Best basic office calculators according to redditors

I remember a story from roman time (or at least really long ago, I'm not a history person) where a boat was built with half the workers using 11 inch/foot measurements and the other half using 12 inch/foot measurements. Needless to stay the boat didn't make it out of harbor. Then there's this.

Wrongulator

You're not kidding... I looked up "grade school calculator" and, the first one that popped up is exactly the same as what I remember from over 25 years ago.

Man, I loved playing with the slide covers on those things.

For anyone wondering, these calculators have a built in piano. https://www.amazon.com/Function-Electronic-Calculator-12-Digits-Launchpad/dp/B076HVG4NM

OP probably has a couple of these badboys mounted up for quality mathematical shower thoughts.

https://www.amazon.com/Function-Electronic-Calculator-12-Digits-Launchpad/dp/B076HVG4NM

Wrongulator

Edit: and Amazon link

Kinda relevant

Found the calculator - https://www.amazon.com/Egoelife-Musical-Desktop-Calculator-12-Digits/dp/B076WWTM2P/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1550415542&sr=8-2&keywords=calculator+that+plays+sounds

>He CLEARLY said they were 1yr into the project then. So 2017 is year 6. So, 4 yrs late (delivery date was 11/2014).

Ditch your calculator Smart...

It's still true.

This thing probably draws as much power as a blender. You'd save money by buying an equally rugged solar powered TI-108. They cost $9 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Instruments-TI-108-Elementary/dp/B001F0271O

If you're looking for a writing gadget that's still portable but a bit bigger, I just wanted to mention the Alphasmart Neo 2. It's basically a full-sized keyboard with a built-in word processor that stores a couple hundred pages of text and that's it. Coincidentally powered by Palm OS. It connects to your PC as a USB keyboard, and when you hit the "send" button, it types out the contents of its text buffer into the word processor of your choice on your PC. I picked one up for $40 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Neo2-Alphasmart-Processor-Keyboard-Calculator/dp/B00T0ZG06O

Casio fx-260 solar

What you are looking for is an "AR-7778 musical calculator" (amazon link)

In no particular order:

• Poker chips, one set for smaller games (pictures from before I converted to gray 20s), another set for larger games. For more details on poker chip choice, see this thread.
  
• Cheap plastic poker chip trays for away games. Or nicer custom-made ones for home games.
  
• Priority deal marker.
  
• Large button solar calculators for everyone. (I like/use these) Also pencil and paper for everyone.
  
• Perspex/acrylic sheet to place over paper maps.
  
• Plastic tubs to replace game boxes.
  
• Pencil and paper for end-game paper spreadsheets.
  
• Lemmi's moderator.
  
• Heavy lumps (in this case of brass and stainless steel) to hold down light-weight maps.
  
• Portable halogen lights for playing games at poorly lit conventions. (We had two parallel games of 18C2C there)
  
• Track-tile trays. (These trays work well -- just cut the hinges to remove the lids. The compartments are large enough to hold larger numbers of tiles without slopping over and you can then hold the lids on for storage between games using a band or tie)

If you really want a basic four function, I recommend the Casio MX-8B. $11.50 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DZW979E (Don't accidentally order the GX-120B on the same page).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0006L25FQ

https://support.casio.com/en/manual/004/MS-8B_etc_WA_EN.pdf

The Casio MX-8B has large, high quality keys, a large display, and because it is solar/battery, the LR44 button cell battery will last for at least five years for a typical user. The Casio JW-200 and HP12C calcs recommended elsewhere on this page are both fine calculators but have more features that the basic four functions you specified.

HOWEVER...

I am now going to try to talk you out of using a basic four function.

