An explanation (a bit long) Message #29 Posted by Walter B on 12 Nov 2008, 5:01 p.m., in response to message #28 by Jeff O.
Fully agree it increases costs, but - just in case it didn't become clear yet - I don't want a mushy calc for 40US$, I want a serious scientific instrument instead.
To make it simple: Right now the top of HP's calculator line sells for some 130US$ retail, with a huge LCD and tremendous power many of us don't need, and a RePeLling OS and a large housing many of us don't want. Somewhere in between the 20b and the 50G, presumably next to the upper limit, must be a niche for the heir of the 42S. According to the survey most of us participated, many are willing to pay even more for such a device than for a 50G.
So if you claim
Quote:
any and all new designs will be based on the new chip
I doubt it, since the 17bii+ Silver contains something different, and since I doubt HP will abandon intentionally all medium level RPN activities and reduce its own market to cheap calcs with low margin. Maybe I'm terribly wrong, however. Dunno. Anyway, DaveJ and Hugh Steers have proven they can build a very nice device within limited time from scratch with standard material and homegrown SW, and for reasonable costs, though far away from mass production. So, if HP will provide a feasible platform, it may well start something like "personal calculating" which may be not only a big boost for its renommee in the sci-tech world but also a direct economic success. It may even become "cool" to taylor one's own calculator. I'm no marketeer - but also the decision for the 35 was not taken by marketeers, nevertheless it became a great (unexpected) success because it started something new fulfilling the needs of professionals.
So, please, HP, after creating the 20b as a guinea pig for the new concept of open calcs, and after extending that approach to the 12C forced by short supplies, please do the next step and provide a platform allowing to make something serious - if you don't want to make it completely on your own.
<end of rant - or in German: Das musste mal gesagt werden!>
Ceterum censeo: ... you know.
Walter
Edited: 12 Nov 2008, 6:12 p.m.
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