DM32

[jonmoore]

The 32S family of calculators (inc. i and ii) were created as affordable student calculators. The story's the same with the much-maligned HP-35s - which ironically, is the HP calculator that's second only to the 12c in terms of the number of years it's been in production.

The fact that these calculators minimise menu diving is a secondary benefit, and one that I value highly from a UX perspective. Pairing this with all the benefits of the DM42 hardware will be compelling for some. But not if it's marketed at a price point that's in the same ballpark as the DM42/DM41x.

If SM market the DM32 strictly to HP loyalists/collectors, I can't see this model being a commercial success. But if it's priced closer to their other Voyager emulations, it could appeal to a wider audience. If it's to mirror Hewlett Packard's positioning of HP 32s family, it should be priced lower than the 15L but considering the range of benefits that the DM42 hardware realises, a premium is justified (but within reason).

The HP-35s, even with its edge-case bugs (not counting the checksum issue, that' definitely a major bug IMO), is perfectly positioned. It's priced at circa $50, and it improves on the 32s in many ways, particularly its equation solver, which can e.g. be programmed to contain a healthy chunk of the 48 equation library. One enterprising chap/opportunist has marketed this very thing for lazy students taking various engineering exams.

https://www.engineeringexamtools.com/pro...lculators/

For any wondering how this is possible, considering the limitations of programming labels in the 35s, the trick is to create alpha labels as null equations positioned beside the actual equations. Considering the (relatively) healthy RAM in the 32s, there's plenty of storage space for these null alpha-equations too

There are still plenty of 35s's in the marketplace, even though HP finally stopped manufacturing last year. Outside of HP collectors, I think it would be reasonable to say that the main competitor to the DM32 will be the HP-35s. And that's ruling out the healthy number of 32s/ii's that are still being traded on eBay for circa $80-90 (I know some opportunists ask more but average sale prices are lower).

Personally speaking, I prefer a clean faceplate ala the DM42/41x, coupled with alpha-entry for extended functions, so I probably won't be picking up a DM32 (I could be tempted if it's priced circa the DM15L, especially if it comes pre-loaded with the 48 equation library!). But seeing as I already own a 32s ii (which I rarely use), the DM32 was always going to be something of a curiosity for me.