Customer Reviews

HP 10B Financial Calculator

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have used (and own) many of the available financial calculators on the market. I "recommend" the HP-10B to my university finance students, both graduate and undergraduate.

The HP 10B is a directly positioned competitor to the TI-BA-II+, but HP's entry is superior. The keys feel more solid, the machine itself "seems" better made. Having worn out more than one of each, my experience has been that the HP has more staying power. And, the TI-BA-II+ often requires more keystrokes to accomplish the same tasks (i.e., NPV calculations). ...

The HP 10B has a well written manual, including examples on using the function. HP has the manual available on-line on their website for the inevitable time that the user needs it and has lost the original.

While there are cheaper financial calculators, it seems that this particular level is the minimum I would recommend to professionals or students. Less expensive versions, while saving a few dollars, miss important features. As a general rule of thumb, if the calculator can perform the "IRR" function, as this can, it will be able to handle pretty much any calculation into which the finance student, professonal, or banker will run. Lesser machines do not have this function.

Ironically, even larger fancier calculators, such as the venerable HP-12C, are in my estimation inferior as well. The 12C uses RPN logic which, while saving even more keystrokes, is simply foreign to most students. More importantly, some functions, such as the Time Value of Money functions, on the 12C require interpretation. On the 12C, for example, solving for the number of periods in an annuity, the value gets rounded UP to the next integer.

Strongly recommended as the best value in inexpensive financial calculators.

I have owned all of Hewlett Packard's financial calculators. The HP-10B has several features that make it the calculator I like to use. It has a 1 line BOLD display, which makes it very easy to read. This feature is extremely important to me, as my eyes aren't as good as they once were. It has all of the standard financial functions, such as uneven cash flow analysis and TVM (time value of money). The only thing I miss on the 10B is RPN. It would be nice if that were an option, along with a built in cover, like the HP-19B. I solved the cover problem with an Astech plastic case, which, unfortunately, is no longer available. If your vision is less than perfect and you don't want to spend alot of money for a financial calculator, you will be very pleased with the 10B. Even if you have perfect vision, you won't go wrong with this calculator.

This is a well designed calculator for quick TVM,cashflow and basic business as well as light statistical calculations. This specific model was required for an MBA Finance class I took recently, or I probably would not have purchased, as I already had a TI Business Scientific (now renamed to Business II or something like that.) A few classical basic scientific functions are included as well except for trig. The numerical range of the calculator (E+/-499 power) is impressive and consistant with the HP 20S mid-range scientific. The keyboard is well laid out, and the calculator helps maintain the high quality HP image. At recent prices like Amazon's it is a bargan, and occasionally has a $5 rebate which makes almost a gift. If you need something more powerful, look at the HP-17BII (quite a bit pricier if you don't need the power) or even higher end business models HP makes in the clamshell.

I bought this calculator as required equipment for my CFP program. It is far more capable than the old TI BA-II I had used for years. I spent about an hour going through the well written manual and doing practice problems to familiarize myself with the calculator's logic. You can do all kinds of cash flow analyses with it that are not possible on the TI. I use the Time Value of Money calculations frequently, and you can even change the payments and rate of return in specific periods. The only thing it won't do is print out the information!

I would recommend it for any financial professional or a serious do-it-yourself financial planner.

Bought the critter in 1987, over 20 years ago. It still functions wonderfully. The display is clear and crisp and the writing upon the buttons and the body of the calculator are fade-free.

I do not know if the units made today or in the recent past or made as well, designed to last as long, but if the same tooling and components are used one could assume the newer units would last as long as mine has.

I am still amazed, pert' near astounded, at the battery longevity. The original three round button-style batteries dwell within the case. I peek at them occasionally to say "Hi" and ensure that no corrosion is swarming and multiplying upon them akin to bacteria within one of Petri's dishes.

So far, no corrosion or any indication of leakage. Reminds me of an electrically powered faux rabbit operating a percussion instrument... you know the refrain... going and going and going.

Will these batteries never die? Will they outlive me? Could I possibly possess the sought for lusted-after perpetual motion machine or its electronic equivalent?

I never bothered to spawn so I have no progeny to pass this mini electronic brain to when I pass beyond this plane of existence. Sniff. Maybe this calculator and its awesome batteries is capable of providing multi-generational operation.

Hopefully others of the human herd will obtain the same or similar satisfaction I have obtained from this product.

And may your batteries live long and prosper as mine have.

UPDATE

March 29, 2011 and the three button batteries continue to provide ample power and still nary a hint of corrosion.

I am sated.

I've used the HP 10B almost daily for the entire 16 years I've been a mortgage loan officer. Next to a telephone and computer, this is one of the essential tools of my business -- and one of the all-time best-designed electronic devices I've ever owned. The 10B is easy to use, exceedingly reliable, well-built, and rugged. It comes with well-written manual that clearly explains the basic types of real-life financial calculations and provides keystroke-by-keystroke examples of each. This calculator does not use the "reverse Polish" keystroke sequences of the classic HP 12C. It's simpler and has fewer whistles and bells. That's why I like it. I don't want an overload of useless esoteric whistles and bells. I don't want a complicated calculator. I need a simple one that does just the things I need and not much more. This machine fits the bill perfectly. Its lack of bloatware and feature overload keeps it simple to operate. The only thing it doesn't do that I need to do as a loan officer (but that the HP 12C does do) is to add and subtract dates and numbers of days. For that I keep an Excel spreadsheet on the Start menu of my desktop computer.

even though not made anymore, excellent construction quality and features. much better than the 10bII. also check out a site called "[...]". manual for 10b
can be downloaded from hp company website.

Amazon-verified purchase review: I purchased the used HP 10B financial calculator from a Amazon-sponsored vendor. It was a fair price and arrived in the condition that was promised. I'm very happy with this purchase and may well avail myself of opportunities to buy from Amazon-sponsored vendors in the future.

got this calculator for a business finance class preforms all necessary functions without the brand new price! totally worth the buy!

The HP 10B is a great business calculator. I used the HP 12C for many years, but bought this because of a class I'm taking, and I'm totally happy with it. I hear it's not available anymore, which is why I looked for it on Amazon.