HP HP30S Scientific Calculator with Multi-Colored Faceplates

by HP

Product Details

Product Manual [144kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 3.2 x 6.1 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004TFL6
• Item model number: HP30S
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #78 in Electronics > Office Electronics > Calculators > Scientific
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 9, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Who says cell phones get to have all the fun? This scientific calculator, with its extensive functions and robust programmability, boasts two colored faceplates, letting your inner colors fly. With a two-line, 7 x 5 dot-matrix display, you can see more, and with over 65 math and statistical features, you can do more.

The HP30S's built-in arithmetic functions include +, -, *, /, %, 1/x, +/-, plus ln, X, e^x, n!, y^x, log x, 10x, x², and pi. Additional functions include fractions, trigonometry, hyperbolic, root finder, and statistical analysis. The algebraic entry is intuitive, and no worries if you make a mistake--simply edit the command-line history. Scientific features are broad as well, ranging from polar/rectangular and angle conversions to decimal hours, minutes, seconds conversions and arithmetic unit conversions. The calculator can convert fractions to decimals as well as decimals to fractions.

Combining compact size, contemporary styling, and exceptional features, the calculator is ideal for students ranging from middle school algebra all the way up to high school and college-level trigonometry. Two faceplates are included, one in deep purple and one in translucent turquoise.

The HP30S uses two LR44 batteries and includes a one-year warranty.

Product Description

Entry level scientific calculator for high school science and math students. 250 built-in functions. Two-line display is a learning tool, showing operations with results. Combines value, higher-math power and convenience in one stylish package. User friendly and intuitive, it thinks like a student! Calculator Type: Non-Printing; Calculator Style: Scientific; Power Source(s): 1.5V Miniature Battery;Display Notation: Engineering;Numeric.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I've Tried to Like This Calculator, September 6, 2002

By 

David Wilson (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HP HP30S Scientific Calculator with Multi-Colored Faceplates (Office Product)

I hate to say this but I don't think HP has much control over their products since they're not made in-house anymore. I have tried really hard to like this calculator because it is an HP and I love my 32sII and 10B calculators. Although it's not as bad as the TI's and Casios, it pales in comparison to HP's former products. It does have some good points. It has a good key feel, not great but good. Much better than the current TI's. It has a lot of useful functions programmed in. But that's where it stops. Now the bad. No rubber feet. This thing doesn't stay still on the desktop. All of the clear functions aren't near each other. No set stats keys. You have to go through a list of stats calculations to find the answer you want. Having both memory keys and storage/recall keys is redundant. The quick reference guides use to be printed on the back of the calculator so you would never loose them. Now they are on a little card that's meant to stay in the cover every time you take it off. The thousand indicators are small and at the tops of the numbers. The slash when entering fractions is a small, backwards L symbol. They could have used a regular slash since the blocks on the entry line are made up of a 5 x 6 grid of pixels. It dosen't retain the display when turned off (however it retains recently used equations) although it does retain the display if it goes into auto shut off mode.

I guess with computers and laptops every where the art of calculator design is becoming a lost art. The only reason I'm giving this three stars is because I rate it better than the competition's products which I would give one or two.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ugh. An embarrassment to the HP name., October 5, 2004

By 

Peter J. Chandler (Central California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HP HP30S Scientific Calculator with Multi-Colored Faceplates (Office Product)

This calculator is OK for a high school junior chemistry student and that's just about it. Or keep it in your toolbox in the garage for those times when you need to figure the area of your back yard before applying lawn fertilizer.

Contrary to the reviews that say this functionality is not needed in a hand calculator, I submit for your consideration that there are PLENTY of times when you need computing horsepower and you are not conveniently seated in front of your computer, e.g. in a meeting or out in the field.

I bought this grudgingly for use in the field as a backup calculator so I wouldn't have to risk dropping my 48 in the mud and having subsequent heart failure (I am a professional engineer) and I am sorry to say it is an utter disappointment. It is only marginally better than the competing TI or Casio. Hmmm, maybe if I DID drop it in the mud, it might at least add some character.

Poor build quality, horrible instructions, crappy feel to the keys, cheezy colored faceplates... come on, HP! Think you couldn't sell reissues of the 11c or 15c or 32sII any more? Why then are you still making the 12c? Have you seen the prices the 11/15/32 are commanding on eBay? Two, three times the original retail selling price! Hmm, why do you suppose that is? And look at the number of bids they get! Geez! Wake up and smell the coffee! Bring back RPN! Bring back tactile keys! Heck yes I'll pay $150 for a 12c reissue! Shoot, I'll commit to buy six of 'em right now! Build it (a decent calculator) and They Will Come!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars several calculators reviewed, November 11, 2000

By 

newton fisher - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP HP30S Scientific Calculator with Multi-Colored Faceplates (Office Product)

This is a review of 4 calculators marketed for `High School''. These are: The Hewlett Packard 30S, The Texas Instrument 30X II S and T.I. 34 II, and the Sharp 506R.

Most of the opinions are those of my niece [grade 6], and two nephews [7th and 8th grade]. At the end I shall insert mine [I am a retired tech writer]

For anyone who has to use fractions the T.I. 34 II is best as it shows fraction simplification and L.C.D. finding in steps rather then just a result as do the others.

The HP 30 S has many functions not used by anyone not IN school. A fine calculator with every tool anyone would reasonably want. HP is known for poor instructions. Figure it will take you at least a week to `figure this calculator out. `

The TI 30X II S has fewer functions then the HP [but most one needs] and is the most easy of those 2 to use and has the best instructions. Figure it will take you an hour to `figure this calculator out'. `It is the best liked by the 8th grader.

The Sharp is `unto itself'. The most functions. A super low price. Lousy instructions. Feels `cheap'. Hard to use. An adventure in calculator use. No kid here likes it.

If I could have but one calculator of these it would be [marginally] the HP 30 S. I dont like its keys and keyboard as much as the TI's but I do like the HP equation solver. As I wrote it is a very marginal `call' between the TI 30X II S and the HP 30 S and to me it was/is the TI ease of use and great support vs the HP's linear and quadratic equation solvers and additional functions. And before someone from Sharp sqacks their calculator can do calculus ... ya, but I dont.

As to the HP colored faceplates. I am not `much impressed' but the kids are sure it is the HP 30 S's greatest and `coolest' feature.