HP 35S Scientific Calculator - F2215AA#ABA
100 Functions - 2 Line(s) - 14 Character(s) - LCD - Battery Powered

I have been using this calculator for about 6 months now, and have been very happy with it. A number of my co-workers have also purchased the calculator, and are equally pleased. It has apparently been many years since HP has turned out a good RPN based scientific calculator. All the negative reviews, and the funny key layout of the 33s kept me away from that one. I struggled on with my 49s (no good either, replaced a crushed 48GX - phenomenal) for the last 5 or so years waiting for a suitable scientific RPN calculator to hit the shelves. But now it is time to take the PE exam, and I desperately needed to find an approved RPN calculator - this was it (or so I hoped it would be approved in time to take the exam Spring 2008, which it has). My only dissatisfaction comes from the fact that all the conveniences I had with the graphing calculators are gone (matrix solver, interpolation, etc...). Also, it doesn't seem to catch everything I type sometimes, but I attribute that to user error, and trying to work too fast. I don't notice a problem if I am being careful with my entry, so I do not think it is a problem with the calculator. It is also a lint magnet.
 
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First, it is a RPN (reverse Polish notation) entry calculator; for those who use this method, it is much preferred. Then, the keys feel good to press when the calculator is used, and the keyboard is a more traditional rectilinear layout with a more traditional black. The direction of the arrows of the shift keys may be a bit confusing, but it seems like a very minor issue to me. It is also a scientific programmable, which makes it quite useful for scientific, engineering, surveying, and other areas requiring at least some calculating. The programming memory is expansive enough for most purposes for which one would use something that has the form factor of a handheld calculator over a computer... or even a graphing calculator. In fact, the form factor is to me quite good in that it is comfortable enough to hold in hand to use or slip in a shirt pocket. And yes, it fits, if not in the case. The case seems to afford enough protection for normal daily use and allows it to be used as a handheld and not on a desktop while still in it. It is a hard zippered case. And this time, the programming structure allows a way around the restriction of having only twenty-six labels for routines or separate programs: the GO TO (GTO) instruction allows it to GO TO a line number, and not just a label, so labels can be conserved. It preserves the constants library and the user equation library of the HP-33S, which cosmetics aside (which again to me was a very minor issue) was to me a pretty good programmable scientific calculator. My only real beef with it is that it seems to be a bit slower than the HP-33S, its predecessor. In all, it is for me a pleasure to have and use.
 
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This is the first RPN calculator from HP since the 42S that I've been excited about. The keys are placed and sized correctly. The functionality is perfect for my everyday use. Tactile feedback is like the days of old for HP. The color scheme is easy to read. I really like this calculator. Nice job, HP!!!
 
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This new hp 35s is a real gem. It is much like the hp scientific calculators from their very best years before the Corvalis calculator team was completely abandoned by hp (It was produced as a celebration of the 35 years that have passed since the development of the original hp 35 that started the pocket calculator business). It is well designed with a comfortable keyboard and a very nice screen with very good contrast controls. It also has a very good set of self tests in order to verify that the unit is always working properly. It was designed as a replacement for the hp 33s from 2003 which was a total flop in my book. The new unit has 800+ memories and is very fast (with the same math processor as the 33s however) and comes with a fine case too. It also has very good support for complex number applications and also has the now traditional hp-solve numerical capability as well as many other fine features. Keep up the newest good work-hp!
 
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I never thought anything could top my old 11c but this sure comes close. Many things are actually simpler and easier! What? My favorite improvement is that you can use the calculator while it is still in the case. This may not sound like much but I really like it. It keeps you from misplacing the case (something I do all the time) and it protects the back of the calculator from scratches. I have a near mint 12c (1987) and the only blemish is a small scratch on the back. The display is almost as good as the 11c and a vast improvement over the 33s. You can now see the decimal point without a magnifying class. The same is true for the keyboard layout. Clean and neat just like the 11c and WAY better the that confused mess that is the 33s. I never thought I would say this but the programming is better than the 11c. SHOCK! The best thing is the way the program lines are displayed. It shows the line and the program that it is associated with instead of just the line number, 001 in the 11c. The 35s shows A001 indicating that this line is associated with program A. I like it! Another program improvement is the way the function is displayed. It shows what the functions is, like X for multiplication instead of the key location 20 (line 2, key 10) as in the 11c. This a big help in debugging a program. Almost as useful is the up and down caret key to move through a program. The only really dysfunctional item is the orientation of the yellow and blue arrow keys. They refer to the keyboard layout of the 33s. Doh! They should be: LEFT to RIGHT up for the yellow key and left to right DOWN! for the blue key. Maybe they will fix this on latter production runs and I will have a rarity. Ya, right. All in all I really like this machine. It may finally be time to retire the 11c and 15c to the display case. Looks like they have been replaced.
 
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