Finally bought an HP-41

[HP67]

(09-02-2020 11:21 PM)codex99 Wrote:  So after 30 or so years I finally bought my first HP 41

Here's a story:

After I got my first job I decided to buy an HP calculator to program some pharmacokinetic calculations. I went to a store called Service Merchandise (remember them?) and bought a brand new 48SX. I remember at the time, 1992, that they were clearancing their remaining 41CX's for something like 79.99, but, of course I wanted the new fancy calculator.

To be fair I love my 48SX. I still have it and still use it, but in the back of my mind I always wish I had bought one of those clearanced 41s (and looking at Ebay now, I wish I had bought all of them).

So a few weeks ago I bought a rebuilt halfnut 41CX and card reader. After playing with it I have to say this thing is an absolute joy to use. I have a lot to learn about the differences between the RPL 48 and the 41, but so far it has been fun.

Anyway, my kids are less than impressed with my new calculator, but I thought you guys would appreciate my story. I'm also interested in your stories about getting your favorite HP calculator.

I bought my first HP, an HP 67 in 1981 for 450 dollars. At the time, the 41 was new and the guy at the shop pushed me to buy it instead of the 67. I wasn't having any of that new fangled LCD stuff, it looked crazy and while the 67 was a reassuring brick of a calculator (and to my eye one of the most beautiful HPs ever made) the 41 was light and just too modern. If I recall the price of the 41 (not sure what model but I think it was the C) was the same as the 67 I bought at that time.

I didn't have a 41 for almost another 40 years. I agree they're fun calculators. But I still love the 48GX more than the rest, even though the color scheme is ugly as sin. The only uglier one is probably the HP 50g blue

Great stuff, enjoy!