Re: "They Won't" Message #26 Posted by John on 10 Nov 2005, 12:52 p.m., in response to message #25 by brian healy
That's the whole point of this "Bring back the 15c" stuff.
Problem is that developing a calculator takes a lot more than just a case and keys.
And, these days, corporations won't come out with something that just breaks even. It must compete for scarce capital against other projects with high rates of return.
If you can't show a high net present value, forget it.
Bringing back the 15c would not make HP money. Therefore, they won't do it.
It is simple economics. 10 units a week at ebay may bring $300-500 each.
Making 10,000 units a month of a new 15c and they'd be lucky to command $100 each. Probably more like $60-80 each.
For what? A calculator without alpha capabilities? With programs showing keycodes? Competing against graphing models selling for the same price? competing against casio and sharp models with pretty much the same capabilities selling for $20?
The only reason the 12c survives is that enough people buy them to make it nuts to discontinue it.
If the 15c had sold like the 12c did and still sells, it would still be made.
Not enough people bought it when it was on sale the first time to make it financially smart to keep selling it.
It certainly wouldn't be any different today.
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