25 Sep
2003
25 Sep
'03
7:26 a.m.
<http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3048818050&category=3294>
Joe
25 Sep
25 Sep
3:41 a.m.
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.
--Mike
Michael Nadeau
Editor/Publisher
Classic Tech, the Vintage Computing Resource
www.classictechpub.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe" <rigdonj(a)cfl.rr.com
To: <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2003 12:26 PM
Subject: ***CLEAR*** HP-85 FS on E-bay
<http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3048818050&category=3294
> Joe
12:06 p.m.
On Thu, 25 Sep 2003, Michael Nadeau wrote:
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.
-Toth
12:45 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.
2:27 p.m.
On Thu, 25 Sep 2003, Bryan Pope wrote:
And thusly Tothwolf spake:
I seriously doubt someone (at this point) would make up a new case with a
laser system. Making molds to create just a few cases the old fashioned
way would also be extremely costly, so I don't think we have to worry
about it just yet. Maybe in another 5-10 years though...
-Toth
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.
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!)
3:49 p.m.
At 02:27 PM 9/25/03 -0500, you wrote:
On Thu, 25 Sep 2003, Bryan Pope wrote:
I've seen cases made with 3-D lasers (my old employer was a pioneer with
the process). They're very rough. The process leaves DISTINCT ripples in
the surfaces and it's obvious that they're not normal cases. The chemicals
used in the process are VERY expensive. In addition you would need a 3-D
CAD drawing to operate the lasers. The process is MUCH to difficult and
expensive for use in making fake cases, especailly for something like an
HP-85 that's usually cheap (<$100) to begin with.
Joe
Making molds to create just a few cases the old fashioned
And thusly Tothwolf spake:
I seriously doubt someone (at this point) would make up a new case with a
laser system. 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.
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!) way would also be extremely costly, so I don't
think we have to worry
about it just yet. Maybe in another 5-10 years though...
-Toth
6:18 p.m.
New subject: SLA or stereolithography
I believe that process is called stereolithography
and also possibly fused-deposition-modeling
as may be seen at ...
http://www.edwardsind.com/models.htm
http://www.quickparts.com/
http://www.fdm-modeling.com/
http://www.designinsite.dk/htmsider/p0051.htm
http://www.rpi.on.ca/
http://rapid.lpt.fi/archives/rp-ml-current/0987.html
At 04:49 PM 9/25/03 -0400, you wrote:
At 02:27 PM 9/25/03 -0500, you wrote:
On Thu, 25 Sep 2003, Bryan Pope wrote:
I've seen cases made with 3-D lasers (my old employer was a pioneer with
the process). They're very rough. The process leaves DISTINCT ripples in
the surfaces and it's obvious that they're not normal cases. The chemicals
used in the process are VERY expensive. In addition you would need a 3-D
CAD drawing to operate the lasers. The process is MUCH to difficult and
expensive for use in making fake cases, especailly for something like an
HP-85 that's usually cheap (<$100) to begin with.
Joe
Making molds to create just a few cases the old fashioned
>way would also be extremely costly, so I don't think we have to worry
>about it just yet. Maybe in another 5-10 years though...
>
>-Toth
> And thusly Tothwolf spake:
I seriously doubt someone (at this point) would make up a new case with a
laser system. 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.
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!) 
4:09 p.m.
"Bryan Pope" <bpope(a)wordstock.com> wrote:
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?
Are you seriously proposing that someone would spend upwards of $50K
(probably closer to $100K) to make new molds to make a "fake" HP-85
case?
I'd be delighted if I could afford the $5K or so it would cost for
molds for a simple plastic case for one of my small projects. Sigh.
26 Sep
26 Sep
1:49 a.m.
That explanation makes sense. Compaq told me they used the clear case to
show off their engineering skill. To an editor, that sounds more impressive
than saying they just wanted to make sure the case fit right.
--Mike
On Thu, 25 Sep 2003, Michael Nadeau wrote:
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.
-Toth
25 Sep
25 Sep
3:36 p.m.
At 08:41 AM 9/25/03 +0000, you wrote:
This is probably more aptly called a demo model rather
than a prototype.
No it's a prototype. HP made clear models to test air flow (and heat
dissapation), parts clearance, etc. It's mentioned in the HP Journal
article for the HP 9845. I've had several clear HP calculators including a
clear HP-35, a clear ***RED DOT*** model HP-35 and a clear HP 92, and a
clear back for a HP-65 and I've seen a clear HP-41. I've only ever seen
them demo a clear unit ONCE, that was a HP-42 IIRC.
FWIW I have a demo unit HP-85. The label on it says "demo Unit, Not for
Sale" and it has a 9999 date code.
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.
I don't think so. I've only heard or seen of ONE clear unit os any model
so AFIK HP only built one of each.
This
is a way cool find.
Certainly is! That's why I posted it. I see the bidding is already up to
$550.
Joe
--Mike
Michael Nadeau
Editor/Publisher
Classic Tech, the Vintage Computing Resource
www.classictechpub.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe" <rigdonj(a)cfl.rr.com
To: <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org Sent:
Thursday, September 25, 2003 12:26 PM
Subject: ***CLEAR*** HP-85 FS on E-bay
<http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3048818050&category=3294
> Joe
7867
days inactive
7868
days old
9 comments
6 participants
participants (6)
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bpope＠wordstock.com -
eric＠brouhaha.com -
mail.list＠analog-and-digital-solutions.com -
menadeau＠comcast.net -
rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com -
tothwolf＠concentric.net