The programmable calculator the HP-30b should have been

[Don Shepherd]

(09-08-2014 04:47 PM)Joseph_21sv Wrote:  sort of makes one wonder why HP bothered to give it programmability at all

Programmability is always great for those who need or want to customize the calculator to do things particular to their needs. The clear plastic overlay was a good way to add programmability but at the same time keep the keyboard neat and clean for those (the majority) who don't care about programming. I think that concept worked well in the case of the 30b.