[ Retro Scan of the Week ] HP’s First Handheld Computer
January 19th, 2015 by Benj Edwards
It’s a lot like an HP-11C, but freakin’ huge
Plenty of companies experimented with pocket and handheld computers in the early 1980s. Among them we must count HP, which introduced its HP-75C in 1982.
I peronally own an HP-75D (the successor model of this machine) that allows use of a bar code wand. I bought it on eBay around 2000, messed around with it a few times, and I think it’s been sitting in a box or a closet since. I couldn’t get into it, for some reason, like I could my TRS-80 Pocket Computer. Perhaps it’s time to revisit the 75D and try again — if it still works.
Still, I have a soft spot for the HP-75 series because it features similar industrial design as my beloved HP-11C calculator, which I’ve been using since middle school. RPN for the win!
Discussion Topic of the Week: Are you a fan of HP calculators? Which model is your favorite?
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See Also: BASIC in your Pocket (RSOTW, 2009)
See Also: Asimov’s Pocket Computer (RSOTW, 2011)
See Also: Sharp Pocket Computer (RSOTW, 2013)
See Also: Quasar Pocket Computer RSOTW, 2014)
January 21st, 2015 at 11:17 am
I have a new-model 15C, which I think has to be my favourite, even though the 16C is something special. I also have one of Chris Chung’s NP-25, which is a three-in-one, very impressive.
January 22nd, 2015 at 12:20 am
When I think of HP handheld pc’s, the Jornada series comes to mind.
January 22nd, 2015 at 3:12 pm
RPN (and RPL) Forever!
I bought an HP-48G for college in 1993. It’s been through hell, including being stolen from my car and spending one winter outside in the rain, but it still has a place on desk today. In terms of hardware and software quality, it’s one of the finest mobile devices ever made.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:35 pm
I bought an HP12c in the early 90s and an HP19b in the mid 90s.
To be honest I didn’t like them that much because it was kinda complicated to input data in a certain order and if you made a small mistake you had to input data all over again. Also the keys felt somewhat hard to press and uncomfortable to my fingers, I remember ending with sore fingers after long sessions.
I went back to use my trusty Casio Calculator, nothing fancy just a basic model combined with Lotus 123 and Excel and never looked back. So that was my experience with the Hp calcs, I have to give them credit that they looked nice and well built.