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HP49G is a reality
gleam writes "HP announced, fairly quietly, a new calculator--the HP49G. It is essentially an upgrade to the 48G, with a higher contrast screen at the same resolution and the same processor but a much better OS. It will also have 512kb ram, 1mb flash system rom, and 1mb user ROM. Check out the full specs. "
I was having the same difficulty. My TI-86 was stolen at the middle of the semester, right before I entered Calc II (in high school, taken over the Iowa Communications Network--a big fiber-optic network that runs across Iowa connecting schools, etc.). Anyway, it was a college class, and I needed a good calculator. I looked over all the available models, information about them, and discussed it on newsgroups and chatrooms (probably much like what you are doing) I finally decided that since I wanted to get into electrical engineering, I'd buy a HP48GX.
It was WAY different than the TI series of calculators. (I think it has something to do with the RPN vs. Algebraic interface)
After I got used to it, I really liked it, and it had a bunch of useful functions that I could do very fast (well, considering the processor was only 4Mhz and couldn't really do stuff FAST), but I could manipulate numbers etc. very easily.
I never really got into the advanced stuff on the HP48GX, but it can do some cool stuff and I've seen some awesome games for it, and they're _grayscale_ so they look a helluva lot better than the TI games.
However, the HP does take a little while to get used to, and wasn't quite as friendly as the TI that I had been used to since 7th grade.
But the HP49 looks like it will take care of ALL of my complaints. It is going to be MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH faster, and will have an Algebraic mode--which will make it easier for some problems.
But really, I did not use my calculator much at all in the class. And I believe the AP BC calc is going to contain most of the same stuff that Calc II did. I did differentiation, integrals, vectors, more vectors, different types of coordinates, three dimintional vectors and matrices... those are what I remember right off-hand.
What I used the calculator for most of the time was just to check my basic math such as multiplication and division, and occasionally square roots and exponents. I did use it for symbolic differentiation and integration and for creating 3d plots (3d plotting was SLOW--30 sec to 1 min for a single frame, but the HP49 will do 6 fps! and allow rotation in realtime).
So really, your calculator will probably not make a HUGE difference in your class.
If you are very comfortable with TIs and are happy with the features (and limitations) then just stick with it and get an 89 or 92.
If you want more capabilities with programming, I/O, and just messing around in general, but are willing to sacrifice speed, get the 48GX.
You may want to get the 49 though. Personally, I will get one before I go to my first college math class next year. It looks like the interface will be cleaned up, and make it easier to use for people not used to it--which would make it easier for you to transition from TI to HP. And the realtime 3d drawings will be great for advanced Calc. I think this HP49 looks (based on what I have heard and seen about it, never used one in person) spectacular, sounds as easy to use as a TI while being faster than a TI, yet keeping the power that HPs are known for.
HP49 would be your best bet, then either a HP48GX or TI-89 (based on what you want to use it for).
~unyun~
I forgot to include these in the submitted story.. but here are 15 (low quality) images of some alpha units in action.
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