If I were to buy an LED model...

[Dave Britten]

Right now the oldest HP I have is my 41CV, but I've been entertaining the idea of buying an older LED model just for kicks. I'm looking for recommendations on which would be the best to look out for in terms of affordability, durability, and ease of fitting modern batteries (like a couple AA Eneloops).

I don't have an attachment to any particular model, since they're all a little before my time, and I find scientific and financial models equally appealing. I would like something programmable - even the basic capabilities of the 25 would do just fine - though the jack-of-all-trades 27 does intrigue me too.

I don't feel any need to pay top-dollar for a card reader or printing model and get it working, but if one fell into my lap really cheap, I wouldn't say no of course.

My suspicion is that the 38E/C or 33E/C would be the two closest matches that wouldn't cost hundreds, but if there's a better option, I'm all ears.