HP-50gII Discussion (split from 15c CE thread)

[johnb]

(08-30-2023 04:09 PM)LinusSch Wrote:  

(08-30-2023 12:46 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  And I think the calculator is not old enough yet for a "collector's edition". Maybe in twenty years.

A 50gii isn't really of interest to a collector, I guess. I'm no collector.
[...]
But every time the topic is even hinted at there are quite a few of us who really really want it. Not for collection reasons, but for practical use, for fear of our originals biting the dust and not being able to replace them. Few tools can reach the level of irreplaceability that the calculator that took you through engineering school has - and if it was an RPL calculator, doubly so, it seems.

Well, I guess my perspective is a slightly weird one, even amongst this crowd. (!!) I consider myself a collector even though I only own a couple dozen machines. But I believe the best way to enjoy my collection is to actually use most of them. So I really really want an HP-50gII. My reasoning is: (1) of the "daily drivers" I have scattered around my desk, I reach for the 48g quite often, though I do love my Voyagers and the 32sII; (2) there are things in our code library that will run on a 50g, not a 48g; (3) getting a good 50g is proving difficult, and will be a bit expensive (for me); (4) I've held a 50g and i hate the keys on it! (5) I love the feel of the keys (and the layout) of the 48g.

Add all of that together, and it means that getting a 50gII is a top priority for me.

--johnb


PS: None of these models got me through any engineering schools. I was "the poor kid" (and later, the cash-strapped newlywed), so I didn't even own an HP. For me, owning and using them now is like the guy who lusted after his friends' Corvette / Mustang / Trans Am / whatever, and now that he's middle-aged and can afford it, he drives his every chance he gets. (LOL!)

PPS: Maximilian, if it's too soon for a "collector's edition" then don't call it a collector's edition. Just call it the HP-50gII if HP builds it, or the DM-50gII if SwissMicros builds it. Just put me down for a pre-order of two, please!