[wslh]

Laser focus to the main topic, I remember that the Sinclair appeal in Latin America was the price and that low barrier to entry enables much more success, like top Spanish magazines focused on the Sinclairs and the Commodores. It is important to memorialize that even if your family can afford a more expensive device most conscious parents found that these were expensive game devices more than a computer. Even programming was about being fun, not an industry! The first one I saw was a father who was an accountant and complemented its kids fun with calculations he should do, so the father learnt how to develop software in the same way, kind of, you learn how to program an HP-15C calculator [0]. I knew several accountants at that time that followed that route before even using VisiCalc.

Thank you for highlighting Rick Dickinson [1], it's probable very difficult to communicate to newer generations how form factor or plain aesthetics played in the 80s where a desktop PC is just a box. This clearly include calculators like the HPs ones. For the ones with sensitive clear memories, touching and using this devices make an echo in your spirit. Even when you think that the ZX81 had a membrane keyboard, there was something "mystic" about finding devices with such different design. We might even use the "kinky" term for devices like the Casio CZ-101 [2].

The Show Must Go On [3].

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-15C

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Dickinson

[2] http://weltenschule.de/TableHooters/Casio_KX-101.html

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Show_Must_Go_On_(Queen_son...

[Instantix]

I was a Casio guy, having the fx-850p. It was a very nice object I enjoyed a lot but HP ones had their own touch for sure.

Talking about design, some of the Nintendo Game & Watch series were particularly lovely. It's the first "computer device" I can think of which was elegant.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/keithmidson/8082061808/in/phot...

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/mickey-mouse-game-watch-nintend...

[wslh]

I haven’t specifically mentioned the fx-850p to keep the comment brief, but it’s obviously included in the point about form factor. Having a "calculator-computer" with BASIC was a blast! While others followed the notebook trend, CASIO maintained the idea of a calculator-sized computer, which was brilliant. If it weren't for those Japanese companies, we'd probably have far fewer devices to discuss today. Don't forget PSION (UK) either! Beyond today’s economies of scale, it was fantastic to have such variety. For instance, I’d love a modern calculator with Python functionality in a small display and compact size—not talking about the HP Prime, though I do like it as well.

Finally, I often think about a "dumb" calculator with a great form factor, a keyboard and display combo, that functions purely as a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi terminal for a computer we already own or even connecting to the cloud.