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From: zimmer@calvin.tmc.edu (Andrew Zimmerman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: calculators vs computers
Message-ID: <1049@helens.Stanford.EDU>
Date: 21 Sep 90 05:43:21 GMT
Sender: news@helens.Stanford.EDU
Reply-To: zimmer@calvin.stanford.edu (Andrew Zimmerman)
Organization: Stanford University
Lines: 49


DISCLAIMER:  Currently I am a little upset with HP, so some of my comments
might be biased.

I purchased an HP48sx a couple of months ago to play around with.  I was 
quite impressed with all of the features of the calculator, and just had
to have a calculator that actually supported the kermit protocol.

Anyway, my question is, "How do people actually use this type of calculator/
computer?"  So far, a lot ot the messages on the net have been for such
things as appointment books, phone numbers, games (tetris, brix, music)
and for hacking (sass, sad, and the processor notes).

It would seem to me that some of the laptop computers would be better 
suited for these types of applications.  Currently, a machine like the
Atari Portfollio is about the same price but is larger.  On the other
hand, you can get the same size if you want to pay big bucks. (ie the
Poquet and the TI-78 are both about $1500).  Another example would be
the Radio-Shack laptop for about $800.  

Each of these would allow you to have games, databases, calculator
functions, programability, and the opportunity to play with machine 
language.  With the addition of a program like MathCad, you add
graphing and unit management to you laptop.  Laptops also have the
advantage of more memory, and usually a disk device.  

A calculator on the other hand has certain advantages also.  It is usually
easier to enter numbers on a calculator keyboard, and the smaller size
is usually an advantage.  On the other hand, the calculator keyboard can
also be a disadvantage.  I would much prefer a typewriter keyboard for 
entering units or for entering formulas.  The screens on calculators also
tend to be smaller then laptops.  

Don't get me wrong, I still like calculators for balancing my checkbook,
and for doing base conversions, but I don't need the power of a 41 or
48sx to do either of those functions.  (I very rarely do polar to 
rectangular conversions when balancing my check book, and I bought a
Casio to do base conversions because it takes less keystrokes.)  As for
programming, when I prefer to use a language that I can understand rather
the RPL, so it is easier to do on a laptop.)  During my collage years, we
didn't have cheap computers so calculators like the HP-41 was a God-sent,
but in todays market, wouldn't almost be better to have a laptop?
As for taking tests, if you allow an HP48sx, you almost have to allow the
use of a laptop.  Both tend to have similar capabilities.

So, what do people really use these things for?

Andrew
zimmer@calvin.stanford.edu