Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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165 of 169 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A half-hearted upgrade is BADDER than no upgrade at all, July 12, 2004
I have been using both the 12c Platinum (call it 12cP) and 12C for study and at work. I use the 12C gold more often than the 12cP.
My biggest disappointment with the 12cP is its relatively slow processing SPEED vis-a-vis the predecessor 12C and its competition (the HP10B, TIBA2plus).
The 12cP is notably slower than the 12C especially when performing Time Value of Money (TVM) calculations.
Running both HP12s side-by-side with the same data input, my 12cP has been consistently slower by 50% as compared to my 12C.
If possible, I would suggest that potential users and buyers try this data set on both the 12C and 12cP before buying. Clear register. Find [i] after input [PMT]=-1458;[FV]=0,[n]=84,[PV]=103600. The HP12C would take 20 seconds "running" while the HP12cP would take about 30 seconds to give the same answer [i]=0.4059!
This apparent lack of speed is difficult to accept for a supposedly latest financial calculator upgrade from any manufacturer! It is a bad joke, considering that my 12 years old HP10B could perform the same TVM calculation in just 2 to 3 seconds!
However,both HP12Cs are great value for money if the user consider the TOTAL solutions and free website support and training which is available from HP. In addition, there are lots of literature and solutions written by third party users over the still ongoing 20+ years production run of the 12C. IMHO,in addition to excellent user support, the PROGRAMMING capability of the HP12c is the other major face saving advantage which put both the 12Cs over its TI challengers for now.
The good people @ HP may like to know that 96% of my fellow students are now using their competitor's Texas Instrument TI-BAIIplus! The BAII-plus is chosen for its 50% lower price and much faster processing speed. The relative slower speed of the HP12c/12cP does not pull the crowds from TI, especially when speed is much needed during stressful exams condition. A slower processing speed would also cancels off the advantage of learning RPN.
After using the misnomer of a sucessor HP12cP, I personally feel that the 12C is still very much the industry standard. However, it would be better if HP would consider incorporating some useful improvements like a [BACKSPACE] key if it is technically feasible. Also, seasoned 12C users of the RPN would not miss the ALG mode on the 12cP especially when it HP doesn't have ( ) included. The HP12cP is an odd ball ALG calculator from this viewpoint. A suggestion to the dear good people at HP, please let future HP12C GOLD upgrades remain as an exclusively RPN machine.
I would also be very glad if somebody from HP could highlight to me on which are the 10+ more (130+ total)improved functions on the 12cP as compared to the 12C (120+ functions) to help me justify the additional price of 28%+ paid for the 12cP in Singapore.
Both my 12C/cP sets were "Made in China" by probably the same HP OEM to reasonably high HP quality. At a glance, the HP12C gold apparently has better cosmetic finishing than the 12cP. In addition, the keys on the 12C does feel very much better than those on the 12cP.
In a nutshell, the 12cP is more of "an alternative to 12C with ALG mode" than an upgrade or a sucessor of the 12C GOLD. When choosing between the 12C or 12cP, it is wiser to go for the 12C the "good old" 12C or 12C GOLD!
Smart consumers who do not need extra memory for programming and the ALG mode, should go for GOLD, buy the 12C GOLD standard until HP could produce a real and wholehearted improvement of the 12C line.
Thank you for reading my personal user experience with the HP12c PLATINUM.
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94 of 99 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Stick with the 12c, August 6, 2003
HP really dropped the ball on this one. The 12cp is poorly made and not worth the money. As was mentioned before, the TVM functions are slower than the 12c. One would think that one of the design benchmarks would be to at least out perform the 12c! There is also a bug in the programming side of the calculator, which if you want more detail, is defined at some calculator websites. I was duped into buying the 12cp and, upon opening the package, immediately noticed the poorer design. The numbers and functions on the keys are painted on instead of being molded into the plastic of the key. I already have a key that is scratched from accidentally dropping the calculator. Also, the "Enter" key has a bounce to it that gives a double click every time I use it. This may be particular to my 12cp, but it is incredibly annoying and the 12c, which I have had for years, works flawlessly. It may be slower, but stick with the "gold" standard and maybe buy an extra one in case HP discontinues it. I gave it one star because they require that something be selected.
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Advantages and disadvantages., March 10, 2006
A Kid's Review
Many people wonder: Should I get the HP 12c Platinum or the old standby, the HP 12c gold. Personally, I'd recommend getting both. Like most things, each model has advantages and disadvantages, but both are still among the finest feats in engineering in terms of a calculator. Keep in mind there are two versions of the Platinum -- the original and the 2.0 version. The 2.0 version is much better, and you'll know you have it if it has backspace and undo [g] functions. It's finally a respectible "upgrade" to one of the best calculators ever made.
What about the 12c Platinum?
Advantages:
- Much, much faster than the gold. It crunches IRR calculations in a fraction of the time. You might even find yourself missing the "running" message that's so common with the gold HP 12c. You cannot overestimate the advantage of the increase in speed, especially with test taking.
- Backspace and undo key. Having a backspace key really is nice, especially if you work with many long numbers.
- More program memory. Unlike the gold, the Platinum can hold something like 999 lines of memory. The gold only holds 100 or so, which fills up pretty quickly. Some options pricing models, for instance, will consume all 100 lines.
- Color. Many younger people think the silver color looks "cooler" or more current. Personally, I like the gold -- looks retro or something. It's personal taste, though.
Disadvantages:
- Slightly slower "wake up" period. You have to hold the 'on' button about a half of a second longer for the Platinum calculator to turn on versus the gold. Not a big deal, but a little frustrating for gold users who have years of habit.
- Display font not quite as nice. The gold's display is really nice. The characters are well formed and the screen has a nice contrast to it. The Platinum's screen is a bit different, some might say more updated and similar to other modern HP calculators. It's still very clear, though.
- Harder to see the orange functions. Maybe it's the silver screen plate, but for whatever reason, the orange functions just don't stand out as well as they do on the black faceplate of the gold.
- Buttons feel a little cheaper. I'm not talking about the responsiveness of the keys -- that's actually pretty good on the Platinum (maybe even better than the gold). It's just that the plastic the keys are formed out of plastic that feels a little less dense.
- Button font slightly less bold. Unlike the definitive, almost bold type on the gold's keys, the keys on the Platinum don't stand out as well. The type might be smaller, but I'm not sure. It's not a big deal, but noticeable.
- Lack of key-entry "flash." When you press [PV] or [i] or any of the financial keys on the Platinum, the screen doesn't flash like the gold does. That flash is nice because it really lets you know the data has been punched it. Again, it's not a big deal, since you can [RCL] the data to make sure it's in there. Also, if you have the calculator set on three or more decimal points --and enter a number with less decimal points -- the conversion will make it clear the entry has been made.
Which is best for you? Tough call. If speed is No. 1 to you, Platinum 2.0 for sure. The gold, however, is really close to perfect. What not get one of each?
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