TI 89 or HP 50g (for programming and more)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison between the TI-89 and HP 50g calculators, focusing on their programming capabilities, performance specifications, and suitability for engineering students. Participants explore aspects such as processing speed, community support, and usability in academic settings.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a preference for the HP 50g due to its higher processing speed and expandable memory, questioning why it is cheaper than the TI-89.
  • Another participant asserts that the HP 50g is more powerful than the TI-89 but acknowledges a steeper learning curve.
  • Some participants highlight the importance of community support for the TI-89, noting its larger library of programs and games.
  • There is a discussion about the potential performance of a Game Boy emulator on the HP 50g if it were ported, with uncertainty about its speed compared to the TI-89.
  • Questions are raised about the efficiency of RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) versus algebraic entry in exams, with no clear consensus on which is faster.
  • Participants mention the need for additional accessories, like a serial cable for programming the HP 50g, but do not clarify if other methods exist.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the superiority of the HP 50g versus the TI-89, with some favoring the HP for its capabilities and others valuing the TI for its community support. The discussion remains unresolved regarding which calculator is definitively better for programming and exam use.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the learning curve associated with the HP 50g and the varying availability of both calculators in retail and online markets. There are also references to external resources for programming lessons, but no consensus on the best approach to learning or using either calculator effectively.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for engineering students or professionals considering which graphing calculator to purchase, particularly those interested in programming capabilities and performance in academic settings.

oroboro
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I know the general answer to the question, but I want to get a TI-89 or HP 50g because I want to write C programs (Z80 asm was too fustrating) and of course, because I want a good calculator to use on exams (electrical engineering).

According to Wikipedia, the TI-89 (Titanium) has only about 17 MHz while the HP 50g has a 203 MHz processor clocked at 75 MHz and can be easily overclocked. On top of that, the HP has expandable memory and infrared. Why then, is the HP 50g $30-$40 cheaper than the TI-89? Is that processing speed available for user programs?

The TI-89 however, has a much larger community and many more programs and games. I especially want the GB emulator, but it runs way too slow (I need games to prevent myself from falling asleep sometimes).

Say the GB emulator were to be somehow ported to the HP 50g, then would the HP 50g be able to run it faster?

I know nothing of RPN, but is it actually faster to read what you've written algebraicly, convert it to RPN mentally, and then enter it into the calculator? Does RPN make doing exams any faster?

Also, which has better C programming support (unofficial and/or official)? For the HP 50g, do I need to get the serial cable or is there another method?

Thanks
 
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I have an HP50G and I love it!

If you're planning to be a real professional (Engineer and or Scientist) then you really do need an HP Calculator. And Yes it is much more powerful than the TI-89 but the learning curve can take a while but I'm pretty sure if you are smart enough to do Physics you can do an HP50G, if you can do Calculus...you can do HP50G!

As long as you carry the Instructional Manual around with you you'll be fine. And the reason why HP50G is cheaper than the TI-89 is because Hewlett Packard ($100 Billion dollar company) can actually afford to lower the cost without hurting itself financially to produce you a superior product as good if not better than TI's. It's a strategic move to compete against the Monopoly that Texas Instrument has in the Industry.

There's also slot room for 2GB of Flash expansion memory to store your additional programing.

A good site for add-ons: :approve: :blushing:
http://www.hpcalc.org/

Youtube Videos on HP50G:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hp50g&search_type=
 
The only way for you to separate yourself from the Men and the Boys in your classroom is for you to get an HP Calculator! I'm not promising you'll be getting any dates from the ladies and all, but your classmates, even the Teacher, will be drooling all over you when they see you with an HP50G.

Its the Ferrari brand of calculators as of right now. lol. :cool:
 
Hippo said:
I have an HP50G and I love it!

If you're planning to be a real professional (Engineer and or Scientist) then you really do need an HP Calculator. And Yes it is much more powerful than the TI-89 but the learning curve can take a while but I'm pretty sure if you are smart enough to do Physics you can do an HP50G, if you can do Calculus...you can do HP50G!

As long as you carry the Instructional Manual around with you you'll be fine. And the reason why HP50G is cheaper than the TI-89 is because Hewlett Packard ($100 Billion dollar company) can actually afford to lower the cost without hurting itself financially to produce you a superior product as good if not better than TI's. It's a strategic move to compete against the Monopoly that Texas Instrument has in the Industry.

There's also slot room for 2GB of Flash expansion memory to store your additional programing.

A good site for add-ons: :approve: :blushing:
http://www.hpcalc.org/

Youtube Videos on HP50G:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hp50g&search_type=
Thank you for the reply. I'll definitely be getting the HP 50g then - I don't mind the learning curve and it'll be worth it if I am to continue using it once I start working as a professional engineer. I had almost ordered it, but decided to wait until I got a response. For some reason, it's difficult to find in retail stores and most of the online stores ship it in 1-2 weeks.

Hippo said:
The only way for you to separate yourself from the Men and the Boys in your classroom is for you to get an HP Calculator! I'm not promising you'll be getting any dates from the ladies and all, but your classmates, even the Teacher, will be drooling all over you when they see you with an HP50G.

Its the Ferrari brand of calculators as of right now. lol. :cool:
lol...
 
Here to download E-Lessons in PDF files:
http://www.thiel.edu/Mathproject/CalculatorLessons/Default.htmAn Introduction to Programming HP Graphing Calculators:
http://www.thiel.edu/Mathproject/ITPHPC/Default.htm

Enjoy.
 
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