Perfect calculator based on WP34S

[Lonewolf]

(05-26-2018 08:43 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  _____________________________________________

It's a nice idea, but some key questions first....

A. Do you think Kinpo would realistically agree to manufacture a total of at most a few hundred units?

I say that because the 34S follow-on project, the 43S, is already well into planning (some years now) based on using the same hardware as SwissMicros uses for their DM42, with a huge LCD, lots of memory, excellent keyboard, etc.

Changing gears to a somewhat improved case/kbd for the current 34S design seems to be less ambitious and so I would expect most current 34S users would lean more towards the planned 43S, since it offers more.

Which is not to say there isn't interest, I think an improved 34S would appeal to some folks (more memory and better LCD and keyboard would help a lot) but I'm not sure there are enough to justify a new, dedicated hardware design.

B. What would you guestimate the cost of this new machine to be, assuming some s/w is developed by the community (so no s/w cost)?

Keep in mind the 20b and 30b machines could be purchased for as little as $20-$50, which is one reason (IMHO) that many of them were sold/made.

Of course the overlays, USB and IR enhancements added to the basic cost, but I'd guess probably less than 100 of those (usb) were made, probably more IR.

C. What software team were you thinking of? The 43S is not making much progress (absolutely no criticism meant here) because the prior developers have lives and jobs now taking most of their time; I certainly can't speak for them, but it seems unlikely they'd consider 2 projects.

I'd say you should research the latest planning for the 43S, and after understanding that, it may (or may not) seem less feasible.

In any case, if you do proceed and ultimately make one, I'll almost certainly buy one, so please don't take this as all negative.

rprosperi, I like your detailed response to Everette's "Perfect calculator based on WP34S." ... unlike some, I happen to like the original HP30b calculator design as it's been re-purposed for the WP 31s and 34s. I don't have one yet.

I was intrigued by the hypothetical HP 43s design; I love the mechanical layout, especially its very neatly-place four scrolling arrows, a terrific design. Everything on it looks quintessentially HP as it really should. But hypothetically, should the HP 43s be rolled-out by the people designing it, would it be badged with the HP logo?

Regarding the stiffness of the DM42's keys that many are experiencing which causes a bending of the case (and one mentions he doesn't even use it as he intended) --hypothetically, if, on a long-haul interplanetary mission to Mars that took place today I would think the astronauts would use their DM42 with both hands anyway since flat table space inside a Mars command module would probably be nonexistent.

But I'm wondering if using both hands operating the DM42 is cumbersome(?)
/Regards