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HP Forum Archive 20

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HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #1 Posted by Jeff Johnson on 8 Nov 2011, 1:43 p.m.

Still waiting to order one (or two)... Anyone heard anything through the grapevine? I'm assuming this is another Kinpo product, so hopefully they'll get the bugs worked out and have a solid, useful product and a steady supply stream. They managed to do it with the 50g and 35s. The yearning masses are waiting ...

      
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #2 Posted by Lincoln R. on 8 Nov 2011, 3:22 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Jeff Johnson

It is an HP design, but probably manufactured by Kinpo. They've had some early manufacturing slip-ups and some firmware bugs, but this time the firmware was developed by HP themselves, so we will probably see a fix.

      
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #3 Posted by Mike Morrow on 8 Nov 2011, 8:50 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Jeff Johnson

Quote:
...hopefully they'll get the bugs worked out and have a solid, useful product and a steady supply stream. They managed to do it with the 50g and 35s.

The 35S?!?! Not in any universe I know about. HP has done nothing to correct the many many bugs in that sorry piece of work. But...they've only had six years. :-)

            
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #4 Posted by Jeff Johnson on 10 Nov 2011, 8:44 a.m.,
in response to message #3 by Mike Morrow

Point taken! Let me clarify. There was initially a keyboard problem with the 35s, that appears to have been corrected. Yes, there's also some software bugs, but they really don't affect my day-to-day use of the 35s (it's my "daily driver"). I'm quite attached to both of my 35s calcs (work and home), and I'm calling it a "good" product, even though I find the keyboard layout rather disorganized. In my spare time, I photo-shopped my ideal "35s Pro" that has (in my little mind) the optimized keyboard and screen layout. Nice to dream about ... :o)

                  
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #5 Posted by Thomas Radtke on 10 Nov 2011, 8:50 a.m.,
in response to message #4 by Jeff Johnson

Quote:
[...] even though I find the keyboard layout rather disorganized.
May I ask why? It's a 'giant leap' ahead of the layout of the otherwise amazing 32SII in terms of organization, imo.
                        
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #6 Posted by Jeff Johnson on 10 Nov 2011, 9:13 a.m.,
in response to message #5 by Thomas Radtke

Sure thing. The 5 algebra keys are laid out as a sideways "T", the 7 trig functions are laid out as a sideways "L", and the 4 log functions are laid out as a sideways "H". The human brain tends to search in straight lines, and follow patterns, but here we have neither, making the function search inefficient. Same for the alphanumerics. If you erase all the legends on the keyboard except the A-Z, it becomes immediately obvious why it's hard to find the letters when you're looking for them. Lastly, the conversion functions and menu buttons appear to be randomly mixed together in the bottom half of the calculator.

                  
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #7 Posted by Paul Gaster on 10 Nov 2011, 9:24 a.m.,
in response to message #4 by Jeff Johnson

Quote:
There was initially a keyboard problem with the 35s, that appears to have been corrected.
Why do you think this? As far as I know there never has been any change or improvement to the 35S. A month or two ago a guy claimed his 35s, made in 2010, was just fine and never missed keystrokes. A few days later he posted that he finally noticed his missing keystrokes sometimes.
      
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #8 Posted by Hal Bitton in Boise on 8 Nov 2011, 11:21 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Jeff Johnson

I ordered one the first part of October, which I have not recieved. HP support tells me the "warehouse" is out of stock untill December.
So maybe I'll get it as a Christmas present (to myself). :) Best regards, Hal

      
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #9 Posted by Paul Gaster on 8 Nov 2011, 11:48 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Jeff Johnson

I ordered two back in September sometime. This morning I got some email about how they charged my card and the order is being processed. When I log into the site I see no progress or anything different so I need to call them tomorrow. I have no idea what is going on.

      
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #10 Posted by Eddie W. Shore on 9 Nov 2011, 9:17 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Jeff Johnson

Quote:
Still waiting to order one (or two)... Anyone heard anything through the grapevine? I'm assuming this is another Kinpo product, so hopefully they'll get the bugs worked out and have a solid, useful product and a steady supply stream. They managed to do it with the 50g and 35s. The yearning masses are waiting ...

They have got to get shipping problem corrected soon. HP has got to have the hint: "We want the 15C!"

            
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #11 Posted by Katie Wasserman on 9 Nov 2011, 11:27 a.m.,
in response to message #10 by Eddie W. Shore

Quote:
HP has got to have the hint: "We want the 15C!"

How about "We want the bug-fixed 15C!"

Edited: 9 Nov 2011, 11:27 a.m.

                  
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #12 Posted by Paulo MO on 9 Nov 2011, 12:50 p.m.,
in response to message #11 by Katie Wasserman

Hear, hear...

                  
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #13 Posted by Kerem Kapkin (Silicon Valley, CA) on 9 Nov 2011, 1:27 p.m.,
in response to message #11 by Katie Wasserman

Please correct me if I am incorrect, HP-15C was popular and loved by many, because of:

1- Form factor

2- Advanced scientific capabilities like no other at the time (not even now, in most cases)

3- Robustness and Reliability: Keyboard, Screen, Hardware, Firmware, Battery Life.

4- Simplicity and Elegance.

If HP-15C LE will live up to the legacy of this great product, and not just a classic look alike, then at least should meet these criteria and (plus more without compromises, faster speed, etc). Then we have a winner.

Edit: I really want to give credit to the HP product and development team who did a great job with bringing this calculator back. It is almost there. It is unfair that they are getting blamed for the poor quality of the chinese manufacturer. However they did the right thing and addressing the quality issues in a timely manner. Hard to know what else is going on behind the scenes. But I am confident that HP product team will resolve the quality issues and the HP-15C LE will live up to the legacy of the original 15C and more. What is next?, a hybrid 15C/12C with in the same package with customer keyboard layout? HP-42S LE? WP-34s -> ???? It has been awhile since 35s, perhaps it is time for the next big thing coming up??. Make Meg proud and fans happy!

Edited: 9 Nov 2011, 6:55 p.m. after one or more responses were posted

                        
Re: HP-15c LE Out of Stock
Message #14 Posted by Thomas Radtke on 9 Nov 2011, 2:23 p.m.,
in response to message #13 by Kerem Kapkin (Silicon Valley, CA)

Quote:
[...] Battery Life.
Uh-oh.

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