View source for Casio ClassPad 300

{{Redirect|ClassPad|the educational tablet|Classpad}}
{{short description|Family of graphing calculators by Casio}}
{{Infobox Calculator
| name = Casio ClassPad
| image = CasioClassPad300.JPG
| caption =
| type = [[Programmable calculator|Programmable]] [[Graphing calculator|Graphing]]
| entry = [[Calculator input methods#Mathematical display|V.P.A.M.]]
| introduced =
| discontinued =
| manufacturer = [[Casio]]
| precision =
| processor = [[SuperH]] 3
| display_type = [[Liquid crystal display|LCD]] [[Dot-matrix]]
| display_size = 160×240 [[pixel|dot]]s
| prog_lang = [[BASIC]]-like
| memory_user =
| memory_data =
| memory_step =
| supply =
| weight =
| dimensions =
}}
The '''[[Casio]] ClassPad 300''', '''ClassPad 330''' and '''fx-CP400'''<ref name=cp400>{{Cite web |url=http://www.casio-intl.com/asia-mea/en/news/2012/fx-cp400/ |title=Casio Releases Graphing Scientific Calculator with Large Touch-Panel Color LCD for Easy Viewing and Operability - 2012 - News - CASIO |access-date=2012-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202045035/http://www.casio-intl.com/asia-mea/en/news/2012/fx-cp400/ |archive-date=2012-12-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> are stylus based touch-screen [[graphing calculator]]s. It comes with a collection of applications that support self-study, like 3D Graph, Geometry, {{Proper name|eActivity}}, Spreadsheet, etc. A large 160x240 pixel LCD touch screen enables stylus-based operation. It resembles Casio's earlier [[Pocket viewer|Pocket Viewer]] line. [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]] and  [[Texas Instruments]] attempted to release similar pen based [[calculator]]s (the [[HP Xpander]]  and  [http://www.datamath.org/Story/PET_Project.htm PET Project] (see [[TI PLT SHH1]]), but both were cancelled before release to the market.

The ClassPad 300 allows input of expressions, and displays them as they appear in a textbook. Factorization of expressions, calculation of limit values of functions, and other operations can be performed while viewing the results on a large LCD screen. It also comes with graphing tools for 3D graphing and drawing of geometric figures.

The user interface features a pull-down menu format. Solutions, expressions, and other items can be selected with the tap of the stylus. Drag and drop, copy and paste, and other pen-based operations, are also supported. An {{Proper name|eActivity}} application allows the creation of so-called {{Proper name|eActivities}}, which can include figures, expressions, and explanations.

In the United States the ClassPad series is banned from standardized tests including the [[SAT Subject Tests|SAT]], the [[ACT (test)|ACT]], and the AP Calculus test,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techpoweredmath.com/review-casio-classpad-330/|title=Casio ClassPad 330 Review|website=www.techpoweredmath.com}}</ref> due to its virtual QWERTY keyboard and stylus usage.<ref name="cg500">{{cite web|url=https://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=213751|title=Nouvelle Classpad II fx-CG500 rentrée 2017 USA - News Casio|last=|first=|date=28 February 2017|website=TI-Planet|language=French|access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref>

In 2017, the '''fx-CG500''' was released, targeted towards the North American market. While almost entirely identical to the fx-CP400, its removal of the QWERTY keyboards means it is included in the list of allowed calculators on American standardized exams, including AP and SAT.

==History==

During 1996, CASIO worked on the [[Computer algebra system|CAS]] (Computer Algebra System) and studying Geometry. The [[Computer algebra system|CAS]] was first used in the [[Casio graphic calculators#9850 series (9750/9850/9950/9970)|Casio CFX-9970G]] then the [[Casio graphic calculators#Algebra FX series|Casio Algebra FX 2.0]], and later formed the core math system for the ClassPad.

In 1999, the idea of the {{Proper name|eActivity}} emerged. It was intended to allow all applications to interact from within one application, and display information in a textbook style.

