hp12c / hp12c platinum; which to buy

[rprosperi]

(05-24-2018 11:41 PM)pattox Wrote:  What I am still confused about is the whether the latest models are one or 2 battery ones.

rprosperi wrote
"The current versions of both 12C and 12CP both use 2 x CR2032 batteries, with the double-wide large door. This new 12C is literally thousands of times faster than the original."

The hpstore site "https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-12c-platinum-financial-calculator-p-f2231aa-aba--1" in the specs for the 12c platinum
says "Power 1 CR2032 battery; Battery life: 2 years (when used 1 hr/day)"

Other sites: https://www.compsource.com/pn/F2231AAABA...2231aaaba/

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...No=3157009

Yeah, it's well-known HP, and therefore channel partners, don't update their websites, collateral material, etc. HP wants the world to think the HP-12C has not ever changed. It's the gold standard in many industries (banking, real estate, etc.) so this makes good sense, in general.

As for why they don't bother to update the specs on the webpage, the HP guys here have been ignored for years when requesting such updates. Some mid-level manager (probably correctly) no doubt reasoned that less the 0.01 % of the buying public cares about such details.

But it's a fact that both current models (12C & 12CP) use 2 x CR-2032 batteries, which means longer battery life, if traditional key-feel is not an important factor.

But, as I and others have recommended, just get a vintage 12C on eBay, I saw one yesterday that was less than $20. Can't go wrong at that price, but look closely at the pics and read the notes. Pristine units of course cost more, but if you're patient and look closely, you can snag one of these cheaply too. A nice side-benefit of HP having sold millions of these over the years.