It seems nobody likes the 97

[rprosperi]

(06-08-2023 12:43 PM)John Garza (3665) Wrote:  I've seen some complain about the larger size of the Topcats. They are not that large - especially considering the HP desk calculator line (9100 onwards), which are huge in comparison.

Maybe desks have shrunk in the 21st century?

So where does that leave the HP desk calculators? Are they all relegated to storage? If so, why do their prices remain high? Certainly not as an investment - better returns are available elsewhere in more commonly known items. Is it some sort of psychological 'collector drive' where people hoard these things like squirrels collecting nuts for winter? As for me, I like to take them out and play with them. I derive no value in having machines in storage - other than backups. I get no thrill from 'bragging rights' about having such and such machine in storage.

The psychology of collecting... might be worth some research.

-j

I think one strong factor is that 'back in the day' many (most?) of us old farts that were around the HP-97 was being promoted and sold, we all longed to own one, but it was just too expensive for most people. Plenty bought a 67 instead, but still pined for the large LED display, very comfortable well laid-out keyboard and of course the printer.

Many then went on the 41 and then 48's, etc. etc. But in truth the latent desire for the king of early HP machines never went away fully, and so we're getting them now that they're "onlY" $300-400.

One sits near me now, and though I only use it rarely, I do appreciate it just being there ready to go.

Indeed, the psychology of collecting would be an interesting topic, but like the psychology of nearly everything, most readers conclude "yes, that explains most people, but not me".