Re: HP's that lasted >10 years Message #13 Posted by Andrés C. Rodríguez (Argentina) on 6 Aug 2002, 6:18 p.m., in response to message #12 by Tom (UK)
In my humble opinion, there is a large difference between pre and post HP41 times. In a plot of usability versus time, I think we can clearly observe a period in time (1972-1979) in which every six months new features appeared (HP 35-45-65, TI 50-56-52, HP 25-25C, HP67, TI 58-59). From the HP41 introduction on, changes were MUCH slower, since most "dreamed" features were already available in the HP41(with symbolic math and graphics remaining the major elusive dreams for ten more years). So it is a matter of evolution; and something like the law of diminishing returns, which commands these processes. After achieving a good usability level, the focus shifted to friendliness, lower price, smaller size (Voyagers: 10C-11C-15C-16C series), and then lower manufacturing-service costs (Pioneers). The high end turned powerful but more difficult to use for regular tasks (48...), which is a doubtful progress for these devices.
Again, my hat off to the HP41 !!
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