The HP-55 Enigma

[John Garza (3665)]

And regarding the original post... I don't see an enigma there.

There was an obvious need for something between the capabilities of the 45 and the 65.
Not to mention the fact that many who wanted a 65 could not afford it.
Not many people walk around today with $5000 laptops - the equivalent of a 65 back then.

Technology advanced and we eventually got the 25. Large organizations have inertia. I'm sure the 25 was not yet a 'sure thing' when they started the 55 project - so it went forward. And even if it were, there was the decision of making some profit from an interim product vs. leaving that gap in the market unserved. Thank rapid technological advancement for the outcome, not bad business planning.

-J