In 2000, CASIO opened a new office, the CASIO Education Technology M.R.D. Center in Portland, Oregon, USA. They hired many engineers, and started to implement more features.

In 2002, CASIO completed a prototype for the ClassPad. Before the prototype was complete, an emulator was used for testing. The emulator was later included in the software that was being developed for data transfer. The data transfer and emulator software later merged into one product called the ClassPad Manager.

In 2003 and 2005, CASIO released respectively their first and second product: the ClassPad 300 with 4.5 MB of flash memory, and the ClassPad 300 Plus with 5.4 MB of flash memory and other improvements.

===ClassPad OS 3.0===
[[File:CasioClassPadManager3.png|thumb|120px|ClassPad Manager 3.0 Software]]

In 2006 CASIO released OS 3.0 for the ClassPad. OS 3.0 featured Laplace and Fourier transform, differential equation graphs, financial functions, AP statistics and parameterized 3D graphs. Subsequent releases were only available for users with OS 3.0 or later.

Later in 2006 & 2007 CASIO released OS 3.01 and 3.02, concentrating solely on bug fixing. The 2007 ClassPad was called the 330 series, but was distinguished from the 300 plus only by its having OS 3.02 pre-installed.

In 2008 CASIO released OS 3.03 for the ClassPad. OS 3.03 featured new probability distribution functions, an extended numeric solver and several user interface improvements. The corresponding hardware with this OS installed was the 330-A series <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.casiocalc.org/?showtopic=4277|title=Casio Classpad 330 A - Classpad|publisher=}}</ref>

In 2009 CASIO released OS 3.04 for the ClassPad. OS 3.04 featured an updated spreadsheet application, stat function enhancements and several user interface improvements. Also, there were two hotfix releases for OS 3.04.3000 - namely: OS 3.04.4000<ref>[http://edu.casio.com/support/info_cp3044/ Bugs fixed in ClassPad OS 3.04.4000] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115093152/http://edu.casio.com/support/info_cp3044/ |date=November 15, 2009 }}</ref> and OS 3.04.5000<ref>[http://edu.casio.com/support/info_cp3045/ Bugs fixed in ClassPad OS 3.04.5000] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611153809/http://edu.casio.com/support/info_cp3045/ |date=June 11, 2010 }}</ref>

In 2010 CASIO released OS 3.05 for the ClassPad. OS 3.05 featured new financial functions and an 'on data' option for quartile calculation.

In 2011 CASIO released OS 3.06 for the ClassPad. OS 3.06 featured new imaginary calculation functions and an improved numeric solver. So far, four hotfixs release followed with the lastest being 3.06.4000

In 2012 CASIO released the ClassPad 330 Plus featuring a faster CPU (SuperH 4) and the calculator is now treated as a regular USB mass storage device.

In December 2018 Casio released 3.10.7000 for the ClassPad 330 Plus. Adding improvements in calculation precision. 

==fx-CP400==
{{Infobox calculator
| name = Casio ClassPad II fx-CP400
| image = Casio Classpad FXCP400 (on white BG).jpg
| type = [[Programmable calculator|Programmable]]
| entry = [[Calculator input methods#Mathematical display|V.P.A.M.]]
| conn1 = Computer
| via1_1 = USB
| conn2 = Other fx-CP400s
| via2_1 = 3pin cable (up to 115.2 [[kilobit]]s / second)
| introduced =2013
| discontinued  = 
| predecessor = ClassPad 330 Plus
| latest_firmware= 2.01.7000.0000
| cost = ~$150 [[USD]]
| processor =[[SuperH]] 4 (SH7305)
| prog_lang = [[BASIC]]-like, often called Casio-BASIC
| precision = 15 digits (typical display)<br>611 digits (for integers, maximum length that can be stored exactly)<br>15 decimal digits<br>1000 digits (maximum)
| display_type = Color [[Liquid crystal display|LCD]]
| display_size = 320 × 528 (4.8 inch)
| memory_user = 512 KB (included in RAM)
| memory_extern = 24 MB (storage)<br>5.5 MB (eActivity)
| memory_data = 2 MB (512 KB available to user)
| connection = USB <br> 3pin data communication
| supply = 4 AAA alkaline or nickel-metal hydride batteries
| power = 1.0 W
| weight = 315 grams
| dimensions = 8.9 cm (W)<br> 20.6 cm (D)<br> 2.11 cm (H)
}}

