Is RPN still relevant?

[John Garza (3665)]

By the time the Voyagers came around, HP was learning how to make consumer electronics. The Classics (12C is not a 'Classic') were high quality and expensive to make. The goal in consumer electronics was to reduce cost to allow a reduction in price which should allow higher sales volume as consumers are price sensitive. HP by then was known for high prices, so the reduction was moderate to get a good profit and not destroy the brand image (yes there are many variables in a company's pricing strategy!). If they go rock bottom they could lose their following and sales could plummet. Some companies even go as far as starting another company to sell the 'lesser' products under a different name.

The fist foray into cost reduction - the Woodstocks had quality and design problems, the next, the Spice series, even more. The Voyagers finally achieved good quality. It took HP a long time to get it right. Consumer electronics was not their business until calculators came along.

Another thing to do is compare the numbers among the different companies at the time. HP sold fewer units, but with a higher profit margin, they could still be competitive. Other brands like TI and Casio sold more units but at a cheaper price. Would make an interesting business case study for an MBA class.

-J