What is the key consumer noticable for HP ?

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HP Forum Archive 13

What is the key consumer noticable for HP ?
Message #1 Posted by Bob on 28 May 2003, 4:35 p.m.

Although I am a long-term HP user, quasi-collector, and a dedicated RPN fan, I just bought a half dozen TI-36XII's for use in a lab environment that has, historically, been hazardous for calcs. (Yes, I know that it is heresy, but I don't want to fork over a ton of money if the unit will be trashed in a few weeks. Not everyone appreciates the finer things in life!)
My point is, what are the most noticable features that you would need to make you buy something other than an HP if no new models emerge ?
I have to admit that given the number of features on the TI36XII's and the price of $9.99 each, I could easily get along with it if: 1. ...it's keys had more tactile feedback than an over-ripe grape. and 2. ...it used RPN rather than algebraic entry.
...so, for me, it is the feel of the keys and RPN. I have had several calcs for 10 - 20 years and they still work, (TI's included) but if they were even 3X the cost of the calcs I just bought, and included the features above, I would buy a bunch of them and spread them around the house, office, car, briefcase, nightstand, etc. - OK, I made that part up about the nightstand. (I'd buy more if they were the right color - brown!)

Re: What is the key consumer noticable for HP ?
Message #2 Posted by GS Leong on 28 May 2003, 5:05 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Bob

I agree, Key feel and RPN are the two dominant features next I would put layout and color scheme. Whats wrong with having an hp by on the nightstand anyway?

Re: What is the key consumer noticable for HP ?
Message #3 Posted by Bill Platt on 28 May 2003, 5:32 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by GS Leong

I parked an Algebraic there (on the nightstand) just a month ago--to try to slowly acclimatize my wife to the HP way ;)

Re: What is the key consumer noticable for HP ?
Message #4 Posted by hugh on 28 May 2003, 5:38 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Bob

for me its the keys and display, assuming no obvious function limitations. being palmsized and pocket sized are also a big bonus. other than hp's i also appreciated the build quality of some of the early casios (and other japanese makers). graphing is something of a minus for me, because it means the unit is bigger and i dont really want to do graphs on a calculator anymore.
an interesting question is; what is nicest machine currently still on sale new?

Re: What is the key consumer noticable for HP ?
Message #5 Posted by Les Bell [Sydney] on 28 May 2003, 10:29 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Bob

Huh? Of course you need an HP calc on the nightstand!
Why else do the 41 Time Module and the 41CX have the XYZALM function?
Best,
--- Les [http://www.lesbell.com.au]

Re: What is the key consumer noticable for HP ?
Message #6 Posted by james (UK) on 29 May 2003, 5:35 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Bob

Apart from RPN and key feel, I would also say the 'pick-up factor' - when you see a classic HP it calls out to you, you want to pick it up and hold it. Sadly, I can't say the same about the current ones - even the Voyager loses some of its attraction when released in a wierd color scheme.

Re: What is the key consumer noticable for HP ?
Message #7 Posted by Chan Tran on 29 May 2003, 6:18 p.m.,
in response to message #6 by james (UK)

Look. When I bought my first calculator in late 1975 I picked the HP-25 over others like TI's because of its look. I didn't really know what all the specification meant and definitely not knowing the different between RPN and algebraic. May be that's why RPN is easy for me as I didn't know any other way to use a calculator.

Re: What is the key consumer noticable for HP ?
Message #8 Posted by Trent Moseley on 30 May 2003, 12:13 a.m.,
in response to message #7 by Chan Tran

Chan Tran, you are three years ahead of me. I had a Commodore.xxxx which one of my sons lost at school. I saw an ad in Scientific American for the HP-25C in 1978 which I bought with some trepidation not having a clue about RPN. What a wonderful surprise!
tm

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