I bought a golden HP 12C+ (uses 2 CR2032 Coin Cell) today (Serial no. 4CY01300046 Can anyone decode this?) to replace my old broken down 12C (can't power on) and 12c platinum 25th Anniversary Version (Body's loosing after I dropped it on the floor during exams). I still have one healthy 12C which is made in 1984.
I chose 12c rather than 12cp because I prefer 12c's larger and bolder digit and annunciator. But I missed 12cp's 400 program steps (In practice, I didn't use all 400 steps and I found that it's quite trouble to locate the 2nd program to run in 12cp). I don't use ALG and I don't like to press Shift key to do backspacing or Undo an operation.
The keyboard of this new 12C+ keyboard is good. It responds quickly and not mushy.
For calculation, it's really faster than my old 12c, especially computing IRR. I love it.
However, I found that this 12C+'s self test does not show "-8,8,8,8,8,8,8,8" like what the user guide describes. At first, I thought the first 12C+ that I got is a faulty machine. Then, I asked for a change. When I get the second 12C+ (i.e. the current one on my hand), it also cannot show "-8,8,8,8,8,8,8,8" as well. But when I enter some figures to try out NPV, IRR and Bond Calculation, this 12C+ gives correct answer. It's strange. As it gives correct answer, I think my 12C+ works properly and didn't ask for a change again. Can any user enlighten me on this matter?