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Ask HN: Do you still use physical calculators?

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41–50 of 130 posts

Re: Ask HN: Do you still use physical calculators?

#41

I think you accidentally a verb. But, yes. Casio fx-991EX. It's designed for schools, I think, but at the time it was the most advanced one they made that wasn't a graphing calculator, since I figured that if I ever wanted to draw a graph I'd just fire up "Grapher", which is still bundled with every Mac. In about a decade I think I've done that once. The Casio is great. Looks like it's discontinued now? I guess the f…

lol I did accidentally a verb yes, quite a frequent occurrence with me!

Re: Ask HN: Do you still use physical calculators?

#42
My HP32s from ~40 years ago still resides on my workbench where I mess around with RF circuits for fun. It has no graphing capability and it's barely programmable, but that's ok, I keep an actual computer nearby for those sorts of things. The calculator keeps earning new batteries bc tinkering with analog circuits I frequently want to evaluate little things like AB/(A+B) or 1/2piF or (1+S)/(1-S), or need the log 10 or square root or the cosine of something.

In those circumstances, the calculator's compact form factor is quite convenient, compared to needing two hands at the computer keyboard, or one handedly hunt-pecking said keyboard. As for the mouse, that has to be the slowest, most focus stealing option of them all. The calculator doesn't take much room, so it can be kept within arm's reach without getting in the way, quickly gives me the numbers I need, without demanding I become fully engaged with it.

Also, those old HP buttons are just so nice to press, a refreshing break from the dead flat glass you get everywhere else these days.

Re: Ask HN: Do you still use physical calculators?

#43

There's a farm here in Zurich where we buy a lot of our groceries. The store is unmanned. You use their calculator (or your cellphone calculator) to add up what you're buying then use your phone to scan a QR code and pay.

That’s so cool, I wish something like this existed in the states. That’s the kind of trust local communities thrive in <3

Re: Ask HN: Do you still use physical calculators?

#44
For over a decade I've been using emulators of the calculators I grew up using on all my android phones. I see no point in changing my "weird" ways.

I use RealCalc for most things (RPN style). Has many functions like a scientific, but I mostly stick to the basic four and it also converts units.

I switch to Graph89 when I need a graph/table involving trig or polynomial approximations. Sometimes I'll even write a basic program. If I'm using this app I probably also have measuring tools out for a DIY project.

I go to spreadsheets for anything beyond that using "Office: Planmaker". It handles the xlsx format perfectly! That's how I do my monthly budget, health tracking, etc. For reasons beyond my understanding, some people are still impressed seeing proper full-featured spreadsheets done quickly on a phone.

Re: Ask HN: Do you still use physical calculators?

#46

Oh dude, no. The instant I could start using something like https://www.wolframalpha.com/ in college over a decade ago, I did. I've never, not once in my life, had any desire to use a physical calculator when I could use a full blown computer instead. I think it's inferior even for pedagogy purposes - I can't screenshot and make Anki cards out of a TI-84.

I tried using my WolframAlpha in high school but I had no idea what I was doing and it felt way too complicated, but in college it is a game changer and I still use it to do school work. Totally agree!

Re: Ask HN: Do you still use physical calculators?

#48

There's a farm here in Zurich where we buy a lot of our groceries. The store is unmanned. You use their calculator (or your cellphone calculator) to add up what you're buying then use your phone to scan a QR code and pay.

That’s so cool, I wish something like this existed in the states. That’s the kind of trust local communities thrive in <3

I know a few farmstands here that operate on the honor system. Put $5 in the box, take your bag of apples. You have to go a bit out of your way, but they do exist in the States.

Re: Ask HN: Do you still use physical calculators?

#49

There's a farm here in Zurich where we buy a lot of our groceries. The store is unmanned. You use their calculator (or your cellphone calculator) to add up what you're buying then use your phone to scan a QR code and pay.

That’s so cool, I wish something like this existed in the states. That’s the kind of trust local communities thrive in <3

Lots of farm stands in NY’s North Country operate like this.

With Zelle, etc, there’s no box of cash sitting out and you don’t need to worry about making change.

Re: Ask HN: Do you still use physical calculators?

#50
post #21

I don't, but I sometimes see them used here in Japan. Some small-shop operators use them to add up charges and show the total to the customer. I was recently in the office of a small company, and I noticed that the bookkeeper had a calculator next to a pile of paper (receipts?) on her desk. She also had a computer in front of her with a spreadsheet on the screen. When I moved here forty-three years ago, it was common…

> There's still an abacus school

(I'm in the US) I remember being taught how to use an abacus when I was in grade school. Not kidding. I'm not so old that they were used anywhere in real life. I believe the whole point was to teach different ways that calculating can be done. A little horizon expansion.

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