Re: Is the HP 33s the next hot HP collectible ? Message #10 Posted by Ron Ross on 29 Oct 2013, 8:08 a.m., in response to message #5 by Michael de Estrada
I suspect Hp designs and makes a calculator with a 5 year life expectancy. As Mike Morrow has stated, Hp of old didn't always make a lifetime product either. The early 35, 45, 55, 65 and 67 were lifetime products. Not so much after that until the Hp 41C arrived. Then the voyager series, probably the last calculators offered with the intent to last for a decade or more with the ability to open and repair (Hp never bothered, but they could). Then the Pioneers were introduced (with no possibility of formal repair, welded shut). However, their build quality was also phenomenal.
Now for my speculation: Then Hp bean counters or cost analysis kicked in and somewhere, somehow, Hp calculators were deemed too expensive to make at Hp's current quality level, because there were NO follow up sales and or they couldn't compete with Ti with their current prices. To stand pat (status quo) was to lose.
To change was Hp's only chance. So Hp changed by reducing manufacturing costs and offering calculators like the fancy FHBB Hp 49G and dark blue Hp 39G. Well, that didn't work, so Hp returned to a click key for the Hp 39G and Hp 49G+ (still keeping with wild colors though) and somewhere in there, releasing the Chevron Hp 33s.
All of these new calculators released after 1995 or so all seem to be designed to last through a 4 year college education and be worn out at the end so that Hp could make that 2nd and 3rd calculator sale vs the Hp of old might not get that 2nd calculator sale, EVER!
My own thinking is (for what it is worth ie zero) that Hp should have resigned itself to looking at the calculator division as a small offshoot of the company with a small offering of high end calculators that would sell to calculator nuts who demanded the best and be a promotional product to represent the company ie demonstrate a quality product. The calculator line probably should have stayed with the instrument group, but that is to late to correct.
The calculators selection would be a high end Hp 42s with I/O, an Hp 17Bii with I/O (same frame as Hp 42s), a lower end Hp 12c (and Hp15c as they are physically the same)(while were at it, include two overlays and sell in same box with a calculator selection feature). Last, an Hp 50G.
Price structure:
Hp 12&15: $60
Hp 17&42: $90
Hp 50G:$120
Hp Prime ????
To early to tell and it may well re-establish Hp's name in the calculator business.
Manufacturing is limited to three calculator lines plus the Hp Prime. All three lines produce a popular product that can survive on its own. The Hp 15c should be able to replace the Hp 35s for an NCEES calculator while offering the Hp 42s for a real Hp RPN power calc (which the Hp 35s really isn't). Three lines, dump the oversized Hp 35s as it is closer to the size of most graphing calculators and not nearly the pocket calculator the Hp 15c is.
Anybody going to recommend me for the Hp Board of directors???
Edited: 29 Oct 2013, 8:15 a.m.
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