The HP 12C Platinum Financial Calculator

[Frozen North]

I had an opportunity to try one of the re-released HP-12C financial calculators today.

Now I happen to have an original HP-12C I bought some thirty years ago when it was first released, and it's still in use -- at least when I don't use its Nonpariel-12C software twin under Mac OS/X. My old HP-12C is in good shape although the front is a bit scratched and the back label has surely seen better days. The calculator has been used so much that I've forgotten how many times I've replaced the batteries.

My first impression of the new HP-12C was "What did they do to the keypad?" Instead of crispy, it was mushy. Pressing on a key seemed to move its orthogonal neighbors as well. The calculator's keypad was not designed for cavemen like myself who have fat, calloused fingers which are not the least bit delicate.

To give credit to HP, at least key layout and the firmware are the same, and the price is less than a fifth of the original after adjusting for inflation.