The HP-16C Computer Scientist was a programmable calculator from Hewlett-Packard, issued in 1982 and produced until 1989. It was specifically designed for use by computer programmers and it sports a number of low-level functions and conversions. It was part of the HP Voyager line, which includes the HP12c Financial calculator, and the HP10c (entry level), HP11c (mid level) and HP15c (advanced) scientific calculators.

It was the only programmer's calculator ever produced by HP, though many later HP calculators have incorporated most of the 16C's functions (while no one in as easy an interface as this one)

The only current alternative for the HP16c is the 16 mode in the new HP15c with the silicone overlay, but -I readily admit- it is not the same experience as an original machine.

The functions can be found in several other HP calculators - the HP42s, the HP48 family, even the HP Prime with its Base page, which does most of the HP16c features in a single screen. However, these are not as portable and as easy to operate (for the main conversion functions) as the HP16c

The hope remains, since the hardware exists and it is proven (and it is proven that can handle the HP16c firmware too), so why not...

From the point of view of users - is there a market for the HP16c? Do all programming environments currently supply tools that make the HP16c redundant? Or there is still utility in having a dedicated computer programming tool like the HP16c?