Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!apple!dan
From: dan@Apple.COM (Dan Allen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: HP-48SX: first impressions
Message-ID: <39405@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 12 Mar 90 03:21:34 GMT
References: <6750@columbia.edu> <1157@kunivv1.sci.kun.nl>
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA
Lines: 41

In article <1157@kunivv1.sci.kun.nl> ge@kunivv1.sci.kun.nl (Ge' Weijers) writes:
>
>>* The display contrast is poor. One should be allowed to change both
>>the intensity and the contrast, not some combined function thereof.
>>It's not very visible in subdued lighting, but I guess I'll get used
>>to it. 

Are we talking about the same calculator?  The 48 contrast is not as
good as say, the HP-10B, but it is significantly better than an HP-42S
or even a 28S.

>
>So the combination of the ON key and one of the add/subtract keys is gone?

NO.  The contrast is adjustable with the ON and plus or minus keys as
always.

>
>>* It feels too flimsy. I can flex the case by about four degrees
>>without fear of cracking it. There is no way I would throw it accross
>>the room (the way people threw around 25's) and not care if it hits a
>>brick wall at 60mph!

On the contrary, it feels very sturdy.  I would throw it across the room
if needed.  I have dropped it once or twice already (by accident) and
have not had any problems.  It is MUCH more sturdy than a 28S.

>>* There is virtually no documentation on the serial port hardware. I'd

A serial interface is a serial interface.  What's to document?  Just
send bytes...

For example, I was using the debugger to dump memory to the serial port
at 9600 baud.  I had no idea what I was doing, but all I did was run
MacTerminal at 9600 baud and voila, I had the ROM image on my Mac as a
text file...

Now to get a disassembler running...

Dan Allen
Apple Computer