NEW: HP 15C Collectors Edition

[Peter Ketcham]

As expected, I recently placed an order for two 15c CE units from Royal Consumer Information Products at their HP Office Supply website (hpofficesupply.com). Here is a summary of my experience.

I placed my order for two 15c CE units on Fri 23 Aug 2024 and paid $129.99 for each unit. I selected free shipping via FedEx Ground Home Delivery to my location in Wisconsin US. The ordering process was smooth and the website seemed a little better compared to the order I placed on 07 Nov 2023.

My order arrived on Thu 29 Aug 2024. As anticipated, both units are from lot 9CJ351 with serial numbers 12991 and 12994. Both units have protective film covering the bezel area. The units were carefully packaged and neither the presentation box nor the shipping box showed signs of damage.

Unfortunately, despite the protective film, both units have damaged bezels. The damage is quite different in character than the damage on the units I received in Nov 2023 from lot 9CJ323. With these two units from lot 9CJ351, the damage is on either the right or left side of the bezel and appears to be from something mechanical that is pressing hard on the bezel. It is clear that the damage is taking place *after* application of the protective film. I concluded this because the protective film has imprints identical to the damage on the bezel directly under the protective film. The imprints look like they might be from some sort of mechanical clip that is holding the calculator and placing it in the presentation box, but that is just a guess. I can post some photos if there is interest.

When I first found out about the 15c CE in 2023, I was very excited and intended to purchase six units: three units for myself and three units as future gifts. I have now purchased four units (two from lot 9CJ323 and two from lot 9CJ351) and all four have damaged bezels of some sort. I want to support this project of bringing back the HP 15c, so I am keeping all four units. After all, the damage is only cosmetic and doesn't affect functionality. But I admit I am a bit disappointed since these calculators are beautifully produced and otherwise flawless in appearance.