Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!microsoft!alonzo
From: alonzo@microsoft.UUCP (Alonzo GARIEPY)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: HP Promo??
Keywords: Equation Solver, promo, 48sx
Message-ID: <56563@microsoft.UUCP>
Date: 14 Aug 90 19:32:30 GMT
References: <1990Aug12.023453.10030@ipsa.reuter.com> <90Aug12.215445edt.19137@me.utoronto.ca>
Reply-To: alonzo@microsoft.UUCP (Alonzo GARIEPY)
Distribution: na
Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 38

davin@me.utoronto.ca (Davin Yap) writes:
> If this is true, I'm really going to be pissed off.  I had one of the
> first 48's in Canada (3006A...); neglecting their most ethusiastic
> customers, those who rushed out and bought the first 28C, then the first
> 28S then the ... 

One pays for the privilege of strutting fashion (although you'll have to 
proffer something grander than your serial number to get our admiration).

Those who need the calculator most will want it sooner and be willing to 
pay more.  This is particularly important for a feature packed machine like 
the 48.  Development cost is amortized in a way that maximizes sales.  Ideally,
the development of each feature is payed for by its users.  Those who buy the 
heavily marked-up infrared printers are also paying for printer features built 
into the HP 48.  Those who buy the heavily marked-up serial cable are paying 
for the I/O feature.  Those who buy the heavily marked-up memory cards are
paying for plug-in support.  If you don't use any of these features, you pay 
for only a portion of the calculator's development.  That is about as fair
as you can get with something like the 48.

> the controversy over the ROM revisions and now this.
> I'm tempted to lump HP in with the other big, monolithic American companies.

What controversy over the ROM?  If you mean that it has bugs, let me tell 
you that all programs of the 48's complexity have bugs.  If you have any 
problem with your ROM, talk to HP and they will offer you reasonable terms.  
There is no controversy (and HP *is* a big, monolithic American company)!

> I realize that the equation library wasn't ready until recently, and
> that they probably want to attract the "back to school" market, but to
> neglect their strongest supporters... 

I used to go to the ballet *very* frequently when I was a student.  It cost
me $5 for the best seat in the house.  Now it costs $75.  Should I whine?
Surely the strong supporters of the ballet are those who pay the $75.

Alonzo Gariepy
alonzo@microsoft