Why are the HP Prime and HP-35s so unpopular?

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

(01-24-2021 09:31 AM)Garth Wilson Wrote:  I also don't want a proprietary battery that may not be available when it needs replacement years or decades down the road. I wish my 41 (which I use every day) used AAA cells like my 71 does; but at least the N cells are still available, even now after 40 years, even if not as cheap as AAA's.

I would say that the N cells of the HP-41 were then and are now much rarer than the Lithium battery of the Prime. The latter is used in many mobile phones and (probably) manufactured in much larger numbers than N cells ever were. And rechargeable N cells have always been quite rare.

I started my calculator life 1975 or 1976 first with a green VFD model followed by a red LED calculator. Both would last between 5 and 10 hours on a fully charged battery pack. Therefore it became natural to me to keep an eye on the charging state of the batteries, especially before an exam or similar event where recharging halfway through was not possible. Just like one refuels one's car before setting off for a long trip early in the morning or late at night. Also, because my first calculators were rechargeable, the idea of powering a calculator (or any other battery hungry device) from disposable batteries just disgusts me to a point of not using that device. I am very much with Greta on these issues.

Regards
Max