Hi, I'm new to the HP calculators. I am in a graduate accounting program after having graduated with my BS in the mid '90s. I decided I wanted a business calculator, preferably that acted like a 10 key so I researched what was popular. Imagine my amazement when I found that the HP 12C was still a major player! I remember being a "poor college student" back in the '90s wishing I could get a 12c but settling for a weak Casio, that didn't have business functions and barely handled stats! Not to mention that I went through hard core finance classes with it. I digress but I'm sure someone can relate.
So I get a 12c (a nice Malaysian one). I'm curious - what is the difference between 10 key calculators (ie tape calculators) and RPN? They are obviously related somehow. I initially wanted a tape calculator because of what I always thought was RPN, and its fast ability to enter a column of numbers. The business functions of a 12c would be great but I really wanted a portable calculator that was like a 10 key. Why is it that you can buy a 10 key with tape, but can't buy a calculator that operates like a 10 key but not tape (ie compact and portable)? I'd think it would be easy to put one out. I get the whole seeing the tape thing but that's not crucial.
I thoroughly enjoy using my 12C but I'm curious how they are related, and why there doesn't seem to be any such thing as a 10 key without tape! One other thing - I get using the enter key for HP to either fill the stack or for basic operations, but why would a person not want to just enter 5 + 5 + to get 10 rather than 5 ENTER 5 +.
Hope this makes sense.
Matt
Edited: 26 Mar 2011, 8:05 p.m.