12CP Review
At a Glance
Our Verdict
Best for
Finance professionals, real estate agents, and business/finance students who value robust functionality and the option of RPN entry.
Value
Good
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Overview
The HP 12CP is a professional-grade financial calculator that builds upon the legacy of the iconic HP 12C by adding an algebraic entry mode and expanded functionality, making it more accessible while retaining powerful financial and statistical capabilities. It's a robust tool for finance professionals and students, offering a blend of traditional HP quality and modern convenience.
Detailed Review
Key Features
- Dual-entry mode: Algebraic and Reverse Polish Notation (RPN)
- Time Value of Money (TVM) calculations
- Cash flow analysis (NPV, IRR)
- Bond calculations (price, yield, accrued interest)
- Depreciation methods (Straight-line, Sum-of-Years' Digits, Declining Balance)
- Statistical functions (mean, standard deviation, linear regression)
- Date calculations
- Break-even analysis
- Keystroke programming (up to 99 steps)
- Durable, professional-grade build quality
Reasons to Buy
- Offers both RPN and Algebraic entry modes, catering to diverse user preferences.
- Comprehensive suite of financial and statistical functions for professional use.
- Excellent build quality and tactile keys, typical of HP calculators.
- Efficient for complex calculations, especially for users proficient in RPN.
- Long battery life and robust design for reliability.
Reasons to Avoid
- Single-line display can be limiting for reviewing complex inputs or results.
- Higher price point compared to some entry-level financial calculators.
- RPN mode, while powerful, has a steeper learning curve for new users.
- No graphing or advanced CAS capabilities, which are not expected but worth noting for comparison.
Technical Specifications
- display type
- LCD
- screen size
- 1-line, 10-digit
- battery type
- CR2032 (typically 2)
- power source
- Battery
- number of functions
- Over 120
- programming capability
- yes
- graphing capability
- no
- CAS
- no
- connectivity
- None
- dimensions
- 12.7 x 7.87 x 1.52 cm (approx.)
- weight
- 113.4 g (approx.)
- build quality
- High-quality plastic casing, tactile and durable keys
At a Glance
Our Verdict
Best for
Finance professionals, real estate agents, and business/finance students who value robust functionality and the option of RPN entry.
Value
Good
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.