WHY I PURCHASE & OWN THIS PRODUCT? (+0.5 star)
I have purchased the HP30b Professional Business Calculator in Singapore to add to my small but growing collection of HP calculators in early September 2010. Admittedly, there is some compulsion in me to own one as a new toy because I have long been a HP calculator junkie.
VALUE vs.COST OF OWNERSHIP (-0.5 star)
HP sells this online for US$49.95(S$70) but it is now available at a higher price tag in Singapore retail shops. My HP30b had cost me S$90(US$65),tax inclusive.
FIRST IMPRESSION (+0.5 star)
At a glance, the metallic silver exterior of the HP30b and button layout resembles the HP17bII+ (current silver version) However, A closer look reveals its HP20b parentage. Notably, the 2-line display of the HP30b appears clearer, larger and more contrasy than the HP20b.
PRODUCT HANDLING - THE TOUCH FACTOR (+0 star)
Overall, the HP30b casing and tactile buttons feels better than HP20b but don't expect the build quality to be near HP12c and HP17bII+ series. Build quality and external material used feels and appears to be the standard "Made In China" consumer fare,it is still good but nothing fantastic.
LITTLE EXTRA(S) THAT COMES WITH THE BOX (+0 star)
The notable increment is the inclusion of a slip case, a nice bit more than my HP20b purchased 2 years ago. Packaging is minimalistic and environmentally friendly.
POWER FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY (+2.0 stars)
Here is where the real juice is. The HP30b, priced as a mid-range model from HP simply has no current rival to match its power-packed "professional" features.
Feature packed and programmable (user customizeable), the HP30b is a great upgrade for HP20b,HP10b and HP17b series users. There are many firsts for the HP30b, most impressively, the new industry first preprogrammed built-in function of Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (OPM) for pricing "European" option - a huge "WOW" killer feature. Personally, I would buy the HP30b solely for this new built in function, this hit the top of my wishlist for the upgrade to the HP20b. This new function activated by "Black S" button and input of variables in the equation is prompted by a user friendly menu.
For HP junkies, the RPN input feature is also retained and there are many more functions which the power users would like to explore. In a nutshell, the rich feature set of the HP30b will match the user's sophistication and satisfy the most demanding user for many years to come.
Feature and capability is the best reason to own a HP30b - the most powerful HP business calculator to date.
USER SUPPORT & ONLINE RESOURCES (+1.0 star)
HP online product support by HP and independent user group is legendary here, period.
USER RECOMMENDATION (+0.5 star)
Simply the best and latest available from HP for professionals, students and the HP calculator fans.
COMMENTARY
In this age of widespread customized business computing, spreadsheet analysis and business ERP with push button customizable dashboard analytics. One may wonder if sophisticated programmable handheld calculators like the HP30b could still has a place in the office.
I would think that the biggest challenge for the HP30b will come from third party software emulation products which can be easily installed as an application in a touchscreen smartphone or a Notebook PC. An emulator eliminates the need to carry an additional piece of portable handheld device and user license would normally be affordable at a faction of the cost of the equivalent HP hardware. Furthermore, bugs in algorithm and upgrades could easily be performed.
IMHO the HP30b is the most balanced and affordable major upgrade in the HP business calculator line for almost two decades since the HP19b,and should satisfy the most demanding group of HP users until the next major HP upgrade of the line.
Through the release of the HP30b, HP has demonstrated that it is the de facto leader of the pack in this product category. It would be interesting to see a competitor respond to the HP30b and how HP could improve on the HP30b within this mature product category in the near future.
CONCLUSION - HP30b GETS 4 STARS
For their effort, Hewett Packard deserves 4 STARS for the HP30b. It would have been a perfect 5 but we should always leave some room for improvement but no room for complacency.
Thank you for reading my review and sharing of thoughts on the HP30b. Hope it is useful to you. HP-30B Business Professional Calculator
I hate that I almost like this more than the legendary 12c. The 12c was out in 1981 and it is still available largely unchanged. However, the interface of the 12c is 1981-ish. Keys which are difficult to comprehend, slow performance on what are now basic calculations, etc.
The 30b does just about all the functions of the 12c but it is faster and a bit more intuitive. Calculations are instantaneous. Statistics are easier because you can easily toggle through the various results available. The keys have a great, tactile feel. It is lighter and cheaper than classic HP calculators but seems to be ready for extended use.
One con of the 30b - the screen. While the 2 line screen is useful, its viewing angle is more critical than the 12c. I can put the 12c on the desk and see the screen well at almost any angle. The 30b gets dimmer as the angle of viewing becomes more acute. Not a huge problem.
HP has a real winner with this model. I'm so glad that HP still caters to the RPN crowd and makes good products. Now reissue the 15c! - Hp Calculator - Hp 20b'
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