hp 12c financial calculator 12c aba
if you bought yourself a financial calculator during the 1980s chances are it was this bad boy . nothing has changed since its introduction -- it still uses reverse polish notation rpn is easy and versatile in programming and has a thin sturdy casing . certainly there s been newer fancier calculators introduced since but there s something to be said for the quality of classics . the hp 12c s functions include all the basics -- such as calculating apr npv and irr -- and statistics are a snap . for students new to financial calculators this is an excellent place to start . for the most part the manual reads like a minitextbook walking you through sample problems and situations followed by graphs and tables demonstrating the technique -- and you can even check your results . the section on creating programs does seem to be written for the technically ignorant addressing in detail how you could possibly benefit from using programs but it ll still help you get the job done . in general it s a bit slower than newer models just like last year s computer isn t as speedy as today s new release . on the plus side it s just 3 by 5 inches and slips easily into a pocket . the bottom is printed with a few little cheat notes for common functions which is nice for quick reference . the hp 12c s one-year warranty and available tech-support line offer reassurance this little workhorse will continue to be an industry standard for years to come . -- jill lightner pros pocket size thorough and simple instruction manual competitive price cons calculates more slowly than modern machines what s in the box calculator user s manual installed batteries and carrying case