The HP Financial calculator has been a standard of the financing and mortgage industry for almost 4 decades and progressed from a one line LED display and limited memory to the 12C's and 17B series with multi line display, programmability and a host of function keys. However the key feature of the HP's was rock solid construction and reliability. I am sure there are users out there with 20 year old machines still working perfectly.
Somewhere between the 17Bll and the 17Bll+ HP appears to have handed off design and build to a 3rd party. Manufacturing moved from Singapore to China and quality & useability fell off. I don't think the blame lies with country of manufacture but rather design and quality control. Currently there are 2 17Bll+'s on the market. The poor quality one retains HP's dark brown faceplate with a yellow change key and a rounded shape. The newer model same model # has a platinum plate and a blue change key. The former flattened and lightened the calculator and in the process took away much of the key tactility. There have been reports of breakdown, keys failing to function etc. The platinum model returns to the traditional shape of the HP 17 series, raises the keys for excellent tactile feel and generally has the heft and quality feel of the older machines. So far (3 months) mine has operated flawlessly. By the way it also is made in China. Not sure what happened in the background but suspect HP stepped in albeit indirectly to protect its name.
Bottom line HP for ever. Strongly suspect mine will outlive me ( my previous 17Bll got lost after 15 years use!Get more detail about HP 17BII+ Financial Calculator.
