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ibook_steve · Mar 15, 2011, 06:26 PM

I'm looking for an app similar to the Mac OS X calculator app (not the widget) that can be a scientific calculator as well as a programmer's calculator (for quick hex to binary to decimal conversion). There are a ton of calculators in the store and I have no idea which one(s) are any good. Can anybody recommend one or a few? Graphing calculator features would be a bonus that I don't need, but would be nice to have.

I'm tired of replacing the watch batteries in my old Casio fx-7700G calculator (21 years old and still working)!

Thanks,
Steve

chabig · Mar 15, 2011, 08:53 PM

My long time favorite is PCalc.

ibook_steve · Mar 16, 2011, 01:54 AM

iPhone apps, not Mac apps.

But yes, Pcalc has always been nice, the iPhone version looks nice, and I've used it in the past. But $10 for a calculator?

Steve

ghporter · Mar 16, 2011, 05:51 AM

Pcalc comes with more universal constants than any other calculator... And how can you say no to an app that starts out with the answer to "life, the universe and everything" all built in?

Seriously, I haven't found anything the built in iPhone calculator doesn't handle for me. On the other hand, the landscape/scientific mode doesn't do the kind of conversions you're talking about, so it doesn't fit your needs.

angelmb · Mar 16, 2011, 05:57 AM

I'm tired of replacing the watch batteries in my old Casio fx-7700G calculator (21 years old and still working)!

Nice one. I have two fx-8000G. I get the batteries from a friend working at Casio

TouchCalc, the app you want to download.
TouchCalc for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

P · Mar 16, 2011, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by angelmb

Nice one. I have two fx-8000G. I get the batteries from a friend working at Casio

TouchCalc, the app you want to download.
TouchCalc for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

Do you type in formulas in the same way as you do on those Casios? It doesn't look like that from the screen shots.

I have an fx-9700, and while it works well (although I rarely use it anymore), it's quite large and the screen is very scratched by now. I'd love to have some of that power in my iPhone, but I got addicted to writing formulas in the natural way, so that's one feature I need.

ibook_steve · Mar 16, 2011, 11:59 AM

The fx-7700g has a nice sliding cover that you slide off when you want to use it, turn it around, and slide it back on the calculator. Very nice and has kept the screen pristine.

I don't need to enter formulas anymore, so it's not a big deal for me.

Just installed Touchcalc. Nice, and it's by the guy who does iCab, but it doesn't have a landscape mode! No paper tape is not a deal breaker for me, but it would be nice to have. I think I may stick with it, but if anybody has any other suggestions...

Steve

chabig · Mar 16, 2011, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by ibook_steve

iPhone apps, not Mac apps.

Sorry Steve. I missed that. On the iPhone, there are some really nice HP calculator emulations.

P · Mar 16, 2011, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by ibook_steve

The fx-7700g has a nice sliding cover that you slide off when you want to use it, turn it around, and slide it back on the calculator. Very nice and has kept the screen pristine.

The 9700 has the same design (except the display is slightly wider) but I used to chuck it into a backpack for school for years. Stuff got in between the cover and the display and scratched it.

hayesk · Mar 29, 2011, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by ibook_steve

iPhone apps, not Mac apps.

I don't understand why you said this? As you noted below, it is an iPhone app.

But yes, Pcalc has always been nice, the iPhone version looks nice, and I've used it in the past. But $10 for a calculator?

Worth it. $10 is peanuts if you use a calculator often.

ibook_steve · Mar 30, 2011, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by hayesk

I don't understand why you said this? As you noted below, it is an iPhone app.

Worth it. $10 is peanuts if you use a calculator often.

The link was to the Mac App store, not the iTunes iOS app store.

Steve

cgc · Mar 30, 2011, 05:59 PM

I bought PowerOne's calculator and think it's great but have wanted PCalc for a while. Finally broke down and got it a couple days ago and couldn't be happier. Plus the developer personally responded to my emailed question and was both quick and super helpful.

Person Man · Apr 8, 2011, 08:40 AM

If you want a good programmer's calculator, check out 64 Bit Calculator.

Well worth the $2.99, in my opinion.

subego · Apr 8, 2011, 05:52 PM

Ahhh! My eyes!!!

ibook_steve · Apr 8, 2011, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by subego

Ahhh! My eyes!!!

Agreed, that looks pretty ugly.

Steve

subego · Apr 8, 2011, 07:31 PM

Another vote here for PCalc. At least it can be pretty.

Note: this isn't the programmer's layout.

subego · 07:31 AM

Here's the programmer's layout, set to an eye-searing theme since that seems so popular.

I think you can buy this layout for a buck or two as an in-app purchase from PCalc Lite if you don't want to drop the whole $10. Ten is the price if you automatically want all the options and add-ons.