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The HP 30b Business Professional
Gene Wright
What is it?
The HP 30b is Hewlett Packard’s new mid-range financial calculator. This machine is a very
welcome addition to HP’s financial calculator line. The HP 30b comes with a very small printed manual,
which certainly seems to be the continuing trend. A larger PDF manual is available online as well as 40
learning modules that go into greater detail on how to use the HP 30b. This review will focus on the new
features found on the HP 30b and differences between it and the HP 20b.
Fig. 1 – HP30b introduced in January 2010
Fig. 2 – HP20b introduced in June 2008
Physical differences.
First off, the HP 30b uses rotate and click keys. This is a welcome improvement
over the HP 20b keys, which many found to be inadequate. While the author never had any real problems
with the HP 20b keys, it certainly is nice to have a good click when pressing a key. Secondly, the HP 30b
comes with a metallic-looking faceplate compared to the shiny black faceplate on the HP 20b. Some of
the pictures do not quite do the real color justice – the real calculator color is more bronze/copper than
pure silver as the picture would suggest. The back of the HP 30b is the same black plastic as on the HP
20b. The HP 30b comes with a slip case to protect it.
