Desk & home office · calculator
SwissMicros DM42n
Hacker Approved
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.
Summarized from 21 comments.
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.
- recommend
- 13
- criticize
- 1
- months recommended
- 6 of 13
Why people love it
Feels good to use · 2
It's one of those tools that just feels good to use.
May 2026 · commentIt gives me a good feeling every time I use it.
Feb 2026 · commentBuilt to last, sturdy build · 2
Beautiful devices though. Built to last forever.
Nov 2025 · commentbuilt like absolute tanks!
Jun 2026 · commentBeautiful design · 2
Beautiful devices though. Built to last forever.
Nov 2025 · commentWow these are beautiful machines
Mar 2026 · commentNostalgic 42S-style keyboard feel · 2
for similar keyboard feel and nostalgia factor
Jun 2026 · commentthey’re a modern reimplementation of the 42S
Jun 2026 · comment
What people warn about
Small keys and poor keyboard · 2
My DM42n has a decent keyboard. Main criticism compared to my HP48G is that the keys are on the small side.
Nov 2025 · commentTerrible keyboards though.
Nov 2025 · commentTI-89 preferred for straightforwardness · 1
will take a TI-89 over a Swiss Micros (mind you I own several) almost any day as it is more straightforward
Nov 2025 · comment
What hackers pick instead
- HP 15COwners praise its tactile keys, battery life and durability, with a median of 41 years of use. Critics say the reissues don't match the original's keys, display or labeling.24recommend
- Casio S100X Japanese Lacquer EditionPeople recommend it for its handcrafted lacquer look and premium feel as a keepsake, though critics say it is an average calculator for the price.16recommend
- Casio calculatorPeople recommend Casio calculators for being cheap, durable and simple enough for school exams and everyday math. Critics say the functions are limited and cannot store formulas or programs.14recommend
- SwissMicros R47 RPN calculatorRecommended as a physical RPN calculator with high-end build, screen and instant on/off, and engineering people praise. Critics call it backward-looking and too expensive.11recommend
- HP 42S calculatorOwners recommend the HP 42S for its satisfying tactile buttons and long life, with many reporting decades of reliable use. Battery replacement is the common caveat.8recommend
Every quote
The 16 most detailed of 21 comments. Each links to the original.
will take a TI-89 over a Swiss Micros (mind you I own several) almost any day as it is more straightforward
Mixed · Nov 2025 · in “The R47: A new physical RPN calculator”
My DM42n has a decent keyboard. Main criticism compared to my HP48G is that the keys are on the small side.
Mixed · Nov 2025 · in “The R47: A new physical RPN calculator”
It's one of those tools that just feels good to use.
Recommends · May 2026 · in “Ti-84 Evo”
Beautiful devices though. Built to last forever.
Recommends · Nov 2025 · in “The R47: A new physical RPN calculator”
It gives me a good feeling every time I use it.
Recommends · Feb 2026 · in “Ask HN: Do you still physical calculators?”
for similar keyboard feel and nostalgia factor
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
they’re a modern reimplementation of the 42S
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
Wow these are beautiful machines
Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “Zero ZGC4: A Better Graphing Calculator for School and Beyond”
built like absolute tanks!
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
Terrible keyboards though.
Criticizes · Nov 2025 · in “The R47: A new physical RPN calculator”
Stack based calculators are great because the stack works as a little scratchpad when I'm trying to figure something out.
Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Ask HN: Do you still physical calculators?”
I'd take a dm42n over any Ti anyday.
Recommends · May 2026 · in “Ti-84 Evo”
My goto desk calculator is the DM42
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
Swissmicros DM42N is a good second
Recommends · May 2026 · in “Ti-84 Evo”
SwissMicros DM42N is a solid third
Recommends · May 2026 · in “Ti-84 Evo”
My DM42 returned 9 exactly.
Recommends · May 2026 · in “I designed a nibble-oriented CPU in Verilog to build a scientific calculator”
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