Is the HP49G+ that bad?

[Han]

I just got one off eBay for just over $33. I did a search for completed auctions, and it appears that most sell for very little. Are these really so bad that most people are willing to part with them for so little?

(edited for spelling)

Edited: 14 Mar 2010, 11:59 p.m. after one or more responses were posted

[Reth]

AFAIC, yes. I've got one and I'm ready to give it away($0.00 plus postage). It's one of the very first built units, currently with HP50 screen protector
Cheers

[Han]

Oh my =) I suddenly feel ripped off with my $33 purchase -- haha!

Han

[Nigel J Dowrick]

What ruined it for me was an absolutely horrible keyboard that would repeatedly register multiple key presses. If the keyboard on your model is fine (later models were better, I believe) and the colour scheme appeals to you, then you've got a bargain! It's a very powerful machine.

Nigel

[Jeff Kearns]

Mine is, I believe, a later model. CNA41900***. Although I have noticed the odd double entry key press issue in the past, I find it acceptable - notwithstanding the colour scheme and ENTER key size and placement. I would go so far as to say that the 50G is the most disappointing incremental improvement in calculator design ever. How does a new colour scheme (albeit a very nice one), a fourth battery, a quasi-RS232 serial port, and a slightly improved keyboard (over later models) warrant a whole new model number?

Here is an old post comparing the two units. There is no fundamental difference in my opinion, and a later model 49G+ (at a good price) is a good deal.

http://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/hpmuseum/archv017.cgi?read=111874

[Tim Wessman]

I wasn't with HP at the time and have heard nothing to confirm this, but I am almost certain it was so that after the several disasters on the 49g+ the customer would be able to know for certain that it was a unit without those problems.

TW

[Ed Look]

I have a 49g+ that I had to have exchanged by HP. This one is nice and works well, no real glitches nor hiccups I can think of, off hand.

As to the 50g, I guess one could call it an incremental improvement, even over the non-improved early 49g+ version, but to me, the increase in speed coupled with the ability to use a larger SD card and faster at that, is a major thing. I... and I'm sure others too... do not like waiting too long for a calculator (or computer or microwave, or subway train) to do it's thing, whether it's a calculation or searching for a file.

[bill platt]

And besides, the whole "+" thing is annoying, anyway.

It would be like naming the Porsche 911RSR the 911+.

Edited: 15 Mar 2010, 5:47 p.m.