The fx-CP400,<ref name=cp400/> released in 2013, has a colour screen also capable of switching the screen between portrait and landscape views. The resolution was also improved, to 320 × 528 pixels.

The [[Central processing unit|CPU]] is a [[SuperH]] 4 of the SH-7305 model. It contains a 2MB RAM chip, but only 512KB are available to the user. It includes 24 MB of flash storage, and 5.5 MB for {{Proper name|eActivity}}.

On this calculator, integers can be stored up to 2<sup>2032</sup>, which is 611 digits long. After that, [[scientific notation]] is used to represent numbers up to 10<sup>1000</sup>.

==fx-CG500==
The Casio fx-CG500 was introduced in 2017, and is almost identical to the fx-CP400. The most significant difference is that its virtual keyboard is stuck in alphabetical (ABC) layout, as opposed to the fx-CP400's option to switch between QWERTY, German QWERTZ and alphabetical layout. Due to this, it is now included in the list of authorised models in American SAT and AP exams.<ref name="cg500"/>

It has a grey-colored appearance, as opposed to the fx-CP400's black on white design.

==Programming==
The calculators can be programmed in two ways. The Classpad comes with [[Casio BASIC]], a built-in [[BASIC]]-like [[Interpreter (computing)|interpreted]] language, allowing the user to create programs using built-in functionality.

The other method is to create an add-in. Add-ins are binary programs, executing directly on the calculator's CPU. Casio/Saltire has released an SDK, allowing users to create their own add-ins, though no support is provided for this by Casio. The SDK is available for registered users at Casio's website. Currently there is no SDK version compatible with the new Classpad 330 Plus or the fx-CP400.

After the release of the SDK, a Lua interpreter plugin (CPlua) was created. This add-in allows users to develop programs and games in [[Lua (programming language)|Lua]].

==See also==
* [[TI-Nspire]] - some models have touchpad and CAS
* [[TI-92 series]] - CAS and qwerty keyboard
* [[TI-89 series]] - CAS
* [[HP-49 series]] - CAS
* [[HP Xpander]] (project was canceled) - It had both a keyboard and a pen-based interface but no CAS
* [[HP Prime]] - touchpad and CAS

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://edu.casio.com/ Casio Resources and Downloads] &ndash; CASIO WEW Worldwide Education Website.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060414082626/http://www.classpad.de/euro/ CASIO ClassPad Europa de] &ndash; Official ClassPad 300 Web site for Casio Europe.
* [http://casiocalc.org/ Universal Casio Forum] &ndash; Forum for Casio calculators.
* [http://www.casiopeia.net/forum/ Casiopeia] &ndash; English Casio Calculators Forum
* [https://archive.today/20130105222421/http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/classpad/ ClassPad Yahoo Group] &ndash; Another related forum.
* [http://www.aulamatematica.com AULA MATEMATICA DIGITAL] &ndash; website in Spanish.
* [http://www.classpad.com.au ClassPad Help Series] &ndash; Tutorial with movies to start learning about ClassPad.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080718195346/http://www.casioed.net.au/ CasioEd] &ndash; Australian resources for learning maths with Classpad.
* [https://mans.io/item/Casio/ClassPad-300 Online Manual] Online Manual

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[[Category:Casio calculators|ClassPad 300]]
[[Category:Graphing calculators]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2003]]