"An Apology" Message #9 Posted by Ron Ross on 6 May 2004, 1:43 p.m., in response to message #8 by Veli-Pekka Nousiainen
Hello Veli!
I have an overdue apology to make as I never actually expected to see the Hp 49G+ and accused you of taking some type of mental stimulants for thinking such.
That said, I feel that the Hp39/40G calculator is a wasted marketing adventure, since it doesn't offer RPN and is basically a Ti clone that will lose to Ti.
Therefore, I feel the basic graphics calculator market is lost to the Ti-83. Give it up and don't bother to pursue. Would you buy an Hp39G and not buy an Hp49G+. Sell only one high end Graphics and dump everything else.
As far as pocket calcs, I would have never bothered with the 33s, but made an Hp20s w/RPN and limited programability w/o alpha numerics. This should have allowed it on nearly every exam.
Since Hp now makes and distributes an Hp33s, continue to sell, but my main gripe against the 33s is PRICE and features. Truthfully that is what hurt the 32s also. These are $30-40 calculators selling for $50-60 and failing to sell.
An Hp43s on the other hand could justify an $80+ price (much like the Hp17Bi+ presently does). But an Hp43s released now would rob lots of sales from the Hp48GII (maybe all). Therefore, I still say an ideal product line doesn't bother to address product niche but offer the best at three levels.
The best at three levels is a low end pocket programmable that the 33s could fill, but would have to be priced at $30 to be that calculator.
The best possible pocket calc (fabled 43s) $60-90 price range.
The best possible graphics: an Hp49G+ or newer evolution.
Hp has the 33s on the market as the highest end pocket calculator available, and if there were never nothing better, I would embrace it. However, I just so happen to own an Hp42s and therefore have tasted better. There is no comparision for features and capabilities. People with a 32s who think its the best, just never had to bump into the upper limits of the 32s or need extensive use of matrix functions or use the superior soft menu system of the 42s.
The 33s is truthfully a low end pocket programmable which just happens to rule the roost because there are no challengers and the NCEES is effectively nailing an artificial ceiling on calculator development here in the USA.
I rant on too much.
Thanks for your input.
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