Calculators Why is the HP 15C so expensive?

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The HP 15C is priced between $100 to $200, primarily due to its nostalgic value and historical significance as a top scientific calculator for engineers and chemists in the 1980s. While it offers compact size and advanced functions, some users question its competitiveness against modern calculators, which may provide more features at lower prices. The 12C model, specialized for financial calculations, is cheaper but lacks the broader functionality of the 15C. Many potential buyers express interest in the 15C for personal use or as a collector's item, despite the availability of cheaper alternatives. Ultimately, the 15C's appeal lies in its legacy and portability, making it a unique choice for those who appreciate its history.
  • #31
I bought a HP-11C app for my iPhone, and I'm impressed with it. It seems a good alternative for anyone who carries a smart phone around anyway. There are good HP-12 and HP-15 apps as well. Also, the price is cheaper. For example, my HP-11C app was $9.99.
 
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  • #32
The i41CX app for the iPhone is as close to a perfect replica of the 41CV as you can get and it's far less than $100. I own a real 15C but I no longer use it- the iPhone 41CX is just too good and too convenient.
 
  • #33
I eBayed an 11C recently (good but lacks a number of 15C features (eg, complex numbers)) - it now sits in my jacket pocket as its about a cm to tall for my shirt pocket. I haven't used RPN for decades but it was pretty quick to pick up again and get used to ... "normal" calculators now seem irritating.

There are a couple of HP 11/15 emulators out there for Android (and probably Windows & iOS) that will allow somebody to get a feel for the calculators and their capabilities. The big advantage of the actual calculator, IMO, is the dedicated hardware keyboard ... I can use touchscreens but I find them to be slower and more error prone than a proper keyboard, and the HP 11C/15C keyboards are gems.
 
  • #34
On several of the apps they have useful features like memory views of the registers, programming lines, etc. But I agree with nemo, nothing like the feel of those hp keys. I feel one advantage of the little clones from the pictures anyway is those keys look sealed. That should really help the life of the keyboard. I am probably going to get one of the 15c units soon.
 

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