HP 32Sii Scientific Calculator

Other products by Hewlett-Packard

Product Details

Product Manual [2.48mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000JBMH
• Item model number: HP32SII
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #19 in	Electronics > Office Electronics > Calculators > Scientific
  #68 in	Office Products > Education & Crafts > Math Materials > Calculators

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Calling all engineers--Hewlett-Packard's HP32SII Scientific Calculator is the calculator for you. With 384 bytes of memory, 26 variable keys, more than 100 built-in scientific and mathematical functions, and RPN data entry, you'll find everything you need for efficient and fast calculating in this compact unit.

We like Hewlett-Packard's HP Solve feature, which lets you solve for any variable without having to rewrite your equation. And, like most scientific calculators, the HP32SII can perform decimal/hour/minute/second conversions, polar/rectangular/angle conversions, unit conversions, base conversions, and arithmetic.

The LCD can display one line with 12 characters and is bright enough for most environments. The calculator runs on three LR44 batteries, which come with the unit.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HP's best designed calculator, September 4, 2000

By	David Simpson (Laurel, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been a big fan of HP calculators for about 25 years now, and have about 15 of them in my collection. The HP-32SII is the best-designed calculator they have yet made. Some of the upper-end models are a bit much and complex to use, while some of the lower-end models use algebraic logic and are lacking in some commonly needed features. The HP-32SII is just right -- enough features to make it very useful, while not being overdesigned. It's easy to program, and its RPN continues to be one of my favorite features. This is the calculator I use for scientific use on a daily basis. You won't be disappointed with this one.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ROLLS ROYCE of calculators, July 23, 2001

By	VIRGO (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

I purchased my first calculator about 30 years ago - the HP35 for US$400. I have used Hewlett Packard calculators ever since. My second purchase was the HP 12C, a beautifully designed financial calculator that is still on the market some 15 or 20 years later and which I still use from time to time.

I have used the HP32SII since 1993 under the extreme conditions of classroom use as a math teacher in a secondary school. Chalk dust is ever present and I couldn't count the number of times it has fallen from my desk to the floor. I recommend this calculator to my senior math students but they shy away from it because of the price. This is false economics. None of the other brands have the durability to last, making them in the long run expensive calculators. I know this from the experience of my students who purchase cheaper competing brands.

The features that attract me to the HP 32SII are the Reverse Polish Notation, which is the superior way of doing arithmetic and the ease with which intermediate calculations can be stored.

Hewlett Packard makes up for its poor manuals with superb service and getting it right the first time. How many other calculators stay on the market for so many years after they are first introduced.

I purchased my daughter an HP 48GX when she entered Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toronto 6 years ago. At first she "swore" at it because of the RPN but quickly came to swear by it. Most of her classmates used the same HP as well.

The HP32SII is a solid performer at its level of functionality. When I need more I use a software package such as MAPLE V which I am confident will be available someday on a hand held computer.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a model of product design, December 12, 2002

By	"rodander" (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews

I have used the 32SII for a few years now. I agree with the other reviewers about RPN.

This calculator is not only the finest calculator ever, from the standpoint of power and value, but I think it ranks near the top of the finest product designs ever, for any product. There is nothing about it that can be improved. The form factor is just right. All functions are where they belong. Every key clicks the same, and clicks right. Batteries last forever. This product should be in a museum of outstanding product design.

Having said that, I will editorialize a bit. I am severely disappointed that HP discontinued this product. I think it speaks volumes that the new HP cannot recognize its own product excellence, and apparently fails to value the things that brought it customer loyalty.