25 Sep
2003
25 Sep
'03
2:45 p.m.
And thusly Tothwolf spake:
On Thu, 25 Sep 2003, Michael Nadeau wrote:
Just a thought....
Is there any *other* way to tell that this is an original? What if
somebody went and made a new clear plastic case and replaced a normal
case? How much does a normal cased HP-85 go for?
The 3D printers out there are getting cheaper... (relatively!)
Cheers,
Bryan Pope
P.S. But I would like to see a device come out that could make exact
copies of older computer chips... :) Great to keep our systems running.
This is probably more aptly called a demo model
rather than a prototype.
Computer makers would sometimes create a handful of a model prior to
launch to privately show it off to the press, retailers, investors, etc.
Compaq once gave me a laptop to preview for BYTE that was in a clear
case. It was essentially a production unit on the inside.
My guess is that HP made fewer than 10 of these HP-85s in a clear case.
This is a way cool find.
Clear cases are usually made just prior to any texture being added to the
production molds. Usually they are used for engineering purposes (making
sure it all fits), but sometimes they will also use those cases for
demo/promotional purposes too.