Customer Reviews

HP 19BII Financial Calculator

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

 

 

I really love my HP Business Consultant - even though I don't use half of the features that it offers. What I like the best: 1) shows you the results of your last three calculations - a real timesaver when you're doing comparisons; 2) remembers your last calculations even after you turn it off; 3) great rolodex feature that I use a lot; 4) a great travel alarm clock; 5) lot of functions available with a minimum of keystrokes; 6) easy to read display; 7) solid construction. The calculator is a bit bulky and is heavier than other calculators, but it helps me so much, it is worth it. I use it at work a lot instead of the calculators and adding machines provided, it is so much superior. Mine lasted for10 trouble-free years. Some of the keys are just starting to malfuntion, and I will replace it with the same model. Not too many electronic items that haven't been improved in 10 years - this is a very useful classic!

I really like the features of the calculator, but no matter how careful you are, the battery compartment door will break. I've had four of them, and the same exact thing happened to every one of them, without ever having been dropped or abused in any way. The plastic holding the battery compartment door has broken off and been laying on the desk without the caluclator even having been touched. When it breaks in this manner, the batteries loose contact and all data is lost. It's to bad an otherwise great product has to have a design flaw like this.

I was surprised at how OLD this thing is - the manual is from the early eighties, and that's the kind of technology you get. For example, it has the ACRS table (depreciation for tax purposes) in it's memory, yet that was replaced years ago by Modified ACRS (or MACRS), so that calculator's function is obsolete and therefore useless. I did just as well, even better, with a "cheap" yet functional TI BA-35 Solar for things like quick TVM calculations. And if you're going to spend over $100 on a calculator, why not buy a decent graphing calculator? Things like histograms with this 19BII are a total joke compared to them. I really wish that HP would make a 19BIII model. They could give this thing some REAL statistical graphing capability, make a higher resolution graphing display, update the functions, give it an algebraic entry option, replace the ACRS with MACRS, etc. Until then, I'll be using my graphing calculator.

Well, if you are serious about having a calculator that does it all and you are willing to invest the time in learning how to use it, then the HP19B II is for you. The calculator was way ahead of its time when it was introduced in the 1990's, and still has plenty of intricacies that many do not possess today. First, there is the ability to switch to any foreing language, decimal notation and most importantly the programming feature. This feature allows you to construct your own formulas, regardless of the type of business you are currently using such formulas. In addition, graphics can help in seeing your computation, although the screen is a bit too small, yet the point is to graph your computation to give you an understanding and guidance. Second, you can make appointments, reminders and a contact lists in the memory, however you must be very compact with it. Thirdly is the feature that allows you to write text!! While studying, I found this very helpful in remembering definitions and terms. Finally, the HP19BII even has an intra signal to send data to a HP printer, but such printers are hard to find and the printed results vary in quality. Make no mistake, this calculator is for the serious and in depth professional whether in statistics, finance and math. If you are a beginner, then my suggestion is try the Texas Instrument TI BAII Plus. It has many of the same featureas of the HP19B II at a fraction of the price and can stand on its own for many finance, statistic and other mathematical functions, but lack the foreign currency conversion, text, appointment reminders and programming features. On the other hand, if you really want a calculator to last you for more than 10yrs and make it an everyday companion, then the HP19B II is it!!

I've had a love for HP calculators since high-school and one of the joys of my first "real job" was the paycheck I earned that allowed me to 'upgrade' from the HP12C to the 19BII. That being said -

Since I bought my machine almost a decade ago (how time flies) things have changed a lot. I would now longer see the HP19BII as a PDA although I did once. The Alpha Keys seemed to be the best thing in the world once, but now I would have to say that they are an inconvenience. This is a machine always stuck between two worlds. It is bigger an clunkyer than my elegant HP12C ( and it is more delicate) at the same time it offers less in the way of features than my Palm Pilot (when you consider all the programs I can download).

The machine can operate either in HP's famous RPN way or as a normal calculator with algebraic entry. Honestly I almost never use the AOS mode but it has been nice for when I let others use the machine. When I have used the AOS entry I have not felt that it was well done on the machine.

I do still use the HP on a regular basis it resides in my desk at home. However this is not the kind of top of the line unit that I would bother to keep in my briefcase anymore

If your looking for a machine that you can drop off a building, do sophisticated mathematics, or use as PDA, this isn't it. But if you're a financial profesional that wants a quick, user-friendly tool, it's hard to beat. Yes, my first 19BII disintegrated when it fell off my desk, and the battery door on my second one is held on by tape, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I still own a 12C (it's built like a tank), but trying to do any sort of TVM or cash flow analysis without the benefit of the menus and displays of the 19BII is stone age. Adding a platinum face plate doesn't make the 13 any more sophisticated or easier to use.

I also own a 17BII. The 17 has many of the same menu-driven funtions as the 19 (including the Solver function that allows you to create your own multi-variable formulas and solve for the single missing one), it's cheaper, and is more readily available, but the 17 lacks three things: (1) where 19 has alpha keys for entering formulas in the Solver function, appointments, labels, etc. the 17 uses inefficient, multiple key strokes akin to spelling things on your telephone; (2) the 19 has three-line display vs. one line on the 17, which is helpful when reviewing input and viewing output (e.g. loan amortization); and (3) the 19 has a handy section that converts various length, area, volume, mass, and temperature measurements that is missing on the 17 (maybe you don't need to know that 3.6 acres = 1.46 hectares or 4.25 liters = 143.71 fl. oz., but when you do it's right there).

And for those who think the 19 isn't well built, the cheap feel of the keys on the 17 won't turn you on either.

Complicated cash flows or amortizations where you need a print-out are definitely better done in Excel, but I still use my 19 regularly to double check that Excel isn't pulling in some strange cell.

If you're looking to buy a 19, make sure to find out if it's a newer model with the battery door on the back of the unit (vs older ones that are on the side). The side doors were (and still are) prone to pop off, creating a risk of losing the door itself, the batteries (which aren't cheap), and the information stored in the machine (biggest loss is usually your Solver formulas).

If HP wants to put out a 19BIII, I'll buy one. In the meantime, I just pray that the tape continues to hold . . .

Great device!
The best that I've had. Unfortunately, the battery cover is too fragile and broken.
The worst thing is that now this model from HP is discontinued

Having used the 19bII for 16 years, I can attest to its power and flexibility. It got me through college and graduate school and now never leaves my side at work. The layout is intuitive, the keys are well-placed, providing good tactile feedback. It is simple to program, and the menus are easy to navigate. The case is a little rusty since last year the battery cover broke, but after 16 years that's not bad at all.

Just have to log my support for this great calculator, similar to others I bought an HP 19B in the beginning of my college years (1984) along with all the related add'l manuals available at the time (marketing, banking, real estate,?) and have loved and used it ever since - despite religious use of Palm devices since their inception. Yes my battery cover broke also, but high tensile clear tape quickly remedied that. Unfortunately a mishap damaged the keypad functionality requiring a replacement. I'm estatic to be able to replace it so easily! May buy two to make sure there's always a backup.

Great calculator. But my battery door broke after 13 years! Totally ruined my day. :| (that and the fact that I was working on my taxes when I noticed it). Guess I will have to try tape to keep it together. Originally bought the 19bii while in an MBA program. It has been invaluable. Math, finance, and stats layout are excellent. Love the regression plotting. Alpha and PDA functions are too clunky. Never used them because they were not useful. From a math, finance, and stats perspective I LOVE this calculator and wish the physical design of the battery door was better.