HP 12C Platinum Financial Calculator, 1 Line x 10 Characters LCD Display, Battery Powered

2023-05-25T20:00:00

My criticism is reading the lettering on some (not all) of the keys. My eyesight might not be the best. But I wear corrective glasses.

Jim D.

Originally posted at

2022-06-02T20:00:00

I have used calculators for 50 years. Many brands. I had several HP calculators, but not the 12C (I favored the programmer and scientific models). The 12C I purchased, May 2022, recalls all of my satisfaction with HP calculators.

Bob G.

Originally posted at

2022-03-21T20:00:00

Does what it was designed to do and fast. It's size allows for carrying with and using when pulling out a computer doesn't make sense.

Nik K.

Originally posted at

2022-02-08T19:00:00

There are just a few reasons I can't give the HP 12c Platinum edition 5 stars. First, the web site does not make it clear or easy to discover that there is a new, non-Platinum edition that outperforms the Platinum edition! Second, the graphics on the original are superior to the Platinum edition; they are easier to read and have more contrast. Third, there is one missing feature for all 12c editions; the value of Pi is not built in. There is plenty of unused "shift" (f or g) space left on the keyboard so this would be an easy fix. I suggest "shift f RCL" as the candidate as a solution for the future.

Greg G.

Originally posted at

2021-09-26T20:00:00

I've been using my new 12c Platinum for a few weeks with no real complaints. It is obviously magnitudes quicker than my original 12c (1981, still running) but I never really was bothered by the 2 or 3 blinks during amortization calcs on the original. Like others, I will say the new 12cp doesn't "feel" as solid as the original; the keys have a good click, but sound hollow. The fancy case seems very sturdy, but definitely takes it out of the "shirt pocket" category. I like the business card holder feature. I am one of those original 12c users who went well over 10 years before first battery replacement, so I am curious how long this unit will go with the two CR2032's. I wish I could give the 12cp a 4.9 stars rating because it is still a fantastic tool, but just slightly disappointed in the overall quality.

Central S.

Originally posted at

2021-07-24T20:00:00

Buttons work so well (it was made in Phillipinas). Screen is not too shine but it is fine. The only bad thing is that I paid extra money for express delivery (2-3 BD) but they delivered after 4 days?

Dave_kzr

Originally posted at

2021-07-20T20:00:00

I bought the calculators.about one month ago. So far they operate perfectly well contrary to negative reviews posted on the internet.

Onos

Originally posted at

2021-06-25T20:00:00

I have two HP 12c from 1983. One still works fine, the other's display went bad. I bought the HP 12CP to replace. WOW. The speed is way faster. Only adjustment I needed to make is with the Last-X now using + key instead of Enter key. Great job, HP.

Dusty T.

Originally posted at

2021-05-18T20:00:00

The HP 12C sets the bar for financial calculators, and nothing else comes close. It has all the functions needed for every purpose.

flaval

Originally posted at

2021-02-17T19:00:00

The first 12C lasted for about 20-25 years. I bought the Platinum and it lasted a a few years then the 0 key stopped working. It's a shame the original was an outstanding product.

Bob1977

Originally posted at

2020-02-20T19:00:00

My 1992 vintage HP 12C finally turned on for the last time. Replacement is the 12C Platinum, which I bought for less than I paid in 1992 and has done all I have sked it for in the past week.,

GFB3

Originally posted at

2020-01-03T19:00:00

This was a Christmas gift for a friend who is studying Accounting. I am so glad you still make the 12C, I like it so much more than the TI model her school recommended. And I like the flexibility of the Platinum model, where you can switch back and forth between RPN and Algebraic.

Son B.

Originally posted at

2019-12-18T19:00:00

I got one right when they came out in 1981 for school. It was perfect easy to use and actually worked to perfection for me. Then because of old age they stopped working. I tried to use calculators online but the feel was just not there. I am so happy that I made the plunge and bought a brand new hp 12c.

Miracle M.

Originally posted at

2019-08-17T20:00:00

I originally had a 12C that I bought in 1984 while doing graduate MBA studies. I replaced the batteries maybe twice in 22 years. However, in 2006 I couldn't get it to work one day. No display, no nothing. I replaced batteries and nothing again so I bought the new 12C Platinum model. After about three years I noticed that the keys on the Platinum required extra effort to get them to work. I struggled along for another year when my son found an old 12C in the garbage can at work. It was missing the battery compartment door, but the device worked perfectly. I have used that since, about ten years. Finally the keys have started wearing out on that relic. I was going to consider buying a new 12C version of the calculator but have been discouraged by all the negative ratings these devices are receiving. Apparently the decision to make all new units in China is beginning to take it's toll. I'll have to do some research and perhaps find an American made product or a foreign made unit that isn't an atrocious piece of poor quality material as found in today's new HP models. Incidentally, with manufacturing going to China and labor rates there being extremely lower than labor in the USA, the prices didn't reflect a commensurate drop from when they were made here. So, the consumer is stuck with an inferior item at the same price. However, if the manufacturing is ever brought back to the US, I'm sure the price will skyrocket again. I guess it's called fleecing the customer. What further bothers me here on the HP site is that only a small percentage of the adverse (low ratings) comments ever receive a response from the HP staff. I surmise that management doesn't care about what the customer thinks.

Bosco K.

