# SwissMicros DM42n

13 Hacker News commenters recommended SwissMicros DM42n and 1 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 6 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** People recommend it as a stack-based RPN calculator that feels good to use and is built to last. The most common caveat is small keys.

## Why people recommend it

- Feels good to use (2 comments): "It's one of those tools that just feels good to use." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47980604)) "It gives me a good feeling every time I use it." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46844785))
- Built to last, sturdy build (2 comments): "Beautiful devices though. Built to last forever." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45890812)) "built like absolute tanks!" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48379448))
- Beautiful design (2 comments): "Beautiful devices though. Built to last forever." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45890812)) "Wow these are beautiful machines" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47486353))
- Nostalgic 42S-style keyboard feel (2 comments): "for similar keyboard feel and nostalgia factor" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48379419)) "they’re a modern reimplementation of the 42S" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48375672))

## What people warn about

- Small keys and poor keyboard (2 comments): "My DM42n has a decent keyboard. Main criticism compared to my HP48G is that the keys are on the small side." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45898297)) "Terrible keyboards though." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45891761))
- TI-89 preferred for straightforwardness (1 comments): "will take a TI-89 over a Swiss Micros (mind you I own several) almost any day as it is more straightforward" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45893258))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [HP 15C](https://hackerapproved.com/p/hp-15c-calculator.md): 24 recommend
- [Casio S100X Japanese Lacquer Edition](https://hackerapproved.com/p/casio-s100x-japanese-lacquer-edition.md): 16 recommend
- [Casio calculator](https://hackerapproved.com/p/casio-calculator.md): 14 recommend
- [SwissMicros R47 RPN calculator](https://hackerapproved.com/p/r47-rpn-calculator.md): 11 recommend
- [HP 42S calculator](https://hackerapproved.com/p/hp-42s-calculator.md): 8 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=SwissMicros+DM42n+calculator&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Official site](https://www.swissmicros.com/en)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "SwissMicros DM42n", https://hackerapproved.com/p/swissmicros-dm42n/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).