HP HP48GX RPN Expandable Graphic Calculator

by HP

Product Details

Product Manual [20.97mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 3.2 x 7.1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00004TFKZ
• Item model number: HP48GX
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #24 in Electronics > Office Electronics > Calculators > Scientific
  • #35 in Electronics > Office Electronics > Calculators > Graphing
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 9, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Hewlett-Packard's HP 48GX is the most powerful calculator in the 48 series, offering the same advanced calculation and programmability features as its siblings, along with expansion options that should appeal to power users and programmers. All this is made possible by the expansion card slot, which lets users expand the built-in memory from 128 KB to a maximum of 1.256 MB or install application software that adds more advanced features to the calculator.

The 48GX is no slouch. Its colorful array of buttons lets users tap into 2,300 built-in functions, 300 of which are built-in formulas and scientific constants that encompass the spectrum of the mathematical and scientific fields. It handles everything from basic algebra equations to advanced trigonometric and statistical calculations. Best of all, if the 48GX doesn't have a feature you desperately need, you can use the built-in object-oriented programming language to create functions from scratch. You can then label your creations and access them as you would any other feature that is integrated with the calculator.

The 48GX uses reverse polish notation (RPN, also called postfix notation), which can be difficult for beginners to grasp, but advanced students and professionals will appreciate RPN's elegance and relative simplicity. An optional connectivity kit lets users connect the device to a PC to download new equations and software, and the integrated infrared port lets you share data with other calculators or output your graphs, plots, or other results to a separately available infrared printer. Typical students may want to opt for a less expensive (and less expandable) calculator in the 48 series, like the 48G+, but for those who demand the best and may need more than 128 KB of memory, the 48GX is the clear choice. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• RPN can speed data entry with practice
• Expansion slot adds extra memory and software options
• Programmable, so you can add nearly any feature you like

Cons:

• Cluttered keypad
• Learning RPN and basic object-oriented programming can be daunting for the uninitiated

Product Description

Item Name: HP 48GX (128KB) graphing calculator - used. Cosmetic Condition: Good Perfect Working Condition HP 48GX Expandable RPN Graphing Calculator with two expansion card slots This item has been discontinued by the manufacturer. We have a limited number of used calculators available at the price listed on this page; once they are gone we'll likely stop carrying this model. These used units have been verified by us to be in good condition and in working order. Includes cable and batteries. Does not include: Manuals or manufacturer warranty. Returns will not be accepted for this item, but we will repair or replace defective units for an extended period of 60 days.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PERFECT COMPANION FOR BOTH ENGINEERS AND SERIOUS STUDENTS, April 22, 2001

By 

H. Kyu (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP HP48GX RPN Expandable Graphic Calculator (Office Product)

For a serious electronic engineering student in his senior year in college, calculations extensively revolve around converting units including bases as well as vectors. Compared to it's competitions from TI, it is such a no nonsense super-powerful engineering calculator that even the TI-92 doesn't come close to what this 48-GX can do. Entering numbers in RPN format may be quite tricky at first, but after about 4-hrs later, I came to prefer this format over the algebraic one. RPN totally eliminates the need of parenthesis. Algebriac fans can do algebriac entry and/or display too. It has a massive expendable equation library, so there is no need to carry around a ton of formula sheets. I also own a TI-85 and a CASIO FX-115W. Other than not being able to graph, the little $20 CASIO is much stronger and capable than the TI. It can do integration, derivatives, and can easily convert bases (HEX, BIN, DEC) and vectors (POL, REC). Up until I bought the 48-GX, I only used the CASIO. Now I don't have to use the CASIO anymore. I did some comparisons with my friends and found out that this HP calculator has all the ability of a TI-89 and a CASIO FX-2 as well as the usability of a CASIO-FX-115W, in addition to many more features, including easy expendable memory using cards which can be used like floppy disks to store infinite data, alarm clock, dnld and play music, x-fers to other 48-G/G+/GX by means of infrared light, symbolic calculations that can be converted into a numeric answer in one step, add/sub/mul/div polar and rectangular formats together in the same step, and don't forget the UNDO button when something goes oops. This is only to mention a few. It comes with an intro manual, and a very good comprehensive manual. If you are an engineer or a serious engineering student, one day alone with the 48-GX is all you need to famaliarize yourself with it, and chances are you'll never go back to a weak and overpriced TI again. If you don't need 3D analysis, HP-39G or CASIO FX-2.0 is recommendable, which are equal to TI-86. If you don't need graphing, CASIO FX-115W is a good choice.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mercedes Benz of Calculators, January 11, 2004

By 

Ken Bourque (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP HP48GX RPN Expandable Graphic Calculator (Office Product)

Being a college professor of Electrical Engineering for over 30 years, and having used numerous brands and models of calculators and having written reviews of some of them for various publications, there is no doubt in my mind that the HP48GX is indeed head and shoulders above all the other calculators (even the HP49). The RPL entry system is a natural and easy to learn process that mimics the pencil and paper approach that we've all learned in Grammar school arithmetic. The efficiency of input and the ease with which it handles comlex-number calculations is second to none. Formulae can be entered with mixed units and the calculator automatically performs internal conversions to present the answer in whatever valid units you desire. It handles 2-D and 3-D vectors with all the corresponding mathematical operations seemlessly. The infrared connectivity (wireless) and RS232 port (wire) both allow communication between another HP calculator and your computer. This calculator has the right mix of 'function per key' versus 'menu per key' that makes it very easy to negotiate.
One can enter a formula in algebraic notation and the calculator can solve for one of the variables in symbolic and/or numeric form (if all the other vales are specified). The keystroke error recovery facility is superb. A couple of days with this calculator and most people cannot go back to their old 'Algebraic Operating System' calculators, with its cumbersome parenthesis, without making a mistake.
There is not enough space here to praise this calculator to the extent that it deserves. Over the years with all the students and professionals I've had contact with, I know of no one who has ever regretted purchasing this calculator except for the fact that they realized that they waisted money on purchasing their AOS calculators.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best calculator in the world, February 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: HP HP48GX RPN Expandable Graphic Calculator (Office Product)

This an incredible machine. Has a bit of a learning curve to be able to harness it's power, though. Has unit conversion, terrific equation capability, and probably more software written for it than any other calculator in the world. If you just need basic calculator functions, however, this isn't the one for you. Also, if you're not familiar with RPN (reverse polish notation, i.e. 4 ENTER 5 + displays 9, instead of algebraic 4 + 5 = displaying 9), then you should avoid it; buy a cheaper RPN machine 1st and see if you can adapt to it. RPN, however, is far superior to algebraic notation once you get used to it. Do NOT waste your money on the HP 49, which I also own, and can't stand. The HP 49 has rubber buttons which are hard to press, and a bizzare color, and is very difficult to use.