Xref: utzoo comp.sys.hp:9195 comp.sys.handhelds:8264
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!apple!dan
From: dan@Apple.COM (Dan Allen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp,comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: HP86B information sought
Keywords: HP86B
Message-ID: <53593@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 3 Jun 91 20:14:19 GMT
References: <1991Jun1.033404.2260@sequent.com>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA
Lines: 28

@sequent.com (Robert Kelley) writes:

>I just acquired 2 of these devices for $15,
>one of them works.  From what I can determine,
>they speak Basic and seem to have about 128K ram.

>Specific questions:

>	Anything noteworthy about the BASIC?
>	Processor?
>	Machine language escape mechanism?
>	What does the DIP switch do?
>	What are the video specifications?
>	(why does every monitor I've tried
>	 seem to overscan so much?  Can I
>	 adjust for this somehow?)

I recall that the HP-86 had a BASIC language quite similar to the
HP-75C, which was a fairly nice BASIC from a numerics point of view.
There was an Advanced Programming ROM that extended the BASIC with
matrix manipulation stuff, etc.

I never had one, but I had a friend who had one--sorry I don't know
anything about the various hardware questions you raise above...


>Robert Kelley
>rjk@sequent.com