HEWLETT PACKARD HP-19B II

Description

Brand: HEWLETT PACKARD
Model: HP 19B II "BUSINESS CONSULTANT II"
Type: Scientific/financial calculator
Picture: HP 19B II
Batteries: Type N x 3
Lifetime: Introduced: 1990
Terminated: 2002
Notes: This is another one in a series of financial calculators I’ll never fully understand. All these financial calculations are way beyond my league.

It is not only a financial calculator, a time keeper, it can keep alarms and do time calculations. It can also be used as a kind of address book.

Next to being a financial calculator this is also, quite hidden, a scientific calculator. The scientific functions are hidden under the "MATH" menu and include logarithms and exponentials, as well as trigonometric functions.

The top part of the left keyboard shows a helpful label. Models sold in the USA have some helpful usage information. Models shipped outside of the USA, such as this one, only show how to switch to another language. Quite helpful because this calculator is quite verbose.

According to this Wikipedia page (link valid 2024-04-16) there are some durability issues with this model. The flex cable between the two keyboards tends to break due to bending and the battery door due to pressure from the batteries. The one in my collection luckily still looks pristine as if never used.

But please don’t ask me how this one works. Ask your accountant :-)

The manual can be downloaded directly from HP’s site, here (link valid 2024-04-16).

Peripherals

This calculator can communicate with the HP 82240 Infrared Printer using its IR output port.