website/content/museum/hewlett-packard-hp-65.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Hewlett Packard HP-65	Computers	Professional Computer	U.S.A.	1974	HP CPU	name image company company_name specs tabs forum_thread links related oc_id source HP-65 /media/museum/photos/hp_65_system_s1.jpg /companies/hewlett-packard Hewlett Packard label value NAME HP-65 label value MANUFACTURER Hewlett Packard label value TYPE Professional Computer label value ORIGIN U.S.A. label value YEAR 1974 label value END OF PRODUCTION 1977 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) label value KEYBOARD 35 multi-function keys label value CPU HP CPU (several chips) label value SPEED Unknown label value RAM 100 steps, 9 registers label value ROM Unknown label value TEXT MODES 1 line, 10+2 chars LED display label value SIZE / WEIGHT 8.15 (W) x 15.25 (L) x 3.55 (H) cm label value BUILT IN MEDIA Built-in magnetic card reader/writer label value POWER SUPPLY Battery pack containing 3x AA rechargeable cells label value PRICE $795 links 1093 title url text HP Museum http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp65.htm Detailed information about the HP-65 /museum/hewlett-packard-hp-200lx 1123 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230604005733/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1123 2023-06-04

The HP-65 is arguably the most elegant and classic pocket calculator ever built.

Boasting many firsts, including being the first fully programmable hand-held calculator with built-in magnetic card reader, it was used for course corrections on Apollo, and was introduced as "The Personal Computer" when keypunch machines were still the most common input device for mainframes.

While pricey, nearly $800 back in 1974, its quality and innovations garnered many enthusiasts, spawning clubs like the HP-65 Users Club and triggering medical recoveries (but that's another story!).

Thanks to Mike Dutch - Picture from Teclas.org

Gary Clouse reports:
The early HP calculators were legendary for their durability. there were stories of them surviving 40 ft drops onto concrete, exposure to the weather for several months, and being run over by heavy eauipment on construction sites. The circuit board and battery contacts were gold-plated to prevent corrosion. There was a joke among engineering students that if there was a nuclear war, the survivors would be HP calculators and cockroaches.

We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.