The Best Calculators for Students and Professionals (Old tech remains relevant)

Popular Mechanics ^ | July 26, 2022 | ALEX RENNIE AND STEPHEN SLAYBAUGH

[DoodleBob]

Whether you’re a middle schooler starting Algebra I, a college student enrolled in a calculus course, or a professional accountant, having a dedicated calculator is essential. Specifically designed for simple straightforward use, these user-friendly devices allow you to perform a wide range of calculations quickly, and powerful models can even tackle extremely complicated calculus equations. And yeah, when it comes to simple math, sure you can use your smartphone, but there’s something about the physical buttons and single-function design that still makes basic calculators useful to have around.

The Best Calculators

BEST OVERALL TI-84 Plus CE Graphing Calculator $129 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

BEST FOR STUDENTS 16-Digit Scientific Calculator $25 SHARP

BEST VALUE FX-9750II Graphing Calculator $80 CASIO

BEST FOR ACCOUNTING 12c Financial Calculator $68 HP

BEST BUDGET LS-82Z Handheld Calculator $9 CANON

What to Consider
While calculators have all sorts of bells and whistles these days, there are really only two things (aside from price) with which you need to be concerned when shopping for one.

Capabilities
From graphing to scientific to more basic models, there are different types of calculators with different capabilities. Be sure to choose one that will serve your particular needs. Additionally, if you plan to use it for college entrance exams, make sure the model you are going to purchase is approved for use during testing.

Battery Life/Power Source
Speaking of college entrance exams, nothing could be worse than having your calculator run out of power on you before you finish. Calculators can be battery-powered, solar-powered, or a hybrid of both. Whatever type you choose, make sure you can rely on the model you've selected to stay charged for long stretches of time.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

...reverse Polish notation takes some time to figure out, but you can't go back once mastered.

This! I use my HP 15C all the time. Reverse Polish is the only way to go. No parentheses, no equals signs, just start at the inside and work your way out.

I've had the 15C since 1985, and I dread the day it dies, because nobody makes a calculator with RPN now. Oh well, I've still got the old Pickett slide rule too, and log and trig tables in the CRC Handbook.

[Trailerpark Badass]

I have a bunch of my Dad's (Stanford BS "55, Stanford MS EE "57) HP Calculators. I think they might be worth a little money, for collectors, I guess.

But I am handing them down to my son, Freshman at Colorado School of MInes, Class of 2027.

[Seaplaner]

I have 3 very nice slide rules left over from my undergrad days at the big U (early 70s).

They are absolutely not for sale at any price.

[NetAddicted]

Saving, to read later. I first saw calculators in grade 7. As a senior, my dad bought me some HP calculator, my first. Very nice.

[algore]

https://www.swissmicros.com/products

Interesting mini hp calculator clones.

I had almost forgotten about these

[Seaplaner]

The HP 12c's reverse Polish notation takes some time to figure out, but you can't go back once mastered.

I've heard this dozens of times (in the 70s), however I've always observed extra steps.

And, for my RPN expert FRiends...

Invited (invited) <--/--> Corrections (corrections) course <--/-->of (of).

[moovova]

I’ve had a 12C for probably going on 30 years. I know HP has an upgraded version, but the fact the 12C is still selling tells you a lot. I think they were priced around $50-odd dollars back then (mine was a gift). Heck, the instruction book was bigger than the calculator.

[DoodleBob]

Why not use a slide rule instead

Calculators have electrolytes.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The HPs use revers Polish notation, IIRC. They say it’s really quick when you get the hang of it. However, the TI-85 had functions that the HP couldn’t do, like the ability to solve X for complex numbers.

[Blood of Tyrants]

That’s what I used.

[Tench_Coxe]

RPN.

[Romulus]

I have mine as well. Cost me about $350 back then. That was real money.

[jonrick46]

I am still using my TI-85.

[Wilhelm Tell]

The TI-89 has a program you can install that has a lot of electronics/electrical engineering equations. I have not seen another calculator that has that for us electronics geeks. But I have not shopped for a calculator in years. Maybe things have changed.

[ConservativeInPA]

I use a calculator on my iPhone when I don’t have a computer near by. Here’s the home/support page. There’s a small ad at the top of the calculator app which supports the developers. I assume there is a paid version, but I have no need for that since I am parked in front of a computer most of the time.

[ConservativeInPA]

Very green solution. My old calculator was powered by a SUV.

[Kommodor]

Man, I still have my old HP15C, I think it still works - changed the batteries a while back.

I’d love to have a real emulator for my iphone. I have one that does RPN, but doesn’t have that classic look.

I should probably check and see if I can find one now.

[NurdlyPeon]

I had an HP-41CV to get me through E.E. school. Best calculator ever made. You couldn’t use it during a test though. If the instructor saw you using it, you were done right there. If another student saw you using it, they’d laugh at you. A calculator is not going to tell you how to solve a circuit problem, and the component values chosen by the instructor were such that you could do the math in your head. I remember spending hours programming it. Great fun.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Apparently the are still available from HP, but made elsewhere.

[EEGator]

We could program it for different classes.
It was a huge advantage. I think almost everyone knew how.