The Museum of HP Calculators

HP Forum Archive 18

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HP 20b front
Message #1 Posted by Hans de Moor on 25 July 2008, 5:59 p.m.

I really like the new HP 20b except the shiny front surface. It shows every little fingerprint. Anyone else not happy with this or am I the only one with greasy fingers?

      
Re: HP 20b front
Message #2 Posted by Manatee on 25 July 2008, 6:38 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Hans de Moor

I've noticed the same thing. The "Piano Black" look is in style with automobile interiors and electronics (look at all the shiny black laptops from um... HP), so I guess the new calculator has to have it too. It collects fingerprints and dust. It would make a decent mirror if it weren't for all those pesky keys.

I'm not loving the sharp edges of the upper lip of the case either. Looks cool in profile, but doesn't feel so good in the hand. I guess they have a different set of product design objectives than they had in the old days.

            
Re: HP 20b front
Message #3 Posted by John Nguyen on 25 July 2008, 8:42 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by Manatee

I, too, don't know what HP was thinking with the shiny, smear-prone, scratch-prone shell. I also don't like the concave, casserole pan look of it. With that said, since it comes without a case of any kind, you can flip the unit over when not in use and have it lie flat nicely on a table top.

These are minor problems compared with the really annoying squishy keys. If they can produce newer calculators like the 12C Platinum and the 35S with the better keys, why didn't they just stick with them?

The overall usefulness of the 20B is very much welcomed, however; especially the bringing back of scientific functions (including the hyperbolic ones) usually missing in other business calculators. I would give a 4 out of 5 stars. It is a step in the right the direction (squishy keys notwithstanding).

John

Edited: 26 July 2008, 12:13 p.m.

      
Re: HP 20b front
Message #4 Posted by Bruce Bergman on 25 July 2008, 8:48 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Hans de Moor

Yeah, sadly I have to agree -- the physical case of the 20B is less than exciting. Fingerprints are obvious (which makes ANY financial calculator look really tacky...), it's easy to scratch, and it stands out like a sore thumb. The back cover, especially, has fingerprints all over it. Ick.

The sharp edge, the concave front (makes me think it will catch water) and the really poor keys just don't impress me. I guess that's what we have to deal with for a $50 calculator though.

By comparison, the new 17bii+ and 35s are BEAUTIFUL in design, form factor and aesthetic appeal. I wish the 20b guts were in the silver 17bii+ form factor.

Clearly, the guts of this calc are huge improvements over the other two. If HP can ONLY get the two aligned, I'd be in heaven. ;-)

thanks, bruce

            
Re: HP 20b front
Message #5 Posted by John Nguyen on 25 July 2008, 9:50 p.m.,
in response to message #4 by Bruce Bergman

Quote:

By comparison, the new 17bii+ and 35s are BEAUTIFUL in design, form factor and aesthetic appeal. I wish the 20b guts were in the silver 17bii+ form factor.


Actually I wish the 20b's guts were in the 35s form factor (or better yet, the Pioneer form factor, but I'm under no illusions that will ever happen), meaning the packaging and color, not the keyboard layout. Where is it written that a business calculator has to be a different color than its scientfic brethren? Well, I guess one can only dream of a 20bII.

I'm not whining (OK, just a little), I love that they brought back the large ENTER/INPUT key...finally. I also dream of a 50gII (or 50g+, whatever) with the large ENTER key.

John

Edited: 25 July 2008, 9:51 p.m.

                  
Re: HP 20b front
Message #6 Posted by Andrés C. Rodríguez on 26 July 2008, 1:56 p.m.,
in response to message #5 by John Nguyen

The new 17 Bii++ (silver) has, almost exactly, the Pioneer form factor.

                        
Re: HP 20b front
Message #7 Posted by Walter B on 26 July 2008, 2:39 p.m.,
in response to message #6 by Andrés C. Rodríguez

... and there was a design posted for a scientific/engineering calc on this basis in March already.

                              
Re: HP 20b front
Message #8 Posted by Andrés C. Rodríguez on 26 July 2008, 3:58 p.m.,
in response to message #7 by Walter B

...nicer and more elegant than the 35S (and also more readable)!

      
Re: HP 20b front
Message #9 Posted by Chuck on 25 July 2008, 10:45 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Hans de Moor

Well, since there isn't anything printed on the metal bezel, it looks like a good candidate to be "modded". That is if the metal faceplate can be separated from the rest of the unit.

            
Re: HP 20b front
Message #10 Posted by Walter B on 26 July 2008, 2:36 a.m.,
in response to message #9 by Chuck

How about adding a thin foil on top of it? Choose any material you like instead of separating anything. Just crossed my mind...

            
Re: HP 20b front
Message #11 Posted by Andrés C. Rodríguez on 26 July 2008, 2:00 p.m.,
in response to message #9 by Chuck

It's easir to "mod" a front panel (an overlay would do) than the legends on the keys. Is hard to make custom-engraved keys. I vote for plain keys except for numbers and "universal" functions like basic math, clear, input, etc. Financial or scientific functions should be in menus or in overlay-labeled positions. This makes for a truly adaptable platform, ŕ la 41C Blacknut.

      
Re: HP 20b front
Message #12 Posted by Thomas Radtke on 26 July 2008, 3:18 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Hans de Moor

For our german readers:

"Dass es HP mit der neuen Wende zur Lifestyle-Company ernst ist, zeigt aber auch ein am Rande der Veranstaltung fast untergegangenes Detail: In Berlin wurden neben allerhand modischem IT-Equipment auch neue Taschenrechner vorgestellt. Das Top-Modell HP 20b Business Consultant sieht schon fast aus wie ein iPhone mit Tasten - von weitem jedenfalls. Good Bye Langeweile!"

Source: http://www.zdnet.de/itmanager/kommentare/0,39023450,39192020-2,00.htm

Summary: HP introduces designes into their product range as "trendy" as Apple did, not even shy at bringing the iPhone look to the 20b.

            
Re: HP 20b front
Message #13 Posted by Bruce Bergman on 26 July 2008, 2:05 p.m.,
in response to message #12 by Thomas Radtke

Yeah, but you have looked at an iPhone? It's all smooth edges and curves, not sharp or abrupt edges. And when it does smudge, it doesn't smudge as bad. Even the screen, with fingerprints on it, is perfectly clear when illuminated.

If the iPhone was the model for HP, I'd say they missed the mark.

My $0.02 anyhow.

thanks, bruce


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