DM32 from Swiss Micros

[jonmoore]

(05-17-2023 06:16 AM)FLISZT Wrote:  Of course, the DM32 has a new hardware architecture (160 MHz processor, etc.)... but is this the reason for the high price of the DM32 (versus the capabilities of the 41X/42)?

Is the DM41X/42 processor at the end of its availability?
If so, then the price of the DM41X and DM42 could increase significantly.

Whilst the DM32 has the new low power Cortex M33 processor, I did notice the careful wording of "at max" 160 MHz. I'd love to know what speed the processor runs at when optimized for low power (typical everyday use).

Given that the core market for both the HP32 S/Sii was students (that didn't require the significantly more powerful HP-42s), the pricing does seem strange, to say the least.

To make sure my memory wasn't playing tricks I checked the pricing of the 42 vs the 32 in the Educalc catalog of spring 91. This seemed like a good point in time seeing as the 48 wasn't as yet available (but the 28S was), and the advertising at that point in time showed a healthy difference between the street and list pricing.

Long story short, the 42S list price was $120 and the 32Sii was $70. That's an approximate 42% discount for the 32Sii over the 42S. The street price was significantly less in both cases, as can be seen in the advertisements but the pricing difference between the models was still close to 40%.

The most telling aspect of the advertising for me was that the 32 had a mixed fraction on it's display, which alluded to high school curriculum capabilities.

I own both a HP-32S and HP-32Sii, but had convinced myself that I'd purchase a DM32, but only if it were priced appropriately. CHF: 249 is far too high a price for the calculators capabilities when compared to the DM42 and DM41X. The whole point of the HP-32II was that it most often appealed to those that where less interested in exhaustive programming features, but rather were looking for a simple yet powerful calculator where the vast majority of functions were available without menu diving.

I'm fully aware of the hardware advantages offered by the DM32, but as I understand things, the hardware platform will eventually power all SwissMicros premium models. This makes economic sense as a single hardware platform for a low volume product will often be more profitable than attempting to source separate components for a range of similar products. HP wrote the book regarding this supply chain strategy (but quite obviously with far higher sales volumes).

Marketing 101 says you should derive your pricing strategy based on market drivers, rather than own supply chain needs.

Ultimately, the market will decide if CHF: 249 is too high for a student calculator. But at this price, it appears that SwissMicros have already decided that the DM32 is a niche product that will mainly appeal to nostalgic collectors willing to pay a premium.