Cosmetic comparison of early HP 35s with recent HP35s

[Seth Morabito]

I finally opened the HP 35s that I received at HHC 2007. It's a very recent production unit, SN: CNA 73400663. It was made 13 weeks after my other HP 35s was produced, so I wanted to compare the two and see if there were any differences.

Both report having ROM version 1, so I don't think (nor did I expect) that there are any operational differences.

I do note that the printing is a bit clearer and bolder on the newer 35s. It's fairly noticeable on the yellow labels especially. They're more readable in my opinion.

The biggest change I notice is that the key click is definitely firmer on the new 35s. The old one has a softer click, like the 41C. The newer one has a very definite "click", more like a 12C's keys, or so it seems to my fingers.

Totally minor and insignificant changes, but somewhat interesting to a nosy fellow like me. (Also, apparently I have too much time on my hands, despite my workplace's best efforts)

Edited: 16 Oct 2007, 12:30 a.m.

[Matt Kernal]

The 35S I received at HHC2007 has a small blemish in the faceplate opening where the "blue shift" key protrudes.

Instead of there being a perfectly straight line along the bottom edge of the rectangular-shaped hole, there is a small radius of missing meterial about 3mm from the lower-left corner. The blemish appears as shiny metal in the otherwise black background color of the faceplate.

Pure speculation here, but I don't think it occurred during the stamping of the faceplace, but rather during the printing of the yellow/gold shifted nomenclature, when the faceplate may have been secured by some kind of misaligned metal pin as part of a locating fixture.

Obviously, I too have too much time on my hands - except for this pile of work here that won't go away ;-)

Edited: 16 Oct 2007, 2:17 p.m.

[Seth Morabito]

Ha! Mine does too, interesting! I didn't even notice it until you pointed it out. I dabbed it with a Sharpie and it's now gone.

[Dave Shaffer (Arizona)]

Mine (also from HHC2007) has the blemish, too.

[Brad Davis]

Quote:

---

...The biggest change I notice is that the key click is definitely firmer on the new 35s. The old one has a softer click, like the 41C. The newer one has a very definite "click", more like a 12C's keys, or so it seems to my fingers. ...

---

How does the new keyboard feel compare to the 50g? I had a 50g, but hated the stiff keys and then bought a 35s. I think its keys are absolutely perfect. If they made it stiff like the 50g, then they just made it worthless to me personally.

Mine has the number CNA 72102730. Is there any way to find out if I have one with the softer or firmer keys?

Edited: 16 Oct 2007, 7:03 p.m.

[Seth Morabito]

They're not anywhere as stiff as a 50g. I find the 50g keys far too stiff myself. I think the 35s keys are nearly perfect. The newer keys have the same tactile response and pressure required, just a bit more "click" to them, that's all.

[Brad Davis]

Thanks Seth. I was wondering if I needed to buy 3-4 of the older 35s really quick!

I'm beyond happy with mine. I've been using HPs for almost 20 years and I am faster with my 35s than all the others. I'm slowest and least accurate with my 50g (well, my former 50g) and my 33s and it's entirely because the keys are too stiff and travel too far. I don't program calculators, so speed and accuracy are top priority.

[John Wasilewski]

I like very much the HP35s keys and functionality.
---
John

[Stefan Vorkoetter]

Quote:

---

Both report having ROM version 1, so I don't think (nor did I expect) that there are any operational differences.

---

How do you get it to tell you the ROM version?

Stefan

[Seth Morabito]

Press C/ON and XEQ simultaneously to go into self-test mode. Then press the + key nine times to step through all the self-tests (pressing + will let you skip the keyboard test).

The top line should display "35S-OK", and one of the flag indicators should be set. Add 1 to the flag that is displayed, and that's the ROM revision. Mine displays the 0 flag indicator, so I have ROM version 1. Hopefully at some point in the future, we'll start seeing Flag 1 set, and a lot fewer bugs :)

When you're done, press C/ON + GTO to leave the self test mode.

Edited: 17 Oct 2007, 2:25 p.m.