The programmable calculator the HP-30b should have been

[Tim Wessman]

(09-08-2014 04:47 PM)Joseph_21sv Wrote:  But don’t you agree that the 30b smacks more of programmable calculator firmware for the 20b than a calculator of its own?

Of course it is the same as a 20b. The difference between them was a better keyboard, higher quality ID, and some additional functionality. Why would it need to be "totally different" in order to be considered a separate calculator?

The code base is identical, as a simple switch would allow you to build one or the other.

The overlay was because that printed top surface piece needed a very, very long lead time and programming wasn't yet complete. It has nothing to do with "slapping it together" and everything to do with lead times, supply chain, and development times.