The Calculated Industries Model 4019 Material Estimator is allowed in the exam, is super high quality, and will be something that you will find to be an invaluable tool when you actually start working a job. $26.17 on Amazon and Home Depot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXtR5ohckyw

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014CL0LG

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Calculated-Industries-Material-Estimator-Calculator-4019/100648120

https://www.calculated.com/mobile/prd206/Material-Estimator-4019-Building-Materials-Calculator.html

https://www.contractorbookwarehouse.com/Material-Estimator-4019-p/4019.htm

Note: Many home builders who do a lot of stair work prefer the Calculated Industries Model 4065 Construction Master Pro, but I am not sure that one is allowed in the exam.

https://www.calculated.com/mobile/prd101/Construction-Master-Pro-4065-Construction-Calculator.html

That's way too much, this is all you need. Big buttons so it's easy to use. Anything more than basic arithmetic then it should go in excel where it gets documented in your workpaper.

Casio waterproof and dustproof calculator WM-320MT-N mini just type 12 digits https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UKF75SK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SFQyDb1ZDVMN4

The ones on the end at AR-8001, the three on the middle are AR-7778.

Edit: here's an Amazon listing. Change the colour to find the 8001

https://www.amazon.com/Egoelife-Musical-Desktop-Calculator-12-Digits/dp/B076WWTM2P?th=1&psc=1

An Alpha Smart Neo 2 with a nightlight might be an option. Just plug it into a computer later and it'll transfer all the text over. Useful in lots of other situations where you want to write without the distractions offered by modern devices too.

That's like saying this calculator and this calculator are the same thing because they're both calculators.

$30 used on amazon, that's a steal

Might also be able to save text as "draft e-mails on" this or this

I think that's a great project to start with. I have done something similar. I bought this calculator and took it apart. I replaced the switches with Kailh Box Navies but I wouldn't recommend any box stem switches with this unless you're up for cutting your keycaps to fit. Also, you won't be able to put your own caps on this because the PCB doesn't have standard spacing. If those are all deal breakers for you, the ducky pocket is your best bet.

With CASIO calculator keys.

Ask and you shall receive.

One of these, perhaps?
https://www.amazon.com/Neo2-Alphasmart-Processor-Keyboard-Calculator/dp/B00T0ZG06O

Someone in the other thread found this https://www.amazon.com/Egoelife-Musical-Desktop-Calculator-12-Digits/dp/B076WWTM2P/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1550415542&sr=8-2&keywords=calculator+that+plays+sounds

Get a gold one and he will be the envy of the AV club

https://www.amazon.ca/Casio-Databank-CA506G-9AVT-Calculator-Watch/dp/B01HSD6CQM/ref=sr_1_7?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1543548973&sr=8-7&keywords=Casio+CA-53W-1Z&refinements=p_85%3A5690392011

You'd be interested in the Wrongulator....
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005K97THS/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/Casio-waterproof-dustproof-calculator-WM-320MT-N/dp/B00UKF75SK

Start thinking only in solutions. Don't dwell on things you believe you can't do, like not being able to read or write. Think about what you can effectively do to write, try things out, different things, different situation, try to find a place where reading/writing for you is managable.

​

About writing; I have trouble in getting distracted. I write best when I write on an Alphasmart (https://www.amazon.com/Neo2-Alphasmart-Processor-Keyboard-Calculator/dp/B00T0ZG06O) .(Mobile physical wordprocessor with no internet access) This is best done in an empty room or in public.

If you are going to spend 150$, get the NSpire CX II. It is actually cheaper but just a better calculator, as well as much newer

TI-Nspire CX II Color Graphing Calculator with Student Software https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SDG5719/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CccADbTCWH9PS

It's not a bad idea to do this to make sure you haven't been given one of these.

"When calculator and computer connection, install batteries, you can click "connect" button to connect to the computer, and then you can press the "send" key calculation results will be sent to the computer."

Holy shit, now I want one too. I thiiiink there are also scientific calculators that can do this...

https://www.amazon.com/Focus-Wireless-Calculator-Financial-Accounting/dp/B01N1Q2BP0/ref=sr_1_4

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-FX260SLRSC-Scientific-Calculator/dp/B000Q5XTBQ/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1347407864&sr=8-11&keywords=calculator

Used only in Radian mode.

