Sharp PC-1211

Datasheet legend
Ab/c: Fractions calculation
AC: Alternating current
BaseN: Number base calculations
Card: Magnetic card storage
Cmem: Continuous memory
Cond: Conditional execution
Const: Scientific constants
Cplx: Complex number arithmetic
DC: Direct current
Eqlib: Equation library
Exp: Exponential/logarithmic functions
Fin: Financial functions
Grph: Graphing capability
Hyp: Hyperbolic functions
Ind: Indirect addressing
Intg: Numerical integration
Jump: Unconditional jump (GOTO)
Lbl: Program labels
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display
LED: Light-Emitting Diode
Li-ion: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Lreg: Linear regression (2-variable statistics)
mA: Milliamperes of current
Mtrx: Matrix support
NiCd: Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable battery
NiMH: Nickel-metal-hydrite rechargeable battery
Prnt: Printer
RTC: Real-time clock
Sdev: Standard deviation (1-variable statistics)
Solv: Equation solver
Subr: Subroutine call capability
Symb: Symbolic computing
Tape: Magnetic tape storage
Trig: Trigonometric functions
Units: Unit conversions
VAC: Volts AC
VDC: Volts DC
Years of production:   Display type: Alphanumeric display  
New price:   Display color: Black  
    Display technology: Liquid crystal display 
Size: 3"×7"×½" Display size: 24 characters
Weight: 6 oz    
    Entry method: BASIC expressions 
Batteries: 4×"LR44" button cell Advanced functions: Trig Exp Cmem Snd 
External power:   Memory functions:  
I/O: Interface port     
    Programming model: BASIC 
Precision: 12 digits Program functions: Jump Cond Subr Lbl Ind  
Memories: 2200(0) bytes Program display: Text display  
Program memory: 2200 bytes Program editing: Text editor  
Chipset:   Forensic result: 8.99998153428  

pc1211.jpg (26404 bytes)This beautiful calculator is one of the first BASIC programmable pocket computers from Sharp. Its age is evident from the fact that the display is an early, yellow LCD; that characteristic color is due to an filter that was used to protect early liquid crystal displays from ultraviolet light.

Perhaps the only drawback of these calculators is the fact that there are no keyboard shortcuts; all advanced and scientific functions must be spelled out on the small QWERTY keyboard, making the machine slightly cumbersome to use.

Other than that, the PC-1211 is a pleasant, capable little BASIC calculator. With over two kilobytes of program memory, and efficient tokenized program storage, reasonably complex programs can be built. The external interface is used with a printer/cassette interface, letting the user save programs and create hardcopy output.

The programming model of this calculator is demonstrated by the following implementation of the Gamma function. This program computes the natural logarithm of the Gamma function for all positive and negative arguments to 10 digits of precision:

100:INPUT Z
110:S=SGN Z
120:X=ABS Z
130:G=1
140:IF X>5THEN 180
150:G=GX
160:X=X+1
170:GOTO 140
180:G=X*LN X-X+LN (√(2π/X)/G)+((((1/99/X/X-1/140)/X/X+1/105)/X/X-1/30)/X/X+1)/X/12
190:IF S>0THEN 220
200:RADIAN
210:G=LN (-π/Z/SIN πZ)-G
220:PRINT "LNG(Z)=",G