TAS question - why does this HP model show up so often ?

[rprosperi]

I agree with Bob's comments; in particular adding programmability must have led many 80, 70, and 22 owners to upgrade (not so many 27 owners - you know why) immediately. The 12C appearing not too many years later, with it's smaller size, LONG battery life (anything is long compared to a Spice, the Voyagers lasted years!) and sexy new horizontal format brought about another huge upgrade wave, leaving large numbers of 38E/C machines left aside with relatively low mileage.

Also, while engineering machines continued to evolve and add dramatically more powerful features leading to constant upgrades, the financial line was not expanded significantly in terms of capabilities (except for the Solver in the 17B line) so no need to upgrade to a better machine.

It is impressive though how many have survived in working order given how fragile and susceptible to battery leakage damage the Spice models are.

What's your take Gene?