What's your budget?
You could buy a used ThinkPad.
An x230 ca go for about £150 on ebay and is an insane bargain. Those things can run win10 just fine, as far back as the x200, which is even cheaper. The keyboards are phenomenal- I had an x230 which unfortunately broke, and now I'm typing on a newer thinkpad.

Or you could get a cheap bluetooth keyboard on amazon- there's a lot of good ones.

If you prefer writing on a pc, you may consider a mini prebuilt pc such as a pi or an intel nuk, and get a keyboard for that.

Perhaps you could use a library computer? Those generally are free to use, and you could save your work on the flash drive.

If your laptop was new/you had a warranty/ it had a barcode of some sort, perhaps you could contact the company it is made by? They may offer you a discount or even a replacement (though that's kinda rare).

Bluetooth keyboard or ThinkPad is my go-to though.

Actually, an even better solution could be a keyboard with a screen. There are some keyboards with small panels attatched that are used specifically for typing documents- they're fairly rudamentary but will work just fine. They can connect via usb most of the time and are very cheap. Try something like this

I hope this helps bro!

Edit: As others have suggested, use a cloud service for backups at least. I use OneDrive as it's built into windows and supports android and iOS, but Google Drive is also reliable and gives you more storage for free.

Apparently so

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WeatherWriter-WWCALC-Casio-Waterproof-Calculator/dp/B00X80Y9T2/ref=asc_df_B00X80Y9T2/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=205230364966&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8613986178582704805&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045491&hvtargid=pla-443406461911&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Wrongulator-Calculator-always-gives-answer/product-reviews/B005K97THS

Not quite. it's always wrong, so in theory, you would work that out pretty quickly. OP's calculator is only rarely wrong. That could cause some probs.

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-fx-260-SOLAR-Scientific-Calculator/dp/B000Q5XTBQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1451247787&sr=8-6&keywords=solar+power+calculator

could it use the solar / lamp powered tech that drives those credit card calculators?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CUJS5I2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_u.LYDbGEAJ4FX

... this one?

https://www.amazon.com/TI-Nspire-Graphing-Calculator-Student-Software/dp/B07SDG5719/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=ti+nspire+cx&qid=1573859874&sr=8-2

Can confirm, I used to use one similar to this - https://www.amazon.com/SHRQS2760H-QS-2760H-Two-Color-Printing-Calculator/dp/B01IPUZW04/ - at the restaurant I managed, super solid, it had mechanical key switches... I have never used a calculator I could be faster on until my Ducky one (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2247) however, the ducky one needs to be plugged in via usb, but it can be used as a numpad as well which is nice.

Texas can and they did...

For you nostalgic impulse buyers out there, it's on Amazon.

$8, free shipping. And that should be a clean non-referral link.

Quick stall her while we crack the launch codes and use it against her.
edit: Spelling.

http://www.amazon.com/Wrongulator-Calculator-always-gives-answer/dp/B005K97THS

Not actually a 4 function calculator but just about the same thing. This is what we’re required to use, department wide.

Casio fx-260 SOLAR Scientific Calculator, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q5XTBQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fCtGAbKWZ3YKV

I miss CAS :/

Let me introduce you to my buddy, the Alphasmart Neo, they don't make them any more so snap one up while you can. Endless battery life, instant on/off (no boot time), no distractions, no gimmicks except spellcheck, it saves every keystroke and stores up to 8 running files that sync to word.

Casio fx-260 SOLAR Scientific Calculator, Pink https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KD1S5SU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_PssIDb3538QZX

Depending on how much of hard asses testing services is at your school of pharmacy, you may not be able to use any calculator other than the ones provided by testing services during exams (I’d be surprised if they let you BYOC at any school).

The one linked above is the one we were provided. I had a fancy Ti but I went out and bought the calculator that I would be forced to test with. That way, as I do assignments and study, I’d also become a pro at using the calculator I would test with. Nothing worse than finally wrapping your head around a wordy TPN or compounding problem and then not being able to find the damn negative number button.

I went as far as buying the pink version to save a couple dollars (I’m a dude). My pink calculator has served me well through my first 3 years, haven’t needed much more than that basic scientific calculator.