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From: dan@Apple.COM (Dan Allen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: HP-95LX Review: I Just Got One!
Message-ID: <52533@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 7 May 91 03:33:37 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA
Lines: 55

My HP-95LX and 512KB RAM card just arrived this morning from EduCalc,
for a total cost including shipping and tax of about $950.

I like it.

It is not perfect.

Let me elaborate.

The 1-2-3 implementation is excellent.  The Filer is fine, the Memo
application is VERY basic, the Appointment mode has a tragic flaw, and
the Phone book is so-so.  I have not yet tried the communication module.
Oh yes, the calculator is much better than I expected.

As for hardware: the case has a nice feel to it.  I hated the 28 series
machines for their folding case, but this case is 10 times better, and I
am growing to like it.  It feels sturdy.  Part of the reason the new
case is better is that it has its hinges in such a way that it does not
cause the machine to "rock", since the hinge never is on your desk.

The display is very readable, has sufficient contrast that I have not
yet needed to adjust it at all, and the font is nice and legible.

The keyboard, yes, the keyboard.  The keyboard is the worst part.  The
machine is so capable that you want to start touch typing on it, but
there is no way you can touch type on it.  It is just too small.

Is it worth the money after 12 hours of playing with it?  Maybe.  If
analytical analysis and heavy 1-2-3 and calculating are needed, then
YES.  If writing with a text editor is what you do, then probably NOT.

Nevertheless, I plan to do a lot more messing around with it and all
post more after I do so.  I am going to see how Turbo Pascal works on
it...

Oh yes, the tragic flaw of the appointment mode: you cannot set
repeating appointments for every other week, or every other day, or any
non-standard interval.  All repeating appointments must be daily,
weekly, monthly, or yearly, although you can create appointments of the
style First Tuesday of each month.

The HP-75C had a better appointment mode... and a touch-typable
keyboard.  It cost about the same, although it only had 24 KB of RAM.
Its Visi-Calc / Basic integration remind me of the excellent integration
found in the 95's Calculator/123 integration, or rather, visa-versa.

The Calculator is very similar to the 19B in capability, with function
plotting, solver, conversions, TVM, and a good range of built-in math
functions.  I turned mine to RPN mode immediately and will probably
never change it back.  Long live RPN!

Well, more in a few days... it is a neat little machine.

Dan Allen
Apple Computer