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Calculator blog


Musings and comments about our common interest

 

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HP Prime (G8X92AA) available again

We have discovered that the HP Prime (G8X92AA version) was not available for ordering, while we have a healthy stock in our shop. We don’t even know if that’s been the case for several days - but it is now back on line.

The same has happened to a couple of other products (for example, the bundle with the SmartStream 410 data logger was missing too. I hope no one was deterred from their purchase by this!

Remember that the beauty of the G8X92AA vs the older NW280AA is that the first one works seamlessly with the SmartStream 410 data logger and all Fourier probes; while the older version cannot. For the rest of standalone applications, there is no difference. We make sure that your unit is a G8X92AA.

Please remember to update yours with the new firmware (version 6975, available since 16.12.2014). You can find it in the HP sites - please revert to previous blog issues to see download sites and procedure.

The stability is greatly improved, and most of the previous bugs and inconsistent behavior have disappeared. I say “most” instead of “all” for the sake of not making an absolute statement, but there have been no problems whatsoever since I made the last update.

There are other items that we all expect in the new releases, but not so much centered in solving bugs, as to in extending capabilities.

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Differences between Prime revision A and C

 

Which are the main differences between HP Prime revision A (product code NW280AA) and revision C (code G8X92AA)?

While there may be other undetected issues, the main differences are related to the USB input-output possibilities. By looking at different websites around the web (mainly the French tiplanet.org and the American hpmuseum.org), these are:

  • The former version does not allow two HP Prime to communicate.
  • The former version cannot use the wireless dongle (and therefore cannot be controlled by the professor in a class environment, using the Windows software that was intended to do that.
  • The former version did not work well with the SmartStream 410 (even loaded with the latest firmware).

While the second requirement is not affecting me personally, it can affect the Prime as a school working tool. This is one of the things that make the Prime preferable to an iPad for a classroom.

prime10Again, and while my children have both a Prime, I don’t think they’ll try communicate with each other with them.

There may be other differences but we're not aware of them - yet.

However, the third limitation is a more incapacitating one. The SmartStream 410, aided by the several Fourier Probes, can really turn a child into a scientist. It can successfully substitute a tester, thermometer, barometer, mini-oscilloscope, all in a single box - and can make them think independently and design their own experiments.

I don’t think I would buy a new Prime if I had revision A; while I am sure I would do my utmost to get revision c (code G8X92AA) - more so when they are exactly the same price. The main problem here is that the sellers can’t tell one from the other reliably!

And there is nothing in the calculator body that can tell them apart!

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