HP Prime

HP Prime

HP Prime Graphing Calculator
Type CAS, Graphing, Programmable, Scientific
Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
Introduced October 2013
Latest firmware 6975 (2014-12-03), CAS: 1.1.2-11, OS: SDKV0.44 R.521
Predecessor HP 39gII (HP 50g[1])
Calculator
Entry mode D.A.L. / Algebraic / RPN[2][3]
Display Type 16-bit full-color multi-touch TFT LCD[4]
Display Size 320×240 pixels (3.5″ / 8.9 cm diagonal),
text 10x33 (lines x characters) + menus + header[4]
CPU
Processor 400 MHz Samsung S3C2416XH-40 (ARM926EJ core)
Programming
Programming language(s) HP PPL
Interfaces
Ports Micro USB-AB connector
Other
Weight 228 g (8.04 oz)
Dimensions 18.23 x 8.58 x 1.39 cm (7.13 x 3.38 x 0.550 inches)[4]

The HP Prime is a graphing calculator manufactured by Hewlett-Packard (HP). It contains features common in smartphones, with a touchscreen and apps available to put onto it.[5] There are two sides to the calculator, a numeric home screen and a computer algebra system (CAS) homescreen. The calculator can quickly switch between the two, unlike its competitors, which either have a CAS model or a non-CAS model. The CAS is based on the free and open-source Xcas/Giac 1.1.2 engine by Bernard Parisse, who was also the main developer of the CAS system integrated into the HP 49G and successors. The calculator has a 1500 mAh battery, which is expected to last up to 15 hrs on a single charge. A Prime emulator PC software is available as well.

It has also, for now (2014), taken the title for the world's smallest CAS calculator at 18,23 x 8,58 cm and is also the thinnest CAS calculator available currently, with a thickness of only 1.39 cm.[4]

Exam Mode

The HP Prime has a unique feature called Exam Mode. This enables various features of the calculator (such as CAS functionality, user-created apps, notes, etc.) to be selectively disabled for a specific time, from 15 minutes to 8 hours. This can be done manually within the calculator's menus, or by using a computer with HP's connectivity software.[6] LEDs on the top of the calculator blink to let the instructor see that the calculator is in this mode. Despite this feature, the Prime is still prohibited in many examinations, such as the US's ACT college-entry test.[7] It is however starting to be accepted in other examinations, like those run by the Dutch CvTE,[8] the Swiss IB,[9] or Alberta (Canada)[10] education authorities.

Programming

The HP Prime's non-CAS home-screen supports both algebraic and 128-level RPN entry logic. However, it uses a new operating system unrelated to HP's legacy Saturn and Saturn-emulated systems, which were used on HP's previous RPN/RPL graphing calculators; therefore, it is not compatible with any User RPL or System RPL, or with programming in Saturn or ARMv4T assembly language.

The calculator supports programming in a new, Pascal-like programming language now named HP PPL (for Prime Programming Language, but originally also referred to as HP Basic) that also supports creating apps. This is based on a language introduced on the HP 38G and built on in subsequent models.[11]

Hardware revisions and model variants

The first production model (NW280AA) reports its hardware revision as A. This model does not support wireless connectivity, unit-to-unit USB communication, or data streaming.

The second production model (G8X92AA) reports its hardware revision as C. This model supports features lacking in the first production model, namely wireless connectivity (using the HP Prime Wireless Kit (FOK65AA)), unit-to-unit USB communication (through USB OTG), and data streaming (using the HP StreamSmart 410 (NW278AA) 4-port data streamer).[12] The wireless kit includes a base station connected to a PC and wireless modules to connect to up to 30 HP Prime calculators for use in a classroom.

Images

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://forum.hp-prime.de/discussion/787/hp-50g-end-of-an-era
  2. ↑ "HP Prime Graphing Calculator User Guide". thecalculatorstore.com. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "HP Prime Graphing Calculator User Guide" (PDF). http://www.hp.com''. Hewlett-Packard. pp. 36, 47. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "HP Prime Data Sheet". http://www.hp.com. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  5. ↑ Seifert, Dan (23 April 2013). "HP's new Prime graphing calculator fights smartphone envy with a touchscreen and apps". The Verge. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  6. ↑ "HP Prime Graphing Calculator Exam Mode". hpcc.org. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Can I use a calculator?". actstudent.org. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "Mededeling vooruitblik hulpmiddelen CE 2017 en 2018". Examenblad. 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  9. ↑ "HP Prime approved for International Baccalaureate (IB)". 2015-02-17. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  10. ↑ "Writing Diploma Examinations Using Calculators". Alberta Education. August 2014. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  11. ↑ "Introducing HP Prime". http://www.hpcc.org. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  12. ↑ "Which hardware revision do you have?". Retrieved 23 October 2014.

External links