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Offers on HP Prime old models elsewhere

Now you may have seen that there are some sales actions regarding the A revision of the HP Prime calculator (product code NW280AA). These have excellent prices, and if you don’t consider using any of the extended capabilities of the machine (namely, the StreamSmart 410 or the wireless dongles for class communication with the professor), I think it is a good opportunity that should not be missed. Fortunately or unfortunately, We have finished all our stocks of that model, and we’re only left with the newer, C-revision G8X92AA model. This is the only one that fulfills the initial prime promises of wireless and connectivity.

By the way, be aware that there are two different models of StreamSmart 410, one of them being more recent than the other (with respective model numbers NW241AA and NW278AA). As to the differences between both models, it may be as small as being the same product produced in two different companies, to a complete redesign with new features - and everything in between. I really have no data to recommend you to choose the newer over the older model, or the other way around. I will investigate, though.

(There was also another StreamSmart model, the 400. I have never had one of them so no comment)

HP’s information on the StreamSmart equipment is quite scarce, to say the least. There is not a clear statement about which equipment can work with each model. I know, because I have tested it, that they work with both the hp50g and the HP Prime, and have seen pictures of it working with the 40gs. I am not 100% sure it works with the 39gs or the 39gII - but I promise to give an answer as soon as I get it myself.

The only source of probes to be connected to the StreamSmart are from Fourier. There is an extensive catalog of probes. Don’t think of using your StreamSmart as a multimeter - it will work, but there are better specialized tools for that, both in convenience and accuracy. Even 30 years ago, you could do better with the HP3468A and the HP41c - professional quality. Also sampling frequency is far too low - it can only go up to 5khz! you can get a USB oscilloscope for about the same money.

But you have an enormous number of other different probes that can be used - most of them to organize experiments for your students: temperature, sound, pressure, vibration - there it is a tool without peer. And then you can analyze the data with the tools in the HP Prime - which include also FFT tools and advanced statistics. I can’t think of any other system that can match the HP Prime - SmartStream pairing.

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