Where in NYC can I buy an HP 12C Platinum calculator, today?

June 4, 2009 1:24 AM

CFAfilter: Where in NYC to buy HP 12C Platinum, today?

It's gotta be today. Need to start using it ASAP. It's just going to be a back-up for my BA II Plus Pro, but I want to program some functions as well. There must be some way it'll do the geo mean, I mean, really, TI, really? Sorry, anyone taking the CFA might be able to relate here, for the rest of you it's just crazy ol' me anyway.

I'm overnighting it via Amazon (could cancel that prior to preparing shipment if someone can [virtually] guarantee me I can get it at X store today sooooon =), but would like to have in hand today and will figure out returns later. I've done a search of Best Buy(no), CompUsa (no), B&H (no), Staples(no), not sure on J&R, any other suggestions, have I missed anything? I'll be callin' before I head out. I only want the Platinum.

So, Metafilter, start me on my quest for calculator. Where can I buy this computational beast in midtown, bklyn, queens -- maybe even jerz? Have bike, have raincoat, will travel. But there's still studying to be done, so it's a race against time :o)

Thanks in advance. And GL to anyone taking any level this Sat, June 6. *Fist pump*

posted by xiaolongbao to shopping (9 comments total)

It doesn't seem that you really need one other than an extra battery for your current calculator, you might be stressing out a little here. I'd also point out that the input mode for the 12C is non standard (Reverse Polish Notation), so trying to learn it a couple days before the test might not be a good idea.

I'm surprised you can't find one actually, especially at staples, since going to their website yields this:

http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p1_HP-12c-Programmable-Financial-Calculator_10322_Business_Supplies_10051_SEARCH, and the 425 Park Ave location is listed as having them available. I'm guessing this is inaccurate?

FWIW You don't need the platinum. I took the CFA with the plan old 12C and did fine.

Good luck on Saturday, glad I'm done with it :)
posted by teabag at 4:27 AM on June 4

Thanks, teabag. Not stressing, and all set on the calc front basically, just want to have it in hand today so I can start programming the specific functions I want to make the test fly by a bit faster (6 hrs is a long time, i'd like to do that geo. mean automatically rather than by hand, etc. etc.). This is also due to my nerdiness :) I'll check the staples again - didn't think they had it for some reason. thanks again, and anyone else who has suggestions please chime in!
posted by xiaolongbao at 4:35 AM on June 4

While there will certainly be calculations, I think you'll be surprised how many questions are like: " What's higher, the geometric or arithmetic mean?"

It's really. annoying.

Again, good luck ;)
posted by teabag at 4:41 AM on June 4

Wait did they change the rules? You can program functions into your calc?

Also seconding learning Polish notation in 2 days isn't reasonable
posted by JPD at 4:45 AM on June 4

I assumed s/he was smarter than me, I've been sitting here with my 12C trying to figure out how to program it :(
posted by teabag at 5:14 AM on June 4

I have an extra one if you want to buy it. Mefi mail me. I'm in Midtown.
posted by Frank Grimes at 5:21 AM on June 4

The geometric mean is rather easy to calculate.

BAII calculator seems easy enough to use for me. Good luck on Sat.
posted by dfriedman at 7:23 AM on June 4

The deal with the 12C .vs. the 12C Plat is that you can choose Algebraic instead of RPN as your entry method. No RPN learning curve.

The Plat is MUCH faster computationally and has some nice features, but damn, it's ugly. I have both, but the 12C is the one you'll have to pry from my cold, dead hands.

Good luck on your test.
posted by Incognita at 8:10 AM on June 4

Hey all, thanks for the answers. Frank, you da best. Actually, I ended up DMing a friend (omg twitter has taken over my life) and he's gonna lend me one. If it ends up to be a non-platinum, can I still take you up on that, Frank? Will there be much of a difference btwn the two? My understanding was it's mostly a speed thing, i.e. claims to be 6x faster?

Yeah, yeah, I know, geomean isn't a big deal. But that's just an example. I want push-button functionalities...and yes, I do consider myself to be a rather smart cookie. I've RTMF FWIW =)

Again, thank you all. Good luck to those sitting.
posted by xiaolongbao at 9:20 AM on June 4