HP 9820A

The HP 9820A used an algebraic high-level language and alphanumeric display rather than the 9810A’s calculator-style RPN interface. Its printer and magnetic-card reader were built into the desktop case.

It broadened the 9800 family for users who preferred conventional algebraic programming.

Notable Features

• The alphanumeric display supported symbolic program entry.
• Built-in magnetic-card and printing hardware made the system self-contained.

Historical Significance

• It broadened the 9800 family for users who preferred conventional algebraic programming.

Collector’s Notes

• Original HP manuals, peripherals and software media are particularly useful because many interfaces and formats were proprietary.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	HP 9820A
Manufacturer	Hewlett-Packard
Launched	Saturday, January 1, 1972
Discontinued	1976
Country	United States
CPU	HP proprietary serial processor
Units Sold
Form Factor	Desktop calculator/computer
Power	Internal mains supply
Networking	None
Operating System	High-level algebraic programming language
Expansion / I/O	ROM modules, printer, plotter and peripheral bus
Keyboard	Integrated algebraic keyboard and printer
Storage	Magnetic cards
Sound	No sound
Colours	Red LED
Graphics	Text output and optional plotter graphics
Display	Single-line alphanumeric LED display
ROM	Resident high-level language firmware
RAM	Expandable working memory
CPU Speed	Proprietary bit-serial architecture