A recipe for the HP-41C birth Message #2 Posted by Andrés C. Rodríguez (Argentina) on 8 Aug 2002, 6:48 p.m., in response to message #1 by Ellis Easley
Many wonders...
LCD + CMOS = Continuous Memory + No rechargeable batteries
LCD = ALPHA at acceptable cost and power budgets
CMOS + Moore's Law = Non Volatile, enough capacity RAM for nicer and longer programs
HISTORY (1972-1978?) + COMMITTMENT to be excellent = Understanding of user needs and preferences + good implementations + creativity + human factors (Keyboard feel, "USER", and even "NULL" are examples)
LAB INSTRUMENTATION BACKGROUND + HP-IB (aka IEEE 488) = Peripherals and HP-IL insight
OPTOELECTRONICS BACKGROUND + SEMICONDUCTOR BACKGROUND = Optical Wand + ROM as software distribution media + custom chips with serial buses...
QUALITY CULTURE + MEDICINE/INSTRUMENTATION BACKGROUND = Excellent documentation and service
ENGINEERING BACKGROUND = Few politics and speculation
But also a tender critique...
EXCESS OF INVENTIVENESS = Newer but poor interboard connectors, flexible printed circuit bus (corrossion sensitivity), lack of standards support such as RS232, weak plastics for screw posts...
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