How would a new HP 15c+ affect 15c market value?

[megarat]

Hey all,

I'm curious to hear your thoughts: if HP released a shiny new 15c+ calculator (akin to the 12c+, as repeatedly requested/fantasized about here), how do you think it would it affect the market value of the original 15c?

I think it's interesting that the original (pre-1990) 12c -- in spite of better construction quality and (probably) battery life -- only goes for $40 or so on eBay, unlike its no-longer-extant cousins. I suspect this has to do with the fact that the 12c never went out of production, so it never really achieved collector's status, as it's been there all along. Even though it got slowly downgraded in terms of production quality and experienced minor stepwise changes in engineering (e.g., different batteries, now a different CPU), people, even collectors, regard them as equivalent.

But what about the 15c?

My own opinion: I suppose it would have a lot to do with the quality of the finished product, but I still have a difficult time seeing how even a well-made, feature-for-feature 15c tribute, even with a faster CPU and more memory, would negatively affect the original 15c's current market value. In fact, the release of such a calculator might even (temporarily?) raise the original's market value, as its release would get the original back into the public eye and renew/ignite their interest in obtaining one.

I'm curious to hear what others think.

[bill platt]

I think it would lower it. The 33s and 35s definitely put a damper on 32sii prices.

[Michael de Estrada]

I think this is a purely speculative question. Despite all the ruminations on this forum, the HP-15c+ seems unlikely.

[Katie Wasserman]

I love rehashing speculations on the 15C+! I'd vote for a decrease in the original 15C values since a 15C+ would run 150 times faster and that would much more than make up for an lower quality issues that might exist.

However, I have to say that the quality on the 12C+ is really excellent. Key clicks are superb, maybe even better than the original and the display seems to have more contrast too. The only thing to nit pick about is the plastic used to make the keys, it's not quite as dense as the original 12C used and the lettering appears to not be molded in.

-katie

[DaveJ]

Quote:

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I love rehashing speculations on the 15C+! I'd vote for a decrease in the original 15C values since a 15C+ would run 150 times faster and that would much more than make up for an lower quality issues that might exist.

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At the expense of battery life.

Forget the battery life that the old 15C got, that is history.

I think a new one that's essentially identical could do nothing but drop the price of the originals.

Many still buy the old 15C to actually use it, and that market would surely vanish overnight.

Dave.

[John Stark]

Dear Katie:

Quote:
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However, I have to say that the quality on the 12C+ is really excellent. Key clicks are superb, maybe even better than the original and the display seems to have more contrast too. The only thing to nit pick about is the plastic used to make the keys, it's not quite as dense as the original 12C used and the lettering appears to not be molded in.

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My sentiments exactly. I recently obtained a current 12.C after keen disappointment with a 30.B so-called "Professional".

General "feel" and "aura" of this unit closest I've seen to vintage HP gear in modern series.

Anyway, this is what I now have in my nassty little pockettses.

Does what I need with considerable 1980s Gordon Gekko retro chic :).

John Stark