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The HP-15C programmable calculator is great for someone like me to have. I am a retired engineer who used slide rule in final exams in 1972 at which time electronic hand-held calculators (not even programmable) were not available. Even if they were available, one might not be able to afford buying them. Now I have a bit of spare money, I can go back to see what I have missed. These electronic calculators, programmable or not, are great to have if you know and are familiar with the fundamental principles of the physics and the maths of the engineering problem(s) being solved. I would recommend buying more than one model and one brand of electronic calculators because two different models and brands of electronic calculators "can" give you different answers (in magnitude of the order of 30,000) to the same identical problem. This has been reported in some discussion(s) in Internet.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Why HP quit making these is beyond reason. It is one of the many dumb things management has done since Bill & Dave, but since HP once made excellent products like this they will be around for many more decades. This calculator will do everything needed to get through engineering or technical school, most math classes, and is all I used in about 30 years of radio engineering. I lost my original in a recent move so I decided to replace it. The one I bought was not 100% cosmetically, but knowing the quality of the ones made in the USA I bought one. It works just as good as my original from the early 80s. As the years progressed HP had these made off shore, and as best I know the quality of the keys was the issue with those non-USA products. I do have other calculators, but this one fits my pocket. My old one was my constant companion as its replacement will be. Batteries last for ever in these (unlike many modern ones, especially graphing, but that is a different product all together) . As far as RPN, don't fear. It is super easy to learn and once you learn it you won't want to go back to the old algebraic calculators. RPN is much faster and easier to make entries. So if you are looking for a great calculator the HP15C is a great calculator. The biggest disadvantage of these are the prices since they are no longer made. Being the great calculators they are it drives up the price, and as the pool of good working used ones for sale dries up, the prices will only continue to rise.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Despite the fact it was introduced in the early 80's, it is still a great calculator for everyday use by people working in technical fields. It is a perfect combination of feature set, form factor (small, thin, lightweight), and build quality. The feature set is comprehensive covering common (and uncommon) scientific functions as well as the ability to handle matrices, complex numbers and is programmable with continuous memory for programs. It doesn't graph but given it's age, that's understandable and frankly, a laptop/desktop is probably more appropriate for that kind of use. The display is very legible with a high contrast numerical LCD and the battery life if measured in years (using silver oxide batteries). Hewlett Packard's experience with expensive test instruments is evident in the build quality of the calculator - the tactile feedback and reliability of the keys is such that you don't need to watch the display to ensure the keystrokes registered properly. Plus, the characters and numbers on top of the keys are molded through the key (double shot injection molding) so that they will never wear away with use - it's pretty safe to say these construction techniques will never be used again in current calculators, whether by HP or any other company. Current practice is painted characters... Cons - it uses a input system known as RPN (reverse polish notation) that is very efficient with intermediate results clearly visible but this system is not very popular anymore. On a positive note, no one will know how to use it so it's kind of a theft deterrent feature! In summary, this calculator has taken me through undergraduate and graduate studies, a stint in the tropics with the Peace Corps, and is still my calculator of choice for everyday use as an practicing engineer. I really can't ask for much more and would be completely lost without it. With the recent purchase of a spare (used) HP15C, I should be covered for my lifetime!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes
HP's original 15c calculator from the '80s was, and continues to be, one of the best calculators made. It's small, thin, lightweight, powerful, and, it was beautifully designed. Sure, it can't graph, doesn't have a multi-line or color display, it doesn't have PC, Wi-Fi, or IR communication or connectivity, you can't text with it, play games, etc.... but what you can do is solve problems, and for that it's amazing. It's a wonderful tool, not a toy, ( although its coolness factor is way up there :) ), and helps the user to think and solve problems instead of doing the thinking for you, which too many things today do *sigh* The 15c, along with its less powerful siblings the 10c & 11c is a force to be reckoned with. Add their cousin, the 16c computer scientist calculator and you've got an amazing lineup. Newer calculators have more power and more bells and whistles.... But if you're shopping around for nostalgia that packs a punch, then the 15c is worth a look. Also keep in mind the 41c series... Both the 41c/cv/cx and the 15c calculator Ines have long been discontinued, but they are still VERY MUCH alive and in relatively high use todsy :-)Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes
Etched on a component substrate made of saphire, it got extremely power efficient and durable. A real gem in both senses of this word. In many opinions the optimal hands-on calculator for a truly real engineer. Probaly much to costly to remake today. And You need to use Reverse Polish Notation to program this iconic gem - a positive extra feature for many hardy numberofilists
Verified purchase: Yes
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