Ask HN: Do you still use physical calculators?

#1

Post by speedylight » Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 9:34 AM UTC

I’ve noticed that most physical scientific and graphing calculators are easily outdone in terms of performance, capability and ease of use by the likes of Desmos and the default calculators on OS’es like the iOS, Android, and Windows.

It kind of makes me wonder whether people still use physical calculators from Texas Instruments, Casio, etc

If you do, I’d love to know why and how it is different/better for you than the ones I’ve mentioned and others like them and vice verse.

Cheers!

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

#2

Post by readingnews » Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 10:16 AM UTC

I have an old HP 15C RPN scientific calculator.

- I know where the buttons are without looking.

- It has functions my Android calculator does not have (directly or that I know of).

- It has a strange satisfying tactile feedback.

- It never interrupts me. Ever.

- It never distracts me. Ever.

I reach for it frequently.

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

#3

Post by andersa » Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 10:26 AM UTC

Haven't used one since the day I finished school. I still have it though. It's like an artifact from another time...

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

#4

Post by LeoPanthera » Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 10:26 AM UTC

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 fx-9910CW is the replacement. They made the buttons circular. Weird.

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

#5

Post by KellyCriterion » Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 10:26 AM UTC

Does Windows Calc.exe count as well? :-))

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

#6

Post by agumonkey » Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 10:29 AM UTC

Mines are stored, but I use the hp48 emulator regularly.

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

#7

Post by comrade1234 » Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 10:29 AM UTC

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.

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

#8

Post by rippeltippel » Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 10:29 AM UTC

My kids often use their hands, I sometimes use paper and pencil

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

#9

Post by intoXbox » Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 10:33 AM UTC

I still use a high school calculator for doing pen and paper maths. Stuff like figuring out when functions change sign. I find it less distracting than a code editor

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

#10

Post by mschuster91 » Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 10:33 AM UTC

I actually own one, a Casio. Simple reason, I'm a ham radio operator and you need one for the exams.