Monroe ULTIMATE Desktop 12 Digits Print/Display Calculator, IKT, Black

Monroe Ultimate Calculator:Pros: Solid but not too heavy, looks, feels and acts like an expensive piece of office equipment. Monroe name brand and reputation for quality. Internal calculator paper roll location (I hate external paper rolls); handles fast 10-key-by-touch data entry; fits well in limited space on my desk (14" x 9" longer than some but narrower than others); black color will not yellow like white often does; responsive keys, not crowded at all; Plus, Minus, Sub and Total keys to right of number keys, with Multiplication, Division, Percentage and other special keys to left (as many accountants prefer). The electronic spreadsheet feature has not been usable to me as an advanced Excel user, but the Time Card/Hours function is a great and rare addition. There was a clear adhesive label on the top of the calculator with Definable functions and a "cheat sheet" of functions such as FV, PV, Tax, Discounts, Time Card, Editing, Profit/Margin, Memory, and spreadsheet. While it is handy, the font is way too small to see from the distance that one would use the calculator. I removed the label with the idea of transferring it to a more usable piece of paper. Unfortunately, I should have put in on dark paper, not white, because the label font color is a light blue (in order to show up on the black calculator), and it is barely readable on white paper. It would have been nice to have this cheat sheet also in the manual, but no such luck. Because of the symbols, it would be very difficult to re-create and not worth my time.Cons: For whatever reason, this calculator places the decimal at the center of the line, not the bottom. It still bugs me even after using for the last few months, but I guess I am getting used to it. Also, this calculator throws out commas across the tape instead of decimals, in those instances where the operation is clearing or you are reviewing your preset functions. I have explored all the functions to see if these are things that I can change, but apparently I can not. The manual could do a better job of describing how to set and use the functions; my calculator came set up in the European manner of using commas for decimals and decimals for commas and it was trial and error to figure out how to change it. Contacting the seller was a waste of my time. There is only one person who handles calls about this calculator, which seemed odd. He was nice at first, but became irritable with me as I pursued these two issues. He tried to tell both conditions (the decimal at the center of the line and the commas instead of decimals) were normal, and I disagreed with him.I would have given this item 4 1/2 stars if either the manual or the seller was more helpful; it would have been a 5 if both were more helpful.

My old reliable Royal printing desktop calculator went out after 25+ years. First I tried a Victor Financial Printing Calculator because of all the features, only to find the paper keeps coming off the poorly designed paper holder when I tipped the machine on it's side to see where to feed in the paper. Then I discovered (the hard way) the paper guides didn't work right. Since I don't look at the machine when entering in a long list of numbers, I looked up to find the machine jammed so badly we had to send it back. I then tried a new Adler/Royal printing desktop calculator only to discover the numeric keys were now a size that would better fit a child's hand, not a man's or larger woman's hand such as mine