I just got a new HP 50G. I was shocked that the serial number is a sticker, not a number engraved onto the claculator! Imagine a firearm with the serial number affixed with a sticker, you get the idea ;-)

is this the case with the new HP 20b too? I got a prototype so it does not have a serial number. what is it like on a production model?

I have a sticker for the serial number, on my HP20b.

This could go good or bad. One benefit is that there is usually a duplicate sticker on the blister pack (See the
Back of the Silver 17bii+ for example) so you can know the serial number without busting the wrapper.

Are you starting to collect serial numbers?

(I guess you had something different in mind but I couldn't let this go ;)

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Imagine a firearm with the serial number affixed with a sticker, you get the idea ;-)

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:-)

serial numbers are usually given to valuable pieces of equipment like survey total stations. 20 years ago HP calcs were valuable, not any more though. I wander why they (HP) bother giving serial numbers to their current production at all. They all look like disposable items (after HP48G)to me. Am I going blind?

Cheers,
reth

The only purpose it serves on a cheap product is to allow the manufacturer to isolate and identify production problems based on warranty-returned items.

no, but if you have more than one of something, it is useful to identify it in some way.:) I have duplicates in my collection, sealed and unsealed, and it is very easy to keep track of them by serial number.
Cheers,
Al

Actually, the 50G has two serial numbers.
There is also an internal serial number, which is displayed when you flash the ROM.

The internal serial number differs from the external serial number on the little sticker.
On my 50G:

The external serial number is shown as: CNA 638xxxxx

The internal serial number is shown as: CNA630xxxx

To see the internal serial number, type:

256 ATTACH [Enter]

SERIAL [Enter]

and scroll to the right

Edited: 15 Aug 2008, 5:33 p.m.

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The internal serial number differs from the external serial number on the little sticker.
On my 50G:

The external serial number is shown as: CNA 638xxxxx

The internal serial number is shown as: CNA630xxxx

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thanks for the info.

In my case, they are externally CNA727yyyyy, internally CNA724zzzzz.

I am puzzled. what is the use of different serial nos? I disagree with what some members said about serial nos. useful only for expensive equipment. well, at US$150 manufacturer's recommended price, the HP 50G is not exactly cheap, remember it is HP's flagship calculator.

surely engraving the serial no. does not cost much, HP had done it before. this sticker serial no. is nonsense :-(

My 32SII is stamped with a serial, the 33S, 35S are stick on labels. What does Epson and TI do? Sam

For truely premium items like the hp6s, batch numbers are used rather than individual unit serial numbers.

"When all calculators are outlawed,
Only outlaws will have calculators!"

:-)

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is this the case with the new HP 20b too? I got a prototype so it does not have a serial number. what is it like on a production model?

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