Best 12C models and how to identify them

[Timo Labrenz]

Being kinda depressed about the 30b, I've been looking at the different 12C models. I wonder which ones are best and how to identify them. Did I get the facts right so far?

- There are three different 12C models: the original one, the Platinum and the newer Platinum with parentheses.

- The early 12C's have the best build quality and molded keys.

- Later, 12C's have been produced in a variety of countries. Those made in the USA (serial number code "A" or "US") have the best keyboards and overall build quality. Those made in China ("CN" serial number) are usually better than those made in other countries.

- The first 12C took three LR44 batteries and is slow. Later versions use either one or two CR2032 cells. The 2xCR2032 versions have an ARM processor and are very fast (12C+). The single cell ones - I've been told not to buy them? But why...?

- There's a 30th anniversary 12C model. Apparently it's pretty good apart from one curious problem - it's got an outdated firmware that's not free of bugs.

- The 12C Platinum has more functions and memory than the original 12C. While the 12C is RPN only, the 12CP has an algebraic mode.

- Early 12CP's have no parantheses. That changed with the 25th anniversary model.

Conclusion:

What to buy:

- You prefer algebraic input over RPN: The new Platinum is the only option. Look for the parentheses!

- You want to be certain to have the best build quality: Get an American made 12C that runs on three LR44 cells. Many of them have been heavily used - look for little wear and tear.

- You want many functions and a lot of memory: Get a Platinum, preferably the new version - it's also faster.

- You want speed: Get a 12C that runs on two CR2032. Try to get one made in China. (Or is there an American 2xCR2032 version?)

- You want your 12C to be new: Get a 30th anniversary model and a data cable to update its firmware.

What not to buy:

- Avoid the earlier 12C Platinum versions (unless you get one for very little money and want to use RPN).

- Avoid 12C's that are not made in the USA or China (A, US, CN) - for example those made in Brazil or Malaysia (BR, MY).

Well, that's it. What are your comments? Am I missing something?

How do you recognise the different models? Are there any tricks? It's easy to distinguish a new 12C Platinum from an old one. But if you want to buy a regular 12C on ebay and all you've got is a photo of the front - is there any way of knowing which version it is?

[Fabricio]

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- Avoid 12C's that are not made in the USA or China (A, US, CN) - for example those made in Brazil...

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Sorry for distracting a bit the disscussion from the 12C but, any special reason/experience for those units made in Brazil?

My first calculator was an HP-11c made in Brazil; I loved it, and the only thing I noticed then was that the case was so small that the calculator didn´t fit in there. Few years later, that case was (and still is) totally ripped from the edges. But a few weeks ago, out of nostalgia, I bought a mint 11c on ebay made in USA. The difference with the one made in Brazil is somehow noticeably, not to mention anything from the case. I have an 42s also made in Brazil, which looks and feel great. So, apparently I would have mixed experiences.

Edited: 15 Apr 2012, 5:10 p.m.

[Marcus von Cube, Germany]

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- There are three different 12C models: the original one, the Platinum and the newer Platinum with parentheses.

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There are in fact four: The 12C+ with the ARM processor (2 coin cells) is really a different beast from the original 12C being a lot faster. Otherwise it runs the same firmware with the exact same number of available registers for data or program storage.

Quote:

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- The first 12C took three LR44 batteries and is slow. Later versions use either one or two CR2032 cells. The 2xCR2032 versions have an ARM processor and are very fast (12C+). The single cell ones - I've been told not to buy them? But why...?

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I'm not aware of a classic 12C with a single coin cell. I assume this is a Platinum (mine has one) but I may be wrong. There might have been a reincarnation of either version with two cells but this is lacking the connector for flashing and runs at the original speed.

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- There's a 30th anniversary 12C model. Apparently it's pretty good apart from one curious problem - it's got an outdated firmware that's not free of bugs.

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This is just a 12C+. The bugs aren't in the algorithms but in the emulation layer. Katie has more on this.

Quote:

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- The 12C Platinum has more functions and memory than the original 12C. While the 12C is RPN only, the 12CP has an algebraic mode.

- Early 12CP's have no parantheses. That changed with the 25th anniversary model.

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Almost correct: I have an earlier Platinum with silver key plate that has undo, backspace, and parentheses. So the firmware update must have been done before the 25th aniversary model was released.

Quote:

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How do you recognise the different models? Are there any tricks? It's easy to distinguish a new 12C Platinum from an old one. But if you want to buy a regular 12C on ebay and all you've got is a photo of the front - is there any way of knowing which version it is?

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You can't. On HP's side this was a silent update in order not to alienate their conservative customer base. The bugs in the early Platinums had harmed the confidence in the de-facto standard financial calculator which they tried to avoid this time.

Edited: 15 Apr 2012, 6:36 p.m.

[Timo Labrenz]

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I'm not aware of a classic 12C with a single coin cell.

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I've read somewhere that they've been around since 2008 or 2009. You can find them at the HP Store and various other webshops. What exactly is the difference between those and the 2 cell version?

[Randy]

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But if you want to buy a regular 12C on ebay and all you've got is a photo of the front - is there any way of knowing which version it is?

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In a word, no. Ask the seller for a serial number and the battery type, from which all can be divined.

FWIW, for early 12C gold units made in the USA, Brazil and Singapore, they all had similar build quality with double molded keys, no printed keys. These all used the same 3 x LR44 coin cells.

The only external difference was the feet of the units produced in Brazil were thicker and when the case was new, it was more difficult to slip into its case due to the feet. During the end of runs in all three countries, the logo changed from a plated metal badge to a painted plastic part.

Units made in Malaysia, while having good internals, used painted legend keytops.

Early Chinese gold units with 3 x LR44 cells had the same internal construction as units made in Malaysia. Decent but painted keys.

Later Chinese units with the single coin cell started the slide into lower build quality. Current key switch and keytop design, while better than anything else in the current marketplace, is not up to the original.

[Software49g]

> while better than anything else in the current

> marketplace, is not up to the original.



You get what you pay for.



Regards,

Andreas

http://www.software49g.gmxhome.de

[bill platt]

Can yo fill us in on your 30B "depression"?

[Guenter Schink]

Didn't you mention to have an Android smart phone? If so you should load Olivier de Smet's go12c emulator. It's free of charge and nicely emulates the entire classic 12c functionality.

Gruß Günter