madler@tybalt.caltech.edu (Mark Adler) (03/07/90)
HP'S MOST ADVANCED HANDHELD INTEGRATES ENGINEER'S USE
OF CALCULATORS AND PERSONAL COMPUTERS
Hewlett-Packard Company Tuesday announced a scientific calculator designed
to capitalize on the dedicated user interface of a calculator while taking
advantage of the storage and display capabilities of personal computers.
New features on the $350 HP 48SX scientific expandable calculator include:
o Automatic unit management;
o Serial interface to personal computers plus a two-way
infrared interface;
o Graphics integrated with calculus functions; and
o HP EquationWriter application.
"Calculators are following the same technology curve as personal
computers," said Daniel Terpack, general manager of HP's Corvallis (Ore.)
Division. "Innovations in hardware and software are producing products,
such as the HP 48SX, that have a tremendous impact on how engineers solve
computational problems."
"With the unit management and graphics features in the HP 48SX, engineers
can develop, solve, and analyze problems on the calculator," Terpack said.
"Calculators have the advantage of a user interface designed specifically
for engineering problem solving."
Automatic Unit Management
-------------------------
One of an engineer's biggest headaches is converting the units of
measurement for all the values in a problem to a common unit system before
solving the problem. The HP 48SX cures that headache with automatic unit
management.
HP believes the HP 48SX is the first calculator that converts units
automatically. With the HP 48SX, engineers avoid tedious unit conversions
and inaccurate answers due to conversion mistakes.
The unit management function converts 148 different units in 16 categories
such as force, mass and energy. In addition to the supplied units,
engineers can build compound units, such as kilograms per second (kg/s),
and add their own units (see figure 1).
Serial Interface Kit
--------------------
An optional serial interface kit comes with a serial cable and data
communications software on 3-1/2 inch and 5-1/4 inch disks to link the HP
48SX to IBM-compatible and Macintosh personal computers.
The interface kit gives engineers the advantages of using a large monitor
and QWERTY keyboard for programming the HP 48SX. Operating the HP 48SX
from a personal computer is like adding software to the computer.
The added benefits of the HP 48SX are that it is less expensive than most
comparable software packages, and the HP 48SX can be disconnected from the
computer and used alone.
While linked to a personal computer, the HP 48SX can share the computer's
printer to generate high-quality printouts and use the computer's disk
drive to store data and programs.
Two-way Infrared Interface
--------------------------
The HP 48SX has a two-way infrared (I/R) interface that receives data as
well as sends it. One HP 48SX can transfer programs and data to another
via the infrared light beam. The interface also works with the portable HP
82240B printer.
Enhanced Graphics
-----------------
A number of new features enhance the graphics capabilities of the HP 48SX
beyond what is available on other calculators. For instance, the HP 48SX
integrates graphics and calculus functions to automatically find roots,
intersections, local extremes, derivatives, slopes and areas under a curve
all with a graph in the 8-line by 22-character display (see figure 2).
The HP 48SX displays graphs in eight formats: function, bar charts,
histograms, scatter plots, conic sections, polar, parametric, and truth
plots (see figure 3).
HP EquationWriter Application
-----------------------------
HP believes the HP 48SX is the only calculator that lets engineers enter
equations in the same form as they appear in a textbook. This eliminates
the need to translate equations into a computer language form.
The HP EquationWriter application makes it easy to enter equations,
improves equation clarity for more accurate verification, and enhances an
engineer's ability to manipulate symbolic expressions (see figure 4).
Expandability
-------------
The HP 48SX expands to fit the engineer's needs. Two expansion slots
accept random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM) cards.
Optional 32k-byte and 128k-byte RAM cards are available to expand the HP
48SX's memory. In the future, special ROM cards will be available to
customize the HP 48SX for specific topics such as surveying.
HP Solve Equation Library Application Card
------------------------------------------
More than 300 science and engineering equations are built into the optional
HP Solve Equation Library Application Card. This ROM card contains
equations for subjects such as columns and beams, electricity, and fluid
flow.
Where it is appropriate, a graphic representation of a problem accompanies
an equation. For instance, a picture of a cantilever beam is displayed
with the beam equation. The application card even contains the periodic
table of elements (see figure 5).
Programming
-----------
The HP 48SX can be customized through the HP Solve application and the HP
48SX's built-in programming language. The HP Solve application allows
engineers to find numerical solutions to equations without having to
isolate the dependent variable. The high-level programming language in the
HP 48SX lets users develop custom programs to fit their specific needs.
Time Management
---------------
An added bonus in the HP 48SX is its time and appointment features with
alarms that can be set to remind engineers of their appointments. When an
alarm is acknowledged, the reminder appears in the display.
Prices
------
Item Part number U.S. list price
HP 48SX HP 48SX $350.00
Serial interface
for IBM PC HP 82208A $99.95
Serial interface
for Apple Macintosh HP 82209A $99.95
HP Solve Equation
Library Application
Card HP 82211A $99.95
32k-byte RAM card HP 82214A $79.95
128k-byte RAM card HP 82215A $250.00
Infrared printer HP 82240B $135.00
Information in this release applies specifically to products available in
the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in
non-U.S. markets.billw@hpcvra.CV.HP.COM (Bill Wickes) (03/08/90)
The serial interface kits should be listed at $59.95, not $99.95.