Most minimalistic (RPN) calculator

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

Recently I acquired a "lot" of calculators, which also included a (boxed! and seemingly unused) "National Semiconductor Model 600 Personal Calculator". Made in USA in 1973 or 1974.

I think this must be the most minimalistic calculator in my collection. Six digits, integer arithmetic, no key for a decimal point. The "+" key performs the (unlabeled) Enter function as in similar units. The little "decimal" switch on top of the keyboars is really a gimmmick because it only turns on and off a fixed decimal point LED between the second and third digit from the right.

Does anybody have an even simpler (RPN) calculator?

Regards
Max

[toml_12953]

(03-24-2020 05:27 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  Hello!

Recently I acquired a "lot" of calculators, which also included a (boxed! and seemingly unused) "National Semiconductor Model 600 Personal Calculator". Made in USA in 1973 or 1974.

I think this must be the most minimalistic calculator in my collection. Six digits, integer arithmetic, no key for a decimal point. The "+" key performs the (unlabeled) Enter function as in similar units. The little "decimal" switch on top of the keyboars is really a gimmmick because it only turns on and off a fixed decimal point LED between the second and third digit from the right.

Does anybody have an even simpler (RPN) calculator?

Regards
Max

Wow! that is minimal! Integer only - so if you press 1, +, 3, ÷ you get 0?

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

(03-24-2020 08:07 PM)toml_12953 Wrote:  Wow! that is minimal! Integer only - so if you press 1, +, 3, ÷ you get 0?

Yes, just tried it out. And if the "decimal" switch is turned on, you get "____._0" as result istead :-) I wonder why anybody would want to use such a device, even in 1973.

Regards
Max

[Steve Simpkin]

(03-24-2020 08:34 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  Hello!

(03-24-2020 08:07 PM)toml_12953 Wrote:  Wow! that is minimal! Integer only - so if you press 1, +, 3, ÷ you get 0?

Yes, just tried it out. And if the "decimal" switch is turned on, you get "____._0" as result istead :-) I wonder why anybody would want to use such a device, even in 1973.
Regards
Max

Why? Price. With all of these cost saving measures, this must have been one of the cheaper models available at the time. I saw listings where it was advertised at US$24.99 in April 1974 and was on sale for $14.99 by November. And if you only needed it for balancing your checkbook or very basic math, it would work for that.

I remember looking at limited models like this around 1973-1974 as I was trying to convince my mother that me buying an electronic calculator would not ruin my ability to do math with pencil and paper. Those were dark ages indeed.

Here is more information on this model including the "manual".
https://www.keesvandersanden.nl/calculators/ns600.php

[Craig Bladow]

The Commodore Minuteman 6X has the same features. The 'Enter' key has the same functionality as the '+=" key.

   

[Eddie W. Shore]

I think we have a winner.

[Maximilian Hohmann]

(03-25-2020 07:24 PM)Eddie W. Shore Wrote:  I think we have a winner.

The Commodore hsa one key more :-)

[rprosperi]

(03-26-2020 10:06 AM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 07:24 PM)Eddie W. Shore Wrote:  I think we have a winner.

The Commodore hsa one key more :-)

Who would have guessed an ENTER key would be considered a frilly, unnecessary key on an RPN calculator?

[toml_12953]

(03-26-2020 12:21 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  

(03-26-2020 10:06 AM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  The Commodore hsa one key more :-)

Who would have guessed an ENTER key would be considered a frilly, unnecessary key on an RPN calculator?

You just have to clear the calculator and press + after the first entry. After all, it only has a two-level stack! I wouldn't want to use it now but it was a help back in the day, I'm sure. I don't know about the utility of a divide key on an integer-only calculator, though.

[appsoft]

(03-25-2020 05:04 PM)Craig Bladow Wrote:  The Commodore Minuteman 6X has the same features. The 'Enter' key has the same functionality as the '+=" key.

Commodore Minuteman 6X (MM6X) has 16 keys.

But there is Commodore Minuteman 6 (MM6) with 15 keys and a switch on top: https://www.si.edu/object/commodore-minu...ah_1363539

Its just unclear does MM6 (without Enter key) is RPN capable: http://www.vintagecalculators.com/html/c...ators.html

Quote:A unique feature of the MM6 is its use of Reverse Polish Notation, otherwise unknown among Commodores, and it sports an Enter key. There is an algebraic version of the MM6 too and there is a version with rectangular keys and one with oval keys. Another variation, the MM6X, appears identical to the MM6.

[Ross Barnes]

Fifty years ago I bought the NS 600 calculator for my mother. Since she used mechanical adding machines where the + key entered the first number the procedure for using this electronic calculator made sense to her and the two place fixed decimal point was adequate for checkbook reconciliation. It came with a trifold instruction pamphlet that she could refer to.

Padding with zeroes for division problems and keeping multiplicands and multipliers to three digits each kept you on the good side of the calculator. Slide rule skills needed for decimal point. The two level stack allows for easy squaring 111 + x gives 12321 not that she needed that function.

[AndiGer]

I have a Novus 650 Mathbox.
15 keys. No switch to light/unlight the decimal point, always fixed.

Concerning division an excerpt from the "manual":
"Finding decimal in division: For decimal accuracy in division, enter number to be divided (dividend), then fill display with as many zeroes as it will hold. Then enter the divisor, eliminating insignificant zeroes, and touch / (divide). To determine the proper decimal place in the answer, just remember this rule: the number of decimal places in the dividend (numerator) minus the number of decimal places in the divisor (denominator) equals the number of decimal places in the answer (quotient). See example F."

If you follow this advise 1 / 3 will be calculated 100000 / 3 and shows 333.33 :-).

Andi

[AnnoyedOne]

I can beat you all

Basic 4-function with memory (string). No = or ENTER "key" needed. RPN and/or algebraic. No batteries. Auto-shutoff.

   

A1

[Ren]

(09-10-2024 03:43 PM)AnnoyedOne Wrote:  Basic 4-function with memory (string). No = or ENTER "key" needed. RPN and/or algebraic. No batteries. Auto-shutoff.

USENET sci.electronics had a frequent commenter whose .sig was

"Never trust a man who can count to 1023 with his fingers!"

B^)

[Jim Horn]

(09-10-2024 07:53 PM)Ren Wrote:  USENET sci.electronics had a frequent commenter whose .sig was

"Never trust a man who can count to 1023 with his fingers!"

B^)

Hey! I resemble that remark! Having learned binary in 5th grade, I've been able to count without conscious effort that way with my right little finger as LSB and left little finger as MSB ever since. The muscle memory lets me do so while focusing on other things.

Doesn't everybody?

[AnnoyedOne]

(09-12-2024 07:44 PM)Jim Horn Wrote:  Doesn't everybody?

Can't say I've ever used my fingers to count in binary.

10 fingers = 2^10 - 1 = 1023

And no I didn't need a calculator, HP or otherwise, for that

A1

PS: Barefoot you can go even higher!

[Ren]

Does anyone else remember when Johnny Carson (using a calculator) lost to a girl using her fingers to calculate?
She was using this technique.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chisanbop

Here's a video of the latter part of the segment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTwhKo2HTP4