IBM Model M pocket calculator

The 10 Key Calculator by Sam Hecht (so called even though it clearly has 23) lops off the number pad from an old IBM Model M and transforms it into a haptical delight: a pocket calculator with solid chunk as your fingers dance mathematical equations across its surface. Better: you can connect it to your Mac or PC to function as a USB-driven number pad. £45.00 seems a bit steep, but this looks like it would be a delight to use, even if I have no idea what a "mu" button does.

10 Key Calculator [Design Museum Shop]

[#1 posted by Simon Greenwood , June 5, 2008 8:51 AM]

If you press the 'mu' button twice, it invokes the KLF.

[#2 posted by syllopsium , June 5, 2008 9:36 AM]

That's not a Model M keyboard - looks more like a mac keyboard.

A Model M uses a different font and point size, with deeper keys and a different colour. Other than that it's an exact match ;).

[#3 posted by strider_mt2k , June 5, 2008 9:39 AM]

I really like this!

It makes me wish I had an excuse to get one. :(

[#4 posted by azurefog , June 5, 2008 9:54 AM]

the MU button should be Memory Update - changes the value in the memory without having to delete it first.... but, IANAPCU (I Am Not A Pocket Calculator User).

[#5 posted by royaltrux , June 5, 2008 10:49 AM]

Built in clock tells you what time is love.

[#6 posted by strider_mt2k , June 5, 2008 11:07 AM]

Cue Kraftwerk:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ4gibgDPTc

[#7 posted by knifie_sp00nie , June 5, 2008 11:45 AM]

Unless it has buckling-spring keys, it has no relation to the model M. I can forgive it if it doesn't have the steel plate.

[#8 posted by Jack , June 5, 2008 12:11 PM]

Hmmm. Not too sure about the Mac compatibility. The MoMA Store in NYC carries them and they explicitly state "Not MAC compatible":

http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_10-Key%20Calculator_10451_10001_47099

[#9 posted by Anonymous , June 5, 2008 3:34 PM]

I'm pretty sure the "ten key" refers to the layout of the keys, not their quantity. It is commonly used on old adding machines and cash registers for blindingly fast touch typed nummeric data entry.

[#10 posted by zuzu , June 5, 2008 4:27 PM]

For double the price of an actual Model M keyboard, does it at least do Reverse Polish Notation (RPN)?

[#11 posted by cycle23 , June 5, 2008 7:42 PM]

What? A piece of hardware not supported by MAC?!? UNREAL!!!!

[#12 posted by Dustin Driver , June 6, 2008 12:13 AM]

@zuzu: My grandfather had a CCCP-era red-LED calculator that did Polish notation. I remember him showing me how to use it when I was, oh, about 10. Wish I knew where it was now.

[#13 posted by airship , June 6, 2008 6:49 AM]

If you want a Reverse-Polish LED calculator, you need go no further than the dozens of models HP produced back in the day. They still bring a nice price on teh eBay.

[#14 posted by Honad , June 6, 2008 10:56 AM]

I must have it.

[#15 posted by Anonymous , July 9, 2008 12:59 PM]

If you want RPN (Reverse Polish Notation), all you need to do is buy one of the current offerings made by Hewlitt Packard. They have quite a few calculators that will do RPN and the more common Algebraic entry method. I currently own 4 HP calcs & I hate using anything else.