What can these devices be? The PC in the titles could be a clue but then maybe not. They are both small and indeed both considerably less than £100. One thing they certainly are not is printers.
If you use a notebook computer what is it that you almost certainly
do not have? Okay enough of the cryptic clues they are numeric keypads
that are also calculators. As calculators they can be used away or
attached to the notebook. They are both 12 digit offerings with 29
keys. They work with solar or battery operation.
However turn the LS-120PC over and in the back you will find a 70cm
lead with a standard USB plug on one end and a micro USB plug on the
other, plug the latter into the port on the back of the calculator,
plug the former into your notebook and you have a calculator attached
to a PC. Now turn the calculator on and press the num lock button
on your notebook and the calculator display gives a line of dashes, all
numbers typed on the keypad are now shown on the screen of the PC.
Calculations are not carried out numeral keys display on the
computer in almost all applications and most other keys are dead with
the exception of the four keys at the top right of the calculator that
perform up, down, left and right as cursor keys. Press the PC/CAL
button and once again you have a calculator.
The LS-120PC is 13.5x10x3cm max and weights just over 100grams.
The LS-12PC is 12x7x1cm and weights around 50 grams. The USB
lead is the same but cannot logically be stored in the back of the
unit. This unit is around half the price of the LS-120PC.
The keys on the smaller LS-12PC are smaller but still quite useable
even by someone like me with stubby fingers. The actual number keys are
13x10mm on the LS-120PC and 9x7mm on the LS-12PC.
My own choice would be the smaller model as it is smaller and lighter and notebooks are generally used on the move.
As calculators the display was clear with characters being around
12mm tall. The larger unit does have a slightly forward tilted display
and an optional 15mm up tilt.
The first link is for the LS-12PC and the second for the LS-120PC.
These are both new products and I cannot find any street prices on any
of the usual sites I check. Canon prices are £33.95 for the LS-120P and £19.95 for the LS-12PC.
Links :
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Calculators/Handheld/LS-12PC/index.asp?ComponentID=39219&SourcePageID=26584#1
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Calculators/Desk_Display/LS-120PC/index.asp?ComponentID=39234&SourcePageID=26167#1
!!
Comment by James Wong, 15 Aug 2015 4:55