Which HP12 to buy?

[Allen]

If you're interested in a financial calculator and like the pioneer series ( 32s,42s, etc..) I really enjoy the original HP17bii, which is superior in many ways to the 12C and is about the same cost.

As far as the HP 12C, I have owned at one time, all of the 12c variants.
My collection is down to only eleven 12c models- I kept only 3-celled versions and 2-cell versions, and sold the others.

I would suggest one of these:

• 12c early models- Made in USA, Brazil, Singapore, or Malaysia - inexpensive, but many used calculators are well-worn.
• Any 12c model with 3-cell battery except made in China
• Any 12c model with 2-cell battery (platinum or 30th anniversary)- Very Very Fast, though some of the displays do not have good contrast.
  

I do not recommend:

• Any 12c variant with 1 cell battery, including 25th anniversary (most from China)- cheap keyboard, display.
  

I prefer the original gold/blue colour scheme over the later platinum or prestige colors, but others may have different preferences.