HP-12C Platinum power

[AnnoyedOne]

While looking on eBay I came across this "Made in Philippines" HP-12C Platinum made in 2007/2017 (the serial number also starts with PHA7).

   

What is interesting (to me) is the orange (f) "OFF" label above the ON key. I'd never noticed that before.

So my questions are:

• Is this a "Made in Philippines" thing?
• Does one have to press f+ON to turn the unit off or is the the ON key a power toggle (per the 12CP manual* and HP-12C's)? I've seen one eBay listing for a 12CP claiming that it "won't turn off".
  

I know that the ON key on my HP-20S is not a power toggle and yellow+ON must be used to turn it off**.

A1

* Page 16 of HP-12C Platinum Financial Calculator User's Guide, August 2007, Edition 5, F2231AA-90001

Quote:To begin using your hp 12c platinum, press the ON key. Pressing ON again turns the calculator off.

** Page 9 of HP-20S Owner's Manual, 8-92, Edition 5, 00020-90001

p9

Quote:To turn on your HP-20S, press C (the key above the "ON" label). To turn the calculator off, press either shift key (<- or ->), then C (also written <- OFF or -> OFF).

[Gamo]

Personally I never notice that [f] OFF on top of the [ON] key before.

I just toggle the [ON] key for On and Off all the time without any problem.

I did press the [f] OFF and its turn off as well.

Gamo

Remark: Got the Made in Philippines (the serial number also starts with PHA6)

[AnnoyedOne]

(09-04-2024 01:46 PM)Gamo Wrote:  I did press the [f] OFF and its turn off as well.

That also works on my (1982) HP-15C, (1985) HP-16C, HP-12C+ (2022). I didn't try my HP-15C CE (2023). None have an OFF label. Weird.

Perhaps just there to let users know that it works.

A1

[AnnoyedOne]

I've done a bit more research on this. I did find a post, on Reddit, asking the same question. That said the answer remains unknown.

I still ask "why?".

It could be purely cosmetic or have some (yet to be discovered) undocumented function.

A1

PS: It seems (from photo's online) that all Platinum's/Prestige's have the "OFF" label but the yellow/gold lettering makes it harder (for me) to see. The "Made in Philippines" units orange colour lettering stands out more.