Brand: | HEWLETT PACKARD |
Model: | HP 41CV |
Type: | Programmable scientific calculator |
Pictures: |
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Batteries: | Type N x 3 |
Lifetime: |
Introduced: 1980 Terminated: 1990 |
Notes: |
The HP 41 series must be the top-of-the-bill calculator design of all time.
It's the successor to the HP 67. Even today this calculator is still
totally up-to-date and usable. It's my all-time favourite model of
calculators. A thing of beauty, as well as on the outside as on the inside.
![]() The HP 41C (which was introduced in 1979) was probably the first alphanumeric handheld calculator ever. It was far before dot-matrix LCD's existed, and it uses a clever display using 14 segments. The HP 41CV is basically the same as the HP-41C but with 5 times the memory (319 registers, almost 2 kB). I suspect the V in HP 41CV is there to indicate that number 5. Programming this calculator is more difficult than necessary however (at least compared to more modern programmable calculators, but at the time the programming of the HP 41 was a huge step forward). It's therefore not my favourite of programmable calculators (that is the CASIO fx-602p if you want to know). The HP 41 series calculators have had a very long lifetime. The range of peripherals is also amazing. For more information on this beauty please refer to the better sources, like The Museum of HP Calculators (link valid 2022-12-30). |
The 41CV has four easily accessible extension slots which can be used for ROM modules, a clock module, a HP-IL connection, card reader, printer, even an HP 67 compatible card reader which translates HP 67 programs to HP 41 programs on the fly. The only peripherals I own myself are the HP 82143A Peripheral Printer and the 82104A Card Reader.
©2023 Ernst Mulder