About DM32

[jonmoore]

If you're an RPN diehard, the 42S (DM42) is the pinnacle of HP's RPN calculators and the 28/48/49/50 line of calculators was the point where HP went into a long and slow decline brought about by RPL! Me, I love RPL, but I won't digress other than to see bring on the DM48...

I personally love the Frankenstein's 'monster' of Plus42, but would agree that the extra options are just that - extra. One can choose to ignore them and get a pure-ish 42S experience (the -ish is strictly with regard to the original code Thomas uses, in preference to Free/Plus42 being a true emulator). Emu48 provides the emulator option if you have the firmware image. But I'll take Plus42 over Emu48's 42S experience on most given days.

Regarding the 32Sii, I always saw it as an upgrade to the 11c, but seeing as there was no true upgrade to the 15c, many consider it to be a 'warts and all' sequel to the 15c too. My view is probably colored by the fact that I was a secondary school student when the 11/15c calculators were on the market and I barely convinced my mother to purchase an 11c for me. The 15c and 41 line of calculators were most definitely out of reach luxuries I could only dream of owning (she also forked out on a BBC Model B computer for me around the same time so I was super grateful for what I got).

With regards to the positioning of the 32Sii back in the day, my favorite aspects of Educalc's advert promoting the 32Sii was the line "New Algebratized Model", and "Modern vertical design with the Sleek Efficiency of a New German Car". Beyond the crimes against the 'code of copywriters' rule-book, you can see which side the Educalc folk buttered their bread quite clearly when it came to positioning the 32Sii. Add to that, "Algebraic HP Solve", "Algebraic Equation Entry" and "HP EQUATION SOLVER - solutions without programming" - they definitely had a particular customer segment in mind, vs the typical potential customer for the 42S (41 customers who could easily forgive HP for the lack of IO and expansion options in the 42s).

Coming back to the DM32. I simply can't see why I would pay a premium for a student calculator when I already own both a 32S and 32Sii. Sure, the DM32, 32Sii simulation is running on excellent hardware, But with a student calculator whose main characteristic benefits were based around convenience, I don't really care about the maximum speed of the processor. On the rare occasions I pick up a 32, it tends to be the 32S as I appreciate the simple elegance of the face-plate, and I'm literally wanting a simple calculator for nothing more than e.g. doing a few sums whilst DIY-ing or suchlike.

At CHF: 149 I probably would have purchased a DM32. Not that I need it, but I appreciate that SwissMicros are producing these esoteric calculators for a relatively small universe of potential customers.

I actually believe that SwissMicros might have had a sleeper cross-over hit with the DM32, as it's a perfect entry level RPN calculator; and one that's relevant to a contemporary students needs. The nearest modern calculator that matches the DM32 is the Casio fx-991EX (UK Model), but the Casio can do far more from a built in functions perspective, for 1/5th of theDM32 list price. However, the Casio is missing three critical aspect of the DM32, it doesn't have a functional stack, it isn't RPN and it isn't programmable. An IB or A-level student (16-18) won't be able to use a DM32 in exams but they would be able to use it in the classroom - it might even deepen their relationship with their Mathematics teacher. But I can't see a current student wanting to shell out fives times the cost, for the DM32. Not when the HP Prime is available for at least $100 less. But, at the right price, the DM32 could easily be the iconoclastic calculator choice, for the student that realizes it's mix of RPN and Algebraic options provides them with more accessible firepower than the Prime or Casio (and having a standout calculator means a lot to the average 16-18 year-old, if my kids are anything to go by).