HP 10B Financial Calculator

The HP10B business calculator has an algebraic entry system and a logical and intuitive keyboard layout with easy-to-read labels. The LCD display screen features up to 12 characters on one line of text. Small and sturdy, this calculator is easy to slip into your backpack or briefcase and bring to class or your workplace. Hewlett-Packard offers a one-year warranty on the HP10B. --Dana Van Nest

The HP 10B is a directly positioned competitor to the TI-BA-II+, but HP's entry is superior. The keys feel more solid, the machine itself "seems" better made. Having worn out more than one of each, my experience has been that the HP has more staying power. And, the TI-BA-II+ often requires more keystrokes to accomplish the same tasks (i.e., NPV calculations). ...

The HP 10B has a well written manual, including examples on using the function. HP has the manual available on-line on their website for the inevitable time that the user needs it and has lost the original.

While there are cheaper financial calculators, it seems that this particular level is the minimum I would recommend to professionals or students. Less expensive versions, while saving a few dollars, miss important features. As a general rule of thumb, if the calculator can perform the "IRR" function, as this can, it will be able to handle pretty much any calculation into which the finance student, professonal, or banker will run. Lesser machines do not have this function.

Ironically, even larger fancier calculators, such as the venerable HP-12C, are in my estimation inferior as well. The 12C uses RPN logic which, while saving even more keystrokes, is simply foreign to most students. More importantly, some functions, such as the Time Value of Money functions, on the 12C require interpretation. On the 12C, for example, solving for the number of periods in an annuity, the value gets rounded UP to the next integer.

Strongly recommended as the best value in inexpensive financial calculators.


This calculator feels good to use.   July 9, 2000
 8 out of 23 found this review helpful

I had bought a cheap TI calculator in a grocery store, and was very unhappy with the tactile feedback of button pushing. I always had to check the display to see if the numbers that were being input were actually registering correctly. This HP-10B not only has a good display, but it is also comfortable to hold, and it feels good when you use it. That's all I was looking for. I don't actually use any of the financial functions.


Very Capable for Business or Personal Use   May 1, 2000
 35 out of 37 found this review helpful

I bought this calculator as required equipment for my CFP program. It is far more capable than the old TI BA-II I had used for years. I spent about an hour going through the well written manual and doing practice problems to familiarize myself with the calculator's logic. You can do all kinds of cash flow analyses with it that are not possible on the TI. I use the Time Value of Money calculations frequently, and you can even change the payments and rate of return in specific periods. The only thing it won't do is print out the information!

I would recommend it for any financial professional or a serious do-it-yourself financial planner.


Great Value   December 12, 1999
 57 out of 59 found this review helpful

I have owned all of Hewlett Packard's financial calculators. The HP-10B has several features that make it the calculator I like to use. It has a 1 line BOLD display, which makes it very easy to read. This feature is extremely important to me, as my eyes aren't as good as they once were. It has all of the standard financial functions, such as uneven cash flow analysis and TVM (time value of money). The only thing I miss on the 10B is RPN. It would be nice if that were an option, along with a built in cover, like the HP-19B. I solved the cover problem with an Astech plastic case, which, unfortunately, is no longer available. If your vision is less than perfect and you don't want to spend alot of money for a financial calculator, you will be very pleased with the 10B. Even if you have perfect vision, you won't go wrong with this calculator.


Great Value in a Mid Range Capability Business Calculator   November 5, 1999
 48 out of 50 found this review helpful

This is a well designed calculator for quick TVM,cashflow and basic business as well as light statistical calculations. This specific model was required for an MBA Finance class I took recently, or I probably would not have purchased, as I already had a TI Business Scientific (now renamed to Business II or something like that.) A few classical basic scientific functions are included as well except for trig. The numerical range of the calculator (E+/-499 power) is impressive and consistant with the HP 20S mid-range scientific. The keyboard is well laid out, and the calculator helps maintain the high quality HP image. At recent prices like Amazon's it is a bargan, and occasionally has a $5 rebate which makes almost a gift. If you need something more powerful, look at the HP-17BII (quite a bit pricier if you don't need the power) or even higher end business models HP makes in the clamshell.