HP 15c Limited Edition

[Bicurico]

Cool!

That is the second "Special Edition" HP 15c.

Hopefully I get one this time...

I own an original HP 11c and a new implementation of the HP 12c.

The HP 15c is a pretty cool calculator, indeed.

Apparently this series of calculators is so beautiful, because the height/width ratio uses the golden ratio (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio).

Regards,
Vitor

[TimFox]

Swiss Micros  https://www.swissmicros.com/products   has two versions that emulate the original -hp- 15C.
The smaller one (credit-card size) is their "DM15"
The larger one (similar size to the original) is their "DM15L"
Reviews:  https://jepspectro.com/htm/dm15.htm

[Sal Ammoniac]

I've never cared much for the landscape HP calculators. Too hard to hold in hand while using. I much prefer the portrait format.

[TimFox]

SwissMicros has two portrait-format units, the DM41X and DM42.
See link above for their product line.

[ebastler]

Reissued again!!!
HP15C Collector's Edition
www.thecalculatorstore.com

It must be darn expensive to print those trigonometric function names onto the key caps. Makes the 15C nearly twice as expensive as the 12C from the same company. 

By the way, these are no longer made by HP, but by Czech company Moravia under a brand license. Maybe that's why the calculators no longer bear the "Hewlett Packard" name in the lower left, but only the HP logo in the upper right? https://hpcalcs.com/product/hp-15c-collectors-edition/

What I like better in these replicas vs. the SwissMicros is the shape of the keys. These seem to have the proper prism/wedge shape, while SwissMicros uses flat keys throughout to my knowledge.

[TimFox]

My relatively new Swiss DM41X has flat keys, but they are a good size.
The key-key pitch on the keyboard equals that of my old -hp- 11C.
Without a prismatic keytop, the blue functions are on the panel for the Swiss DM41X.
Both the original -hp- and the Swiss have the yellow functions on the panel.

[Benta]

If someone buys one, please report back on the feel of the keys (tactile). That was always the outstanding point on the original HPs.

[Bicurico]

It seems shipping will start only at the end of June.

Also, no info on the number of units being manufactured - probably to increase pre-sales, that helps pay the investment. If this is a big, continuous run (as opposed to the LE with only 10.000 units), then I would just wait and buy it later.

I was very excited earlier today, but now I am not so much anymore...

Here is why:

1) Already got an HP 11c
2) 129 Euro is a lot of money for a calculator that is kind of limited in functionality (still better than the SwissMicro DM15)
3) Will they relaunch a Colector's Edition of the HP 42? I would prefer that one...

But then, the HP calculator that marked my life was the HP 48GX. I still have it, but it is broken. Got me a working HP48G, but I don't enjoy it, because it is not the GX.
I have the 50G, but it is a bit different from the 48GX and does not feel as cool.

So perhaps THE BEST HP to revive would be the HP 48GX?

And at the end of my own reasoning: nah... I already got too many calculators and I barely use them. And when I use them, it is for adding some numbers.

And yet, I still would like to have an HP 15c... 

[aeberbach]

I have a 48GX, a G2 Prime, 3 35S (two unopened)... from Swissmicros I have a DM16L and a DM42. Of course I need this!

The only thing that worries me is modern HP. Will it be DRM-enabled and brick itself if I replace the batteries with Duracell?

[Benta]

1) Already got an HP 11c
2) 129 Euro is a lot of money for a calculator that is kind of limited in functionality (still better than the SwissMicro DM15)

re1: which is nice, but for an EE missing the kick: complex number maths.
re2: original HP-15C in good condition are around 300 Euro today. HP-12C you can get on every street corner (you know, the brown-nosing bank apprentice's version. Also available in silver  ).

[HighVoltage]

I have and use my original HP15C every day.
When the LE was released, I was lucky to get one and it is still in its original box.

These calculators are very special and the "feel" of it is just perfect.
Hopefully the new edition will be as good.

[HighVoltage]

I have pre-orderd one of the Collectors Edition.

By the way, these are no longer made by HP, but by Czech company Moravia under a brand license. Maybe that's why the calculators no longer bear the "Hewlett Packard" name in the lower left, but only the HP logo in the upper right?

Maybe another explanation is that the official company name no longer is "Hewlett Packard" but instead "HP"

[pdenisowski]

Swiss Micros  https://www.swissmicros.com/products   has two versions that emulate the original -hp- 15C.
The smaller one (credit-card size) is their "DM15"
The larger one (similar size to the original) is their "DM15L"

I have one and really like it

[pdenisowski]

Someone in this Reddit thread

https://www.reddit.com/r/calculators/comments/135jz5n/comment/jim9e6z/

Says the keys will be painted, not injection molded.

That said, just reserved a unit

[ebastler]

Maybe another explanation is that the official company name no longer is "Hewlett Packard" but instead "HP"

Ah, right -- assuming that the pocket calculator licensing rights staid with the laptop/printer company (HP), not the server company (Hewlett Packard Enterprise). Which sounds like a reasonable assumption.

(Looks like the servers no longer have the "hp" logo, conversely. Brave new world...)

[ebastler]

[...] the keys will be painted, not injection molded.

Well, as the product name states, this 15C is meant to be collected, not used. 

[pdenisowski]

Well, as the product name states, this 15C is meant to be collected, not used. 

Interesting (and probably valid ) observation, but I would definitely use mine.  My SwissMicros clone has held up very well to daily use and travel, and I would expect a "genuine" HP15c ...even a "collector's edition" ... to do the same.

[pdenisowski]

What I like better in these replicas vs. the SwissMicros is the shape of the keys. These seem to have the proper prism/wedge shape, while SwissMicros uses flat keys throughout to my knowledge.

The SwissMicros keys are beveled - see attached

[pdenisowski]

But then, the HP calculator that marked my life was the HP 48GX.

I spent a month's worth of food money to buy an HP48G in graduate school.  Lost some weight, but it was worth it

[Bicurico]

But then, the HP calculator that marked my life was the HP 48GX.

I spent a month's worth of food money to buy an HP48G in graduate school.  Lost some weight, but it was worth it

Was kind of the same with me. Saved up a whole year of pocket money to buy the HP 48GX on my summer holidays in Germany. In Portugal this machine was not available.
I purchased a software collection, too. It came on 3.5" HD MS-Disks, which my Amiga 500 could not read, so I spent quite some time at my friend's home converting to low density disks... I discovered that most cool programs would not run on the GX because they way made for the SX.

Still it was (is) a great machine. I became an "A" student thanks to this calculator. I programmed all kind of exercises to automate whatever came up in exams. One example was the SIMPLEX algorithm. While others failed to get the right result due to numerous calculation errors when dealing with the matrix, I had my own software that would print each step: I just had to copy the results to the exam. Don't consider that cheating, because I developed the software myself as a form of studying the subject. Had this approach on many courses. Helped me to stay interested in the otherwise boring subjects, while getting the exercises 100% right... Good old times.

It is kind of sad that you face so many math problems during University and then, when you start to actually work, Excel is often more than enough...

Sometimes I just use a CAD software to calculate the intersection point of to curves or whatever. Why calculate manually?

Yesterday, my students pointed me to this site: https://www.integral-calculator.com/

It is free and helps with integrals in a mind blowing way (compared to what I had available in the 80ies/90ies).

Still wondering if I will shell out 129 Euro or not...

[TimFox]

What I like better in these replicas vs. the SwissMicros is the shape of the keys. These seem to have the proper prism/wedge shape, while SwissMicros uses flat keys throughout to my knowledge.

The SwissMicros keys are beveled - see attached

Looking again at my Swiss DM41X, I see that the keys are beveled, with inclined tops, but only have one number/symbol on each key as opposed to my -hp- 11C with two symbols on each key.
The 11C key has a flat top and a bevel towards the bottom edge with a second symbol.

[Benta]

The SwissMicros keys are beveled - see attached

Your picture looks nothing like an original HP-15C. Those SwissMicro keys look really cheap.
Here's an original 80s HP-15C (picture not as nice as yours, I'm a lousy photographer):

[Benta]

I have pre-orderd one of the Collectors Edition.

Being owner of an original HP-15C, you're in a perfect position to write a critique and compare the two. I look very much forward to it when you receive the new CE.
TIA.

[pdenisowski]

Your picture looks nothing like an original HP-15C. Those SwissMicro keys look really cheap.
Here's an original 80s HP-15C (picture not as nice as yours, I'm a lousy photographer):

Oh, I agree completely that the original HP15C feels much nicer, but when mine finally gave up the ghost, even a used replacement cost more than a new SwissMicros.  Now that I’m not in school anymore and not punching the keys 1000s of times a day, the SwissMicros has been more than sufficiently durable for my needs.   

I preordered one of the “new” HP15s and would be happy to do a side by side when I get it. 

[Benta]

I preordered one of the “new” HP15s and would be happy to do a side by side when I get it.

I look forward to that.