The HP 20b Business Consultant (F2219A, codenamed "Little Euro") is a financial calculator published in 2008 by

Hewlett-Packard The Hewlett-Packard Company, commonly shortened to Hewlett-Packard ( ) or HP, was an American multinational information technology company headquartered in Palo Alto, California. HP developed and provided a wide variety of hardware components ...

. Its function is similar to HP 10bII and includes scientific and statistical functions.

Hardware specification

The HP 20b uses a 2 lines display with the first line an 8 character scrolling display and 11 indicators and the second line for 12+3 digit display. It also uses 2 CR2032 batteries, an

Atmel Atmel Corporation was a creator and manufacturer of semiconductors before being subsumed by Microchip Technology in 2016. Atmel was founded in 1984. The company focused on embedded systems built around microcontrollers. Its products included micr ...

AT91SAM7L128 30 MHz processor. The processor's serial interface is accessible from under the battery cover to allow the

firmware In computing, firmware is a specific class of computer software that provides the low-level control for a device's specific hardware. Firmware, such as the BIOS of a personal computer, may contain basic functions of a device, and may provide h ...

to be updated using a special cable from HP.

Functions

The HP 20b contains functions similar to the HP 10bII, with financial functions including: TVM, IRR, NPV, NUS ("Net Uniform Series"), amortization, depreciation, bonds, yield and accrued interest, interest conversion, list-based cashflow analysis, cashflows, break-even analysis. Math/Statistics functions include: list-base, 1 and 2 variable statistics, mean, standard deviation, population deviation, standard error, forecasting, correlations and covariance, +, -, ×, ÷, %, 1/x, +/-, scientific notation, n!, combinations, permutations, rounding, random numbers, LOG, LN, 10×, PL, square root, trigonometry, probability. For input modes, it supports RPN,

Chain A chain is a serial assembly of connected pieces, called links, typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved in compression but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A c ...

and Algebraic input. It also included several added features include: date calculation, display format and language preferences, memory functions, editing, scroll keys.

Criticism

Many users claim that they dislike the model because it lacks the feedback when pressing the keys, and the menus make things complicated.

Examination approval

The HP 20b is approved by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority and can be used in Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination of 2009 or later. The HP 20b is approved by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) and can be used for the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification exam.

Repurposing

Along with the

HP 30b The HP 30b (NW238AA, variously codenamed "Big Euro", "Mid Euro" and "Fox") is a programmable financial calculator from HP which was released on 7 January 2010. The HP 30b is an advanced version of the HP's prior model HP 20b. F ...

, the HP 20b calculator is particularly conducive to repurposing, since both the hardware and software are made public by HP. Several projects have been started around reusing this calculator for other purposes. The most advanced is the

WP 34S The HP 30b (NW238AA, variously codenamed "Big Euro", "Mid Euro" and "Fox") is a programmable financial calculator from HP which was released on 7 January 2010. The HP 30b is an advanced version of the HP's prior model HP 20b. F ...

, a programmable scientific calculator that combines the functionality of the

HP-42S The HP-42S RPN Scientific is a programmable RPN Scientific hand held calculator introduced by Hewlett Packard in 1988. It has advanced functions suitable for applications in mathematics, linear algebra, statistical analysis, computer science and ...

and

HP-16C The HP-16C Computer Scientist is a programmable pocket calculator that was produced by Hewlett-Packard between 1982 and 1989. It was specifically designed for use by computer programmers, to assist in debugging. It is a member of the HP Voyager ...

and includes many other novel features and functions. A firmware branch with a complex number lock mode is called

WP 34C The HP 30b (NW238AA, variously codenamed "Big Euro", "Mid Euro" and "Fox") is a programmable financial calculator from HP which was released on 7 January 2010. The HP 30b is an advanced version of the HP's prior model HP 20b. F ...

. The

WP 31S The HP 30b (NW238AA, variously codenamed "Big Euro", "Mid Euro" and "Fox") is a programmable financial calculator from HP which was released on 7 January 2010. The HP 30b is an advanced version of the HP's prior model HP 20b. F ...

is a stripped-down non-programmable version of the WP 34S, designed to be easier to use.

References

External links

Product specification
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