all working and excellent, or all the software you can add to it, etc. "As you travel on through life, brother, whatever be your goal, Keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole." :) [r->] [OFF]
From: Dave Hayden on 3 Mar 2010 22:10 On Mar 3, 4:15 pm, Han <handuongs...(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I have been contemplating buying an HP 50G recently, but am still > hesitant after reading: > > http://bugs.hpcalc.org/buglist.cgi?query_format=specific&order=releva.... > > Does anyone know HP still updates its firmware? Building on what John said, consider the bug list to be a reflection of the huge amount of functionality that is packed into this little machine. Another indication is the documentation. The printed documentation that comes with it is basically a "quick reference guide," and it's nearly TWO HUNDRED pages long. The detailed "User's Guide" on the CD is almost 900 pages. The Advanced Users Guide that contains highly detailed "just the facts" descriptions of each command is 693 pages. Those documents barely mention programming in system RPL. That's another 638 page document. If cost is an issue, consider a 48gii also. If you don't expect to be loading a lot of extra programs then this may be an attractive alternative. On ebay you can find the older version of of the 40gii (with less memory, no USB and some other differences) for very cheap. If you go with one of these, be sure to thoroughly check the differences between them and the 50g to make sure you aren't giving up something important to your needs. Dave
From: greenchile505 on 4 Mar 2010 02:33 On Mar 3, 8:10 pm, Dave Hayden <d...(a)larou.com> wrote: > alternative. On ebay you can find the older version of of the 40gii > (with less memory, no USB and some other differences) for very cheap. > If you go with one of these, be sure to thoroughly check the > differences between them and the 50g to make sure you aren't giving up > something important to your needs. Regarding the "older version of the 4[8]gii (with less memory, no USB and some other differences)", one of the other differences is the old, bad keyboard. I WOULD NOT buy an older 48gii off ebay specifically for this reason. I understand the new 48gii, with four AAA batteries and USB, has the latest HP keyboard, which is light years better than the 49g+ and the 48gii three AAA model keyboards. Most agree the newest quite usable 48gii/50g keyboard is good. But not as good as the 48s[x]/g[x] calcs, but that's a whole 'nuther discussion. And I agree with John. Look at the tasty pastry, not the void. The 50g firmware can be upgraded. I've flashed mine a few times already. So you can start using it today and when a few "bugs" are fixed you can upload the latest ROM. Sadly, you can't do that with an HP 35s, which has permanent, roach motel, one-way-in-no-way-out bugs. Cheers.
From: Han on 4 Mar 2010 14:40
I think I will go ahead and buy one. Thanks for the advice, everyone. |