WP34s - Just received

[larthurl]

I just received my new 34S. After spending some time with it I have a few comments

- impressed with the speed. Probably the fastest calculator I own (so far)
- weight - this machine feels so light, like it's not substantial. I know what model it is based on, but I wasn't prepared for something that didn't have the usual HP quality/feeling
- on a related note, the keys just don't feel all that good when pressed. Nowhere near the quality feel of the Voyager series or even the 32s/42s. Somewhat disappointed - maybe it just costs too much to make a quality calculator anymore. Too bad since HP was always know for their quality products

Will continue to explore and use the new machine. I think technically, it's quite an achievement.

[jebem]

Is it based on the 20B or on the 30B?

I have flashed both HP models and i prefer the cheapet 20B because it has better cosmetics (all black case) and i find the keyboard more reliable than the one from the 30B.

[Massimo Gnerucci]

BTW, it's a WP 34s, not HP... ;)

[Nigel (UK)]

I used my first WP34S extensively for (I think) three years; one of the keys then became unreliable. I'm lucky enough to have my own flashing cable (also used extensively!) so I've flashed some more. The new ones are still working fine; even if you don't like the feel of the keyboard, it is moderately reliable.

Nigel (UK)

[Tugdual]

The hardware is indeed not excellent and the iOS version definitely deserves attention.

[salvomic]

(11-30-2017 10:53 AM)Tugdual Wrote:  The hardware is indeed not excellent and the iOS version definitely deserves attention.

The iOS version received an upgrade just today!

Salvo

[larthurl]

(11-29-2017 07:23 PM)jebem Wrote:  Is it based on the 20B or on the 30B?

I have flashed both HP models and i prefer the cheapet 20B because it has better cosmetics (all black case) and i find the keyboard more reliable than the one from the 30B.

30B

[larthurl]

(11-30-2017 08:39 AM)Massimo Gnerucci Wrote:  BTW, it's a WP 34s, not HP...

I stand corrected

[rprosperi]

(11-30-2017 03:15 PM)larthurl Wrote:  

(11-29-2017 07:23 PM)jebem Wrote:  Is it based on the 20B or on the 30B?

I have flashed both HP models and i prefer the cheapet 20B because it has better cosmetics (all black case) and i find the keyboard more reliable than the one from the 30B.

30B

Both the 20b and 30b have abysmal keyboards. In general, the 30b keyboard is improved over the 20b design, but as you see above, there are some examples of 20b that are better than other 30b units. So, yeah, they stink, and together with the weird/poor LCD, have IMHO prevented the WP-34S from getting the wider use and recognition it deserves.

I have a WP-34S, WP-31S, 2 x HP-30b and an HP-20b, and I basically can't use any of them as the keyboards are so unreliable I have to watch every keystroke to see if it registers. Others have reported key-bounce issues (registering more than once) but I have not had that experience with my units.

[jebem]

(11-30-2017 07:03 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  I have to watch every keystroke to see if it registers. Others have reported key-bounce issues (registering more than once) but I have not had that experience with my units.

Yap, very sad outcome for HP on these two models.

My HP-30B items don't exhibit the key-bouncing issue, they just don't register at all, no matter how had i press the failing keys, despite the clicking action being the same as for the working ones.
On one of them, if i press really hard, then the key is registered.
I guess this was bad choice of key domes materials and probably manufacturing contamination, resulting in early metal oxidation (just guessing here, but this is a common cause for key register failing on other systems I worked with).

That said, and case cosmetics apart (I don't like this case irregular format), the case plastics seems to be of very good quality, it resists several disassembly/assembly procedures without getting dented or broken. And the electronics inside is on par with what is done on similar systems, nothing to write home about, though.