Hello everyone!
I have gone a bit 28S crazy lately, I know own three of them; two are US-built units from 1989 and early 1990, and the third is a Singapore unit from late-1990 (those were the good ol' days when we didn't look at asian-built units with such disdain...I doubt anyone would call a Chinese 12C a marvel of modern manufacturing!)
I have noticed an interesting difference in the screens between the units; where the US-built units have perfectly clear (almost reflective) screens, the newer, Singapore calc has a slightly opaque one. This was a huge improvement IMHO because you can use the calc at your desk without the screen reflecting (oh let's be honest...burning!) an image of your desk lamp's bulb on to your retina!!!
This observation caused a flurry of questions to run through my head. Was this difference simply because of the country of manufacture, or was it an actual production improvement made globally at a given point in time? Are the screens different, or is this simply some sort of cover? Are there any other differences of note?
Any insights would be greatly appreciated! I know that I'm in the minority when I say this, but I love clamshells! Yes, I know...when you're out in the field they're about as easy to use as an 18-foot slide rule, but I'm never in the field...I'm a project manager!
Now I'd like to switch gears a bit and walk down memory lane...I remember when the 28S was first introduced...I was spellbound and in many ways I still am. Unfortunately, those days of running to the campus bookstore when a new HP is launched are long gone...I'm afraid that irreparable harm has been done to the calculator division. The fatal mistake? Letting marketers decide product lines. It's like letting interior decorators author building blueprints and dictate building codes!!
My comment wasn't meant to slight interior decorators; it's meant to prove a point. Everyone plays a role in product design and launch, but if you give a marketer an inch, they'll take 50 miles. They think they know the business better than anyone, and in this case, HP decided to lie down and play dead.
Instead of being full of features that we'd all like to see, HP's new "line" of calculators will probably have pleasant colour schemes, ergonomic designs, and will be targetted at that ever-so-important teen and "tween" demographic. Don't be surprised if you see HP calculator commercials during American Idol and the Simpsons!
What about quality you ask? Well, I'm sure the spin doctors at HP have held focus groups on that. Who knows...maybe it's cool to have a calculator where the "OFF" button doesn't work, or you need to really press hard on the "4" key to get it to register...
The times, they are a changin'
(and yes, I'm done my rant!)
B.