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HP Forum Archive 19

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OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #1 Posted by Matt Kernal on 4 Jan 2011, 2:53 p.m.

This calculator caught my attention for one reason (OK, two reasons)..

1: Double Injection Keytops

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/calculators/premium_calculators/x_mark_i_black#Specifications

2: $9.95

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Premium-Desktop-Calculator-3982B005/dp/B0035MCVA2

A quality four banger for a not-so-premium price .. who'd a thunk'it?

      
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #2 Posted by Walter B on 4 Jan 2011, 4:21 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Matt Kernal

Nicely packed, but alas: still only a 4-banger ...

      
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #3 Posted by Karl Schneider on 4 Jan 2011, 10:31 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Matt Kernal

Hello, Matt --

Long time no post!

Quote:
$9.95 ... A quality four banger for a not-so-premium price .. who'd a thunk'it?

Ah, but the original list price of $69.95 is exorbitant indeed. To me, a disqualifying attribute is the "skinny" numerals having a low width-to-height aspect ratio, making them hard to read. Is having 12 digits on a non-scientific calc worth the loss of legibility?

-- Karl

Edited: 4 Jan 2011, 10:43 p.m.

      
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #4 Posted by Eric Smith on 5 Jan 2011, 3:04 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Matt Kernal

It does suggest that if Canon can make a calculator with double-shot injection molded keys to sell for under $10, that HP ought to be able to do it for calculators that sell for $40 and up.

I've never believed the claims that double-shot injection molding was too expensive. It is obviously somewhat more expensive, but the added cost has to be well under $1 per calculator.

            
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #5 Posted by Walter B on 5 Jan 2011, 3:12 a.m.,
in response to message #4 by Eric Smith

Quote:
I've never believed the claims that double-shot injection molding was too expensive. It is obviously somewhat more expensive, but the added cost has to be well under $1 per calculator.
Depends on the total amount of keys made with one set of tools ...
            
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #6 Posted by Martin Pinckney on 5 Jan 2011, 8:46 a.m.,
in response to message #4 by Eric Smith

Quote:
It does suggest that if Canon can make a calculator with double-shot injection molded keys to sell for under $10, that HP ought to be able to do it for calculators that sell for $40 and up.
Apparently the Canon was intended to sell at $69.95, not $10. This seems to be a close-out or something.

                  
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #7 Posted by Eric Smith on 5 Jan 2011, 5:25 p.m.,
in response to message #6 by Martin Pinckney

OK, then it is at least proof that double-shot injection molded keys can be used in calculators that sell for $70 and up. That price range includes the 17BII and the 38/39/40, and 48/49/50 families.

                        
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #8 Posted by Matt Kernal on 7 Jan 2011, 11:45 a.m.,
in response to message #7 by Eric Smith

You saw what I saw..

Premium calculator, double-injected keys, and low price (most likely due to low wages).

HP, if you're listening, I'd pay extra for 1970's/1980's calculator quality... Canon is proving this is possible in today's economy (even without the high price).

      
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #9 Posted by Frido Bohn on 5 Jan 2011, 4:20 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Matt Kernal

Hello Matt,

quite interesting product indeed.
What also attracts my attention is the statement on the Canon site:
"Display lens made from Canon Digital Cameras' Recycled Pre-consumer materials"

So, we are confronted with a by-product of the camera manufacturing branch of Canon.
Not to say, a product made of parts which formerly would have disappeared in the waste basket, and now contributes to the Green labeling of the company.
What kind of calculators would we have to expect as a by-product of, let's say, Rolls-Royce, Coca-Cola or Boeing?
Or even Hewlett Packard? :-))

Regards
Frido

P.S.: What in the heck is "Pre-consumer"? Is there a life form beneath of the consumer?

            
industrial waste
Message #10 Posted by Frank Boehm (Germany) on 5 Jan 2011, 8:13 a.m.,
in response to message #9 by Frido Bohn

I'd say this is industrial waste from the manufacturing process - not from a finished-and-returned-product, allowing for "sortenrein" (dang, my english fails on me today) recycling, aka "as good as new".

            
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #11 Posted by Katie Wasserman on 5 Jan 2011, 11:05 a.m.,
in response to message #9 by Frido Bohn

How about a hyper-premium calculator from HP made from recalled and recycled HP-95C's? That would sell for a pretty penny I'll bet :)

            
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #12 Posted by Pal G. on 5 Jan 2011, 9:05 p.m.,
in response to message #9 by Frido Bohn

What caught my attention was the "Grand Total" function (GT key). I've never heard of that. I had to read the manual to see how that works.

                  
Re: OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator
Message #13 Posted by Martin Pinckney on 6 Jan 2011, 7:16 a.m.,
in response to message #12 by Pal G.

This used to be fairly common with "adding machines" designed for business/retail. The GT key was accompanied by a ST (subtotal) key, thus allowing summing several subsets of numbers before reaching the "grand" total.


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