Home > Consumer Reviews > HP Connectivity Kit for HP Calculators 48G, 48G+, 48GX, and 49G

This is a wonderful accessory to your 49g, and I have benefitted immensely from the cable. But, I purchased the cable by itself... It goes without saying that the large breadth of additional programs, and the ability to contiuously update the ROM are features that you almost can't live without, but there is no sense in living without some of your hard earned cash. The cable can be purchased stand-alone from several on-line vendors. ...I purchased anadditional USB port adapter for this cable. I rate the product itself very, very highly, but I rate the price for the unneccessary software you are being charged for as low as possible. Good Luck!!!

This item is absolutely necessary, specially if you own an HP 49g (for updating the OS) you will also need it to take advantage of all the software avaliable for HP calculators on the internet. Also the updates for the connectivity software are free.

Outstanding features, but there are several negatives!

I am a long-time HP loyalist, having used HP calculators for the past 25+ years. I have used a 48SX for the last 10 years, and recently decided to acquire a 49G to aid me in some college level math classes (algebra & calculus).

I find that the 49G has a wealth of advanced features including a greatly improved equation writer, and the CAS system is very, very nice also. If you want a feature-rich calculator, look no further, but there are three characteristics that I consider negative:

1. The manuals are possibly the worst I have yet seen - they lack a great deal of information. Even with the Advanced User Guide, there should be many more examples.

2. The keys are quite different than any previous model HP that I have ever worked with (I have owned six HP's so far, not including the 49G), and I believe that they are definitely a step backward. I find that I have to press harder, and sometimes even twice to get the function / number entered. The keys feel cheaper to me than any previous model; they appear to be molded rubber instead of plastic. I have never had a key on any of my previous HP calculators wear off, even after extended use, but I have seen a photo of a 49G owned by a user where the label had worn off. I consider this a serious issue that I hope HP will correct in future calculators.

3. The colors of the left and right-shifted functions on the 49G are red and blue, and is tough to see in some ordinary lighting situations against the brushed light-blue background of the faceplate. Although the 49G color pattern is cool and modern looking, the color pattern of the 48SX or 48GX series are much easier to see. I would far prefer the color patterns on the older models for ease of visibility over the new color pattern any day.

In closing, the new functionality is very impressive, but I believe that HP made three serious blunders on this calculator series. I hope that the development team working on the next generation calculator from HP will learn a lesson that newer is not always better, and that you should change a characteristic only if it is an improvement.

The connectivity kit alows you to use your calculators in as many ways as you wish! The great number of software just waits on-line to download it. There is a lot of educational sowftware as well as games and other interesting things. Don't miss the opportunity!

I purchased an HP 49G a few weeks ago and and a connectivity kit and I am fascinated with all the avaliable software on the internet. With out this calbe you are taking advantage of just 15% of the calculator's capabilities with the cable you will be using a 100 percent of the calculator.