Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard Latest firmware 11226 (2016-12-08) | Introduced October 2013 Predecessor HP 39gII (HP 50g) | |
 | ||
Type CAS, Graphing, Programmable, Scientific Entry mode Textbook / Algebraic / Advanced RPN | ||
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. 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 hours on a single charge. Prime emulator PC software is available as well.
Contents
It has also, for now (2016), taken the title for the world's smallest CAS calculator at 18.23×8.58 cm and is also the thinnest CAS calculator available currently, with a thickness of only 1.39 cm.
Exam Mode
The HP Prime has a 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. 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. It is however starting to be accepted in other examinations, like those run by the Dutch CvTE, the Swiss IB, or Alberta (Canada) education authorities.
Programming
The HP Prime's non-CAS home-screen supports textbook, algebraic and 128-level RPN (aka Advanced 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.
Hardware revisions and model variants
The first production model (NW280AA) in 2013 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. It was introduced in May 2014. 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). 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.
The third production model, which was introduced in August 2016, has a revised color scheme with darker blue and orange colors for an improved readability of the keyboard. It still carries the model number G8X92AA and reports a hardware revision of C.
Firmware versions
HP Prime Graphing Calculator app for Android:
HP Prime Graphing Calculator app for iOS:
HP Prime Graphing Calculator app for Windows Store: