About DM32

[jonmoore]

Mine are as follows:

- 32S is from week 2 1989
- 32Sii is from week 4 1996
- 48GX is from week 1 1994

I believe all three key-sets use the same manufacturing process (but my eyes aren't trained to such matters).

As I've mentioned previously, the 32S wins every time regarding visual clarity (although I wish it had an amber LCD). The photo has a bright light source from the left, so the 32Sii isn't looking its best, but I think it's better than DM32 mainly because the bold font on the DM32 has a soft smeared edge. The typography of the 32's and 48GX has crispness as well as weight. It's hard to tell if the soft typography on the DM32 is because of the printing process or font choice (maybe the photograph exaggerates the softness, as it's heavily processed).

The other thing that's worth mentioning is that the typographic colour scheme of the 48GX works really well with the overall design. And much as mine doesn't have the white LCD so many desire, it's still high contrast, and the green LCD works really well against the calculator industrial design (the colour scheme of the 48GX appears to be informed by the industrial design choice of the green LCD).

The design choices edge those of the 48S/SX, where the casing and LCD colours aren't as complimentary. IMO the 48GX is the best 'interface' design of the RPL series of calculators. I love the 50g faceplate, but it's the entry point to such a wide breadth of functionality (the CAS specifically), it suffers from "can't see the wood for the trees" syndrome. Not when you're using it daily, but at a glance after a break, it takes time to acclimatise. The 32Sii is just as busy, but the major difference is that in general you get what you see on the label (to paraphrase the Ronseal advertising). If the 48S/SX had an amber LCD (which were manufactured at the time), I'd probably prefer the design to the 48G/GX design, based purely on aesthetic criteria. The GX is that perfect balance between simplicity and complexity, it will always be my ultimate HP calculator.

The biggest problems with the 32Sii with the 48GX colour palette is that it's inconsiderate regarding the overall industrial design. Subtle differences can have major consequences.

Many in the thread are far closer to HP in the past and SwissMicros now than I. My options are based on my profession (I'm a creative/design strategist, or a UX professional in modern lingo) and they're just that - opinions. I don't have an agenda and will purchase a 43 or 47 when they're available (I like the ergonomic design choices of the 43, but I'm emotionally attracted to the 47 for a variety of reasons). And as I've mentioned elsewhere, a 48 on SwissMicros hardware is my ultimate desire.