The programmable calculator the HP-30b should have been

[d b]

Joseph;

Yes; the 20b/30b display is sub-optimal, but it's cheap. What Marcus and Paul got it to become in the 34s is nothing short of miraculous, and they gave us that for free.

Yes, HP could have made a better platform. A 42 with I/O would have hit a home run. But then; we'd be saying "why doesn't it have a THREE line display?" Then four. Then four with menus.

Wait for the 43s. THAT will be a calculator.