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Looks like this
HP-15C

;) Keith


Edited: 8 Oct 2011, 5:05 a.m.

Looks like a Sherman tank just passed over it and none the worse happened :-)

I have a battered HP 12C, also of similar durability.


hpnut in Malaysia

Nice find from the trash-dump.

I seriously doubt the pictured example has seen much actual use at all. Perhaps there has been some of instances of abuse, but that's all. It is impossible to use any Voyager regularly without wear on the model "badge" becoming apparent...and this example has none.

I've uploaded a photo of the back of the calculator now - definitely lots signs of use there! Perhaps the lack of wear on the emblem is to do with not being moved in and out of the slip cover for many years?

My HP15c had LOTS of use and its badge was absolutely fine. Unfortunately the whole calculator was dropped and smashed two years ago.

In contrast my HP16C - which I still have - had far less use but lost its badge years ago and more recently the chrome panel had buckled and come loose. Works perfectly though :-)

Quote:
Looks like this
HP-15C

;) Keith

Didn't you win the auction on that US$79-ish 15c which looked
like it was used in a corrosion experiment? If so I believe
you are on the hook to share pictures with the class of that
unfortunate casualty. In any case that 15c leaves the specimen
above in the dust w/r/t horrific condition.

Quote:
Didn't you win the auction on that US$79-ish 15c which looked
like it was used in a corrosion experiment?

now that raises an interesting question - what if a nice person from HP were to supply a new bezel and keyboard plate from the 15LE production line? would these brand new parts fit on an original 15C? would the parts need trimming?

perhaps TW might comment?

can also look like this one:

a real work horse

Quote:
can also look like this one:

a real work horse


Wow. I believe we have a new first place winner. Although the
suspect corrosion experiment cited above was impressive, it
was likely victim of lying derelict in a hostile environment.
The unit here was simply
used to death. I suppose if there is any right
way for a voyager to check out, this may be the most respectful.

HP: Please buy this from the owner and place it in your corporate
museum, forever running the ON/x self test.


Edited: 8 Oct 2011, 1:37 p.m.

Quote:
Didn't you win the auction on that US$79-ish 15c which looked like it was used in a corrosion experiment? If so I believe you are on the hook to share pictures with the class of that unfortunate casualty. In any case that 15c leaves the specimen above in the dust w/r/t horrific condition.

No, I bought this for about $120 in 2009. From memory, there was little information from the seller other than something like "well used/ as is, etc". It was actually the first 15C I purchased, but I sold it later that year when I found a better one.

I am an engineer and many examples I see in engineering offices are similar to this. There is one design office that I visit for work occasionally where there are 4 x 15C's in active duty. All are very well worn, similar to my Flickr example. One has been missing its battery cover for years and is taped up with sticky tape, one is missing it's 15C emblem. I think what happens to many of these is they remain on a desk where the get knocked, bumped, dropped, etc.

Keith

I should also add that the reason for posting this pic was my fascination with how a calculator (the 15C) can be used exclusively for so many years by some professionals without replacement. It is hard to imagine that happening these days (think of how often most people change their mobile phone). Even graduates these days do not seem to have the need for such a close connection to a specific calculator.

What is also amazing is that they last for so long (also the batteries). Will the 15C-LE last 30 years under daily hard working conditions? Probably not (nothing against the LE - I have 2 and praise HP for its re-release - I have one in front of me right now as i'm multitasking work and other stuff), but quality of manufacturing is just not the same in this mass-produced age.

Keith

Quote:
I have a battered HP 12C, also of similar durability.

The worst 12C I have is this one

Gives new meaning to the phrase "calculator battery." :)