HP-75 ad jpg

[Jim Horn]

Ah, the HP-75! I had the pleasure of using a prototype before they came out and bought one for myself as soon as they did. Considering that it was the cost of a serious portable workstation today ($3000+) after inflation, that wasn't easy. But its typeability, huge battery life and built-in functions were unmatched at the time.

It's "Pocket Secretary" time and appointment functions may have been the first of its kind. I remember noting that if now I were to set an appointment for the fifth Wednesday of February, it would immediately recognize that as being February 29th, 2040 (!). Not shabby for a machine of its day.

Of course, the HP-71 would appear a year later and, being smaller and in many ways more capable, pretty much blow the '75 away. But I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the '75 just as Joe does for the '71. Long life to both - and to their many fond users!