On 2010-02-02 Jaewoo Kim, Santa Monica, CA wrote: This was a breakthrough financial calculator when it was released in the early 1980s. They have improved on the original version mainly by making it much faster and making the digits go to 10 places. There are MANY financial calculators, including from HP, which are just as capable and but are much cheaper. HP can charge higher price of this calculator because it has reached an iconic ´THE financial calculator´ status and because so many financial professionals use it and most of them do not want to bother learning to use an another calculator. So if cost is a concern, then I do not recommend this calculator.
This calculator, along with TI BA II Plus Professional, are the only two calculators allowed for the CFA exam. So if you are studying for your CFA, you will need to practice with one of the two. I have both calculators and they are both excellent choices. Some say HP 12C is better because of RPN and it requires fewer keystrokes. True, but that advantage is negated by HP 12c´s fewer buttons and since each button must perform 3 separate functions, one may occasionally punch more buttons to perform the same calculations on HP 12C than on TI BA II Plus Pro. HP 12C Platinum is just as fast in financial calculations as BA II Plus Pro. The TI BA II Plus Pro, however, is just as effective at half the cost. The main advantage of HP 12C is its RPN capability and the ´The financial calculator´ factor. It is also smaller than TI BA II Plus Pro.
This calculator performs most of the statistics functions which are largely done using Excel (or its equivalent) these days. Its statistics functions are lacking a Z table. Most scientific calculators have a Z table but not business calculators. So if you are looking for a true statistics calculator, then I recommend a scientific calculator that allows data entry and a large screen size such as HP 50g.
Overall, I am happy with this calculator and I have learned to love the RPN for its efficiency. . And summed up by saying Great for Finance, Weak for Statistics. Currently HP 12C Platinum Financial Calculator has an overall rating of 8 over 10.
HP 12C Platinum Financial Calculator can also be found in the following searches:
Hewlett Packard claimed HP 12c Platinum is a faster, enhanced version of the industry-leading 12c calculator designed for the financial professional who demands more. Enjoy both RPN and Algebraic modes of entry, keystroke programming with four times more memory for up to 400 steps and more-than 130 built-in functions. There are now advanced editing features like the new ´Undo´ and ´Backspace´ buttons. Plus six times faster speeds for calculating TVM, loan payments, interest rates, standard deviation and more. Work more efficiently with memory for up to 80 cash flows. Ideal for real estate, finance, accounting, economics and business work. The easy-to-use layout and stylish look with metal back plate suitable for engraving make it a welcome addition to any desktop or a great gift idea. Permitted for use on the CFP and CFA Certification Exams, and GARP FRM Exam. You also get the reassurance of award-winning HP support available to you 24-hours a day, as well as an enhanced website with tutorials, educational resources and downloads.
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