Desk & home office · calculator
HP 15C
Hacker Approved
Owners praise its tactile keys, battery life and durability, with a median of 41 years of use. Critics say the reissues don't match the original's keys, display or labeling.
Summarized from 33 comments.
Owners praise its tactile keys, battery life and durability, with a median of 41 years of use. Critics say the reissues don't match the original's keys, display or labeling.
- recommend
- 24
- criticize
- 6
- months recommended
- 5 of 13
- median owned, 5 owners said
- 41 years
Why people love it
Tactile keys that feel responsive · 5
Form factor is good, aesthetically it's very appealing, it feels efficient to use, I like the tactile feel of the buttons
Jan 2026 · commentthe solid physical construction (the buttons on the 11C and 15C were awesome)
May 2026 · commentI've never owner any other piece of technology with buttons this good.
Jan 2026 · commentDurable, lasts decades of use · 4
it got me through four years of math, physics, and computer science university classes
Jun 2026 · commentI can't think of another electronic device that has survived and remained useful
Jan 2026 · commentNone worse for the wear. They'll all come handy after the acopalypse.
May 2026 · commentLong battery life from silicon-on-sapphire · 2
it isn't as good as the originals with their perfect keyboards
Nov 2025 · commentsilicon-on-sapphire technology, normally used for space, that ensured the amazing battery life
Jun 2026 · commentCompact form factor for carrying · 2
Form factor is good, aesthetically it's very appealing, it feels efficient to use, I like the tactile feel of the buttons
Jan 2026 · commentto take with me all the time (due to its small form factor)
Jan 2026 · comment
What people warn about
Reissues fall short of originals · 4
it doesn't match the quality of the original in terms of display, key feel, and key labeling (colors)
Jun 2026 · commentit isn't as good as the originals with their perfect keyboards
Nov 2025 · commentit's not up to the quality of the original
Jun 2026 · commentEarly Collector's Edition had issues · 2
there were problems with that emulation in the first 15C Collector Edition runs, supposedly fixed now
Jun 2026 · commentthe 15c 'Collector's Edition' had some issues
Jun 2026 · comment
What hackers pick instead
- Casio S100X Japanese Lacquer EditionPeople recommend it for its handcrafted lacquer look and premium feel as a keepsake, though critics say it is an average calculator for the price.16recommend
- Casio calculatorPeople recommend Casio calculators for being cheap, durable and simple enough for school exams and everyday math. Critics say the functions are limited and cannot store formulas or programs.14recommend
- SwissMicros DM42nPeople recommend it as a stack-based RPN calculator that feels good to use and is built to last. The most common caveat is small keys.13recommend
- SwissMicros R47 RPN calculatorRecommended as a physical RPN calculator with high-end build, screen and instant on/off, and engineering people praise. Critics call it backward-looking and too expensive.11recommend
- HP 42S calculatorOwners recommend the HP 42S for its satisfying tactile buttons and long life, with many reporting decades of reliable use. Battery replacement is the common caveat.8recommend
Every quote
The 28 most detailed of 33 comments. Each links to the original.
Form factor is good, aesthetically it's very appealing, it feels efficient to use, I like the tactile feel of the buttons
Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Ask HN: Do you still physical calculators?”
with their perfect keyboards and the silicon on sapphire technology that gave them their incredible battery life
Recommends · Nov 2025 · in “The R47: A new physical RPN calculator”
silicon-on-sapphire technology, normally used for space, that ensured the amazing battery life
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
the faceplate logo wore out and the soft sleeve crumbled to dust after a couple of years
Mixed · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
it got me through four years of math, physics, and computer science university classes
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
I can't think of another electronic device that has survived and remained useful
Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Ask HN: Do you still physical calculators?”
the solid physical construction (the buttons on the 11C and 15C were awesome)
Recommends · May 2026 · in “I designed a nibble-oriented CPU in Verilog to build a scientific calculator”
I've never owner any other piece of technology with buttons this good.
Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Ask HN: Do you still physical calculators?”
None worse for the wear. They'll all come handy after the acopalypse.
Recommends · May 2026 · in “Ti-84 Evo”
I had a 15C that got me through high school and college engineering.
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
to take with me all the time (due to its small form factor)
Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Ask HN: Do you still physical calculators?”
The main thing is that the keys still work like on day 1.
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
Nobody gets keys right like the old HP calculators.
Recommends · May 2026 · in “I designed a nibble-oriented CPU in Verilog to build a scientific calculator”
it doesn't match the quality of the original in terms of display, key feel, and key labeling (colors)
Criticizes · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
there were problems with that emulation in the first 15C Collector Edition runs, supposedly fixed now
Criticizes · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
it isn't as good as the originals with their perfect keyboards
Criticizes · Nov 2025 · in “The R47: A new physical RPN calculator”
the 15c 'Collector's Edition' had some issues
Criticizes · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
it's not up to the quality of the original
Criticizes · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
they just aren't the same
Criticizes · Nov 2025 · in “The R47: A new physical RPN calculator”
My non-techncial wife learned to use it, and I smile everytime she used RPN.
Recommends · Feb 2026 · in “Ask HN: Do you still physical calculators?”
I have a 15c limited edition (earlier run) and it's been great.
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
It is probably the finest piece of electronics I've ever owned.
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
The physical HP in front of me leaves my screen undisturbed.
Recommends · Nov 2025 · in “The R47: A new physical RPN calculator”
IMHO the HP 15C RPN is the best calculator ever made.
Recommends · Feb 2026 · in “Ask HN: Do you still physical calculators?”
15C or 50G for more complex tasks involving units
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
it works just fine in wayland an in x11
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
A dedicated calculator feels nicer.
Recommends · Nov 2025 · in “The R47: A new physical RPN calculator”
It never interrupts me. Ever.
Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Ask HN: Do you still physical calculators?”
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