HP Forum Archive 18

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

HP 17bII+ Silver vs Gold Message #1 Posted by SCSNOW on 18 Mar 2008, 7:51 a.m. Please can you help? I've noticed that there is a Silver version, and a gold bezel version. Which is the newer version? Also, which should I buy? Here's a picture of the silver edition http://picasaweb.google.es/orbitalbum/HP17BII/photo?authkey=-vp_OmJ6h-Q#5173166080229194370 and this is the Gold bezel edition: http://www.amazon.com/Hewlett-Packard-F2234A-17BII-Financial-Calculator/dp/B0000CAQ0C/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i Thanks in advance! Steve

Re: HP 17bII+ Silver vs Gold Message #2 Posted by Ken Shaw on 18 Mar 2008, 10:27 a.m., in response to message #1 by SCSNOW The silver version is the newer one, having just been released in Europe late in 2007, I think. It doesn't seem to be available in North America yet, and I haven't yet seen any comparisons to the earlier gold version by any of the users on this forum.

Re: HP 17bII+ Silver vs Gold Message #3 Posted by Don Shepherd on 18 Mar 2008, 11:40 a.m., in response to message #2 by Ken Shaw The new silver version seems to perform the same as the gold version.

Re: HP 17bII+ Silver vs Gold Message #4 Posted by bt_schmidt on 18 Mar 2008, 2:50 p.m., in response to message #2 by Ken Shaw Quote: The silver version is the newer one, having just been released in Europe late in 2007, I think. It doesn't seem to be available in North America yet, and I haven't yet seen any comparisons to the earlier gold version by any of the users on this forum. I've heard that HP has been deferring the introduction of the HP 17BII+ [silver] into the US as there are still a lot of the HP 17BII+ [gold] units in the retail channel. So yeah, please do go ahead and buy a gold one, so the day when I can buy a silver one will arrive that much sooner! <grin> ...bt

Re: HP 17bII+ Silver vs Gold Message #5 Posted by Walter B on 19 Mar 2008, 4:59 a.m., in response to message #2 by Ken Shaw FYI, the silver edition may have a problem missing keystrokes (please see at least one observation in this thread). So, another reason in favor of gold.

Re: HP 17bII+ Silver vs Gold Message #6 Posted by Walter Lam on 20 Mar 2008, 11:30 a.m., in response to message #1 by SCSNOW Quote: Please can you help? I've noticed that there is a Silver version, and a gold bezel version. Which is the newer version? Also, which should I buy? Here's a picture of the silver edition http://picasaweb.google.es/orbitalbum/HP17BII/photo?authkey=-vp_OmJ6h-Q#5173166080229194370 and this is the Gold bezel edition: http://www.amazon.com/Hewlett-Packard-F2234A-17BII-Financial-Calculator/dp/B0000CAQ0C/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i Thanks in advance! Steve I've just bought a silver 17bII+ in Hong Kong this evening. Hong Kong is now selling the silver version instead of Golden version. My unit S/N: CNA 74900712 I used to owned a golden bezel 17bII+ so I want to say my initial impression on silver one and golden one. External cosmetics: the silver 17bII+ looks like to use the same casing and keyboard of HP 35s. But the keyboard layout remains the same as original 17BII and golden 17bII+. There's no cursor key like HP 35s (on the top right corner) on silver 17bII+. The silver 17bII+ is comfortable to hold on my palm and it's much better than the golden one, which based on 10BII casing. Overall, the build quality is fine and better than early 2003 productions. The leather pouch is well sewed. Keyboard: Earlier units of golden 17bII+'s keyboard has problem like missing keystroke. Luckily, my silver unit is fine. No missing keystroke. I am satisfied the silver unit's keyboard feel and it is much improved compare to golden unit. But still cannot compare to old Pioneer series. I think HP has listened to their customers' responses to improve the new unit. Display: Both silver and gold are the same. No significant difference noted. Calculation/Functions: Seems no changes. I have a quick scan on the silver 17bII+ User's Guide. I found that HP had updated the User's Guide in May 07. My silver 17bII+ is sold with Edition 3 User's Guide. I never see it published on HP website. I didn't compare it line-by-line to Edition 2 user's manual yet. I will do a comparison of Edition 3 and Edition 2 user's manual in my Easter holiday. My Guess: With the new edition of User's Guide, I guess HP had changed something when it launch the sliver 17bII+. Probably fixed the bugs, revise the internal code/firmware, changing the designs of the electronics....etc. I'm not sure......and it's just my guess only!!! I hope that either people from HP or expert readers at HP Museum can enlighten us and also testing whether HP has fixed the known bugs on this silver 17bII+.

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall