HP 48
 | |
| Introduced | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | HP 28S and HP 41C |
| Successor | HP 48GX |
| CPU | |
| Processor | Clarke (2MHz Saturn) |
| Programming | |
| Other | |
| Successor | HP 48G |
|---|---|
| CPU | |
| Processor | Clarke (2MHz Saturn) |
| Programming | |
| Other | |
The HP 48 series is five RPL graphing calculators first introduced in 1990.
Overview
All models are based on the Saturn processor. The HP 48 has RS-232-compatible serial and bidirectional infrared, and the expandable ("X") models have two slots for a ROM or RAM expansion card. The screen is a traditional 131x64 twisted nematic LCD.
User RAM is 32 KB in the S, SX, and G models and 128 KB in the GX and G+ models.
HP 48SX
| Predecessor | HP 48SX |
|---|---|
| Successor | HP 48G+ |
| CPU | |
| Processor | Yorke (4MHz Saturn) |
| Programming | |
| Other | |
The HP 48SX was the first model of the series, released in 1990. It expands on the features of the HP 28S, expanding upon the RPL system. It adds several new object types, a new powerful unit conversion system, a graphical equation editor (the first of its kind on a calculator) and matrix editor, more graphing options, serial and IR communications, and a clock and alarm system. The model number comes from a combination of the HP 41 and the HP 28, as it bridges the best features of both systems.
It used a 2 MHz Saturn processor known as Clarke, and was shipped with 256 KB of ROM and 32 KB of RAM. The "X" which stood for "expandable" refers to the two memory slots behind the IR cover which allowed additional ROM or RAM cards to be inserted. This early model only supports up to 128KB per card of additional RAM (cards of larger capacity were made later), which can be merged with internal memory or used as backup for calculator data.
HP 48S
| Predecessor | HP 48S |
|---|---|
| Successor | HP 48G+ |
| CPU | |
| Processor | Yorke (4MHz Saturn) |
| Programming | |
| Other | |
The HP 48S was introduced in 1991 as a lower-cost alternative to the 48SX. It is identical in every way to the 48SX except that it is missing the two expansion slots of the SX.
HP 48GX
| Predecessor | HP 48G, HP 48GX |
|---|---|
| Successor | HP 49G |
| CPU | |
| Processor | Yorke (4MHz Saturn) |
| Programming | |
| Other | |
The HP 48GX was introduced in 1993 and was designed to address some of the issues with the 48S series. For one, it has 128 KB of RAM built-in for user data. It also uses a 512 KB ROM with many new features, including the Equation Library (which was an expansion card for the 48S series), a new GUI interface, XModem serial transfers, and a new case design.