HP 12c Platinum 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Hardwood Box Set

[AnnoyedOne]

(08-20-2024 08:59 PM)dm319 Wrote:  Would be curious to see if there are any other variants to its algorithms.

As far as I know there have only been five (5) major versions of the HP-12C firmware.

For the HP-12C:

1) The original HP NUT code (in assembler). Perhaps a few minor changes were made over the years but probably nothing significant.

2) The 2008 redesign based on the AT91SAML128 SoC (System-on-a-Chip). It emulates the original NUT code and thus works the same. User-updatable firmware via a cable. Called the HP-12C+ by many but now obsolete. The same hardware base as the HP-15C LE. Much faster than the original.

3) Another redesign (in 2015) to replace the end-of-life (EOL) AT91SAML128 with the ATSAM4LC2CA but otherwise the same. It uses a different (USB vs serial) cable for firmware updates. The same one as used for the HP-15C CE (which uses the same hardware base). Mine (a 2022 model HP-12C+) contains firmware dated 30th January 2015. To my knowledge that is the latest public release.

For the HP-12C Platinum:

4) A redesign of the HP-12C in 2003 using totally new firmware based on a 6502 SoC. Firmware v1 doesn't have the "backspace" or "undo" functions. Silver face.

5) Firmware v2 added the "backspace" and "undo" functions. Silver and black faced versions. A bit slower than v1 but still faster than the original HP-12C.

The Platinum is not the same as the first three. It can return different results and is not user updatable with different firmware. However it has additional functionality and more guard digits. The algorithms they use may or may not be different.

As for different firmware on units made in Brazil I have no idea. I searched these forums (for "Brazil 12C") and found nothing.

I think the HP-12C 25th Anniversary Edition is the same as the original 1981 (1981+25=2006) HP-12C and contains a HP NUT CPU. As for the HP HP-12C PC/Android "virtual calculators" (both of which I have) I think they also emulate the original NUT code. The (PC) HP Platinum one I have emulates the v2 6502 firmware.

A1

PS: There are a few HP-12C+ firmware variants. Probably bug fixes with no extra functionality.

PPS: According to their web page the SwissMicros DM12L emulates HP-12C NUT code (just like the HP-12C+ and HP virtual calculators).