Originally posted at

2019-01-25T19:00:00

I have had and used the 12C since it was introduced in the 1980's - one for home office and the other for office. Unfortunately after over 30 years of use, the one in the office failed. I purchased the Platinum and I like it better than the original. It is amazing that essentially the same electronic product is still available after over 30 years. I even have the 12C app on my phone, but it is not as good as the dedicated 12C calculator. As an accountant and real estate professional, the 12C financial Calculator with reverse polish notation (RPN) is my calculator of choice.

HDF19

Originally posted at

2018-11-11T19:00:00

the buttons on my old hp12C platinum stopped responding after 12 years of almost daily use. replaced with a new one recently and so far so good. it is my favorite calculator and didn't even consider getting a different one.

DannyNova

Originally posted at

2018-07-01T20:00:00

It has the same keys and functions as the original HP 12C but the case it comes in, is horrible. The old one had better quality; specifically with the material that is used. They also added a business card viewer/holder to the front of the case which I don't care for. All in all - it's a great calculator. I just wished they hadn't skimped on the leather case.

MonicaL

Originally posted at

2018-06-22T20:00:00

I used my original 12C until the feet dropped off. Six months ago I bought one Platinum and one regular 12C from HP. The regular 12C was so bad I threw it in the trash and bought this Platinum. The number keys on the regular did not contact and register the number even though it would click; this happened about one every six numbers, a frustrating disaster. But the Platinum is rock solid. So it must be a manufacturing difference. My Platinum says made in Philippines and the regular in China. Avoid the regular at all cost. And I like the backspace key on this Platinum.

Lou1

Originally posted at

2017-11-05T19:00:00

NO, it is not working, I want to return it

JSMjs

Originally posted at

2017-10-23T20:00:00

This calculator can do anything. The manual is very helpful and easy to navigate.

LucyJ

Originally posted at

2017-10-17T20:00:00

Recommended for my finance class. Switchable from Reverse Polish Logic to Algebraic input. Performs as required. Examples provided in User Manual have errors in them but once you understand the inputs required, becomes intuitive.

Jagg

Originally posted at

2017-07-06T20:00:00

Welcome to the Cult of RPN. I needed a financial calculator, and was initially just intrigued by RPN, now I can't imagine doing calculations without it. Love the form factor of this calculator. It truly is a joy to hold and use. The buttons are so satisfyingly "clicky". I'm sure the the 17bii is a fantastic calculator too, and will at some stage pick one up to compare. For the functions I use it for I could not be happier. Programming is simple and intuitive. TVM, depreciation and days between dates I use often and are simple and quick. I like it enough that I bought a second one, just incase anything should ever happen to the first.

GeustyBruce

Originally posted at

2017-06-18T20:00:00

I have been using the 12C for 15+ years. Features have always been great. However, in the last few years they must be cutting corners on manufacturing. Buttons don't always record numbers when pressed. This causes constant errors and frustration. Calculations are correct, but have to press buttons multiple times to enter data. Would buy from TI if they had calculator with same functions.

LosAltosJim

Originally posted at

2017-06-09T20:00:00

Excellent product, while the boldness & contrast is not quite where I'd like to see it, it is much better than the gold 12c I've ben using for the past decade. It is extremely fast and an exceptional calculator.

Lar13

Originally posted at

2017-04-20T20:00:00

Faster than the 12c. Very happy to do quick calculations for customers or CFP exam

Gadgetgalbb

Originally posted at

2017-04-13T20:00:00

I've been using this calculator in my career in the real estate finance industry for 30 years. This is a nice upgrade to my older and slower HP purchased in the late 1980s.......reliable and sturdy as usual!

DKAppraiser

Originally posted at

2017-03-20T20:00:00

I've had my 12 C since the late 1980's. Came on line to get item number for battery replacement and I just had to add in my two cents.

RS27

Originally posted at

2015-07-28T20:00:00

The 12C is a wonderfully designed calculator for financial professionals. RPN is an efficient way to process calculations and the built-in equations functions are extremely useful. Unfortunately, my calculator's screen began to 'burn out' after about a year of use. The numbers displayed are no longer clear. Full disclosure, the calculator was heavily used over the last year #I was preparing for levels 1 and 2 of the CFA#. The unit was purchased new from Best Buy. The design is wonderful but the production execution is flawed. I will be purchasing another 12C but I hope this is not a continuous issue.

Finance

Originally posted at

2014-07-03T20:00:00

Bought as a gift for my son He loved it Had an older version

timetravelgirl

Originally posted at

2014-04-02T20:00:00

I have been using an HP 12C since my grad school days in the mid-1980s. I still had the original from then until just a few years ago when it was lost (or stolen?). I am now on my second replacement. The quality of materials and workmanship is definitely lower now than it was in 1985. The first replacement worked fine for 1-2 years then started yielding inexplicable and inconsistent errors in calculations. The second replacement - which I've only had for two years or so - now has a defective #1 key. The key doesn't fully spring back up when released and has to be pressed VERY HARD to get the #1 to register at all. Obviously, this makes it very difficult to achieve any sort of speed, which is one of the main advantages of RPN. I will be getting another replacement now, sadly knowing that it, too, will probably have to be replaced within a couple of years. Because of the price, it's hardly worth pursing the matter with HP, but I'm very disappointed in the quality of the current product. I downloaded an HP 12C app for use on my iPhone. It works fine, but it lacks the tactile sensation of the real thing, so the process of using it is much slower than on the real HP 12C.

Kaeup

Originally posted at