Calculator

Downloaded an electronic version of the HP-12c calculator for my computer. You know what, this pocket-size gadget is HP's all-time best-selling product, and is still in production since it was first introduced in 1981.

Well, for those who are brought up with CASIO 3600p, Americans are difficult to understand - there is not even an "=" button on the keyboard. Nonetheless it is a superb instrument to work on mortgage and bonds and compound interest payments. Although similar calculations could be achieved - and in a more speedy way - by spreadsheets (such as Excel), many practising professions in the financial sector still find this little piece of metal handy and user-friendly.

Talking about speed, the original HP-12c was actually rather slow in calculation - as compared to other newer models. Nonetheless, to be quick is not always good. In the late 1980's, the HP's market research actually found that the users (alas, thick-head financial analysts) did not trust results obtained too quickly, and so - despite rapid advances in the computer chip technology over the years - the CPU speed of HP-12c was not improved for nearly 20 years.

PS. Many general physicians have the romantic idea that nephrologist always carries a calculator for electrolyte and acid-base problems. Well, I have one in my office - it is a Texas Instrument BA-II-Plus professional financial calculator. By looking at the name you could imagine how often I use it for serious acid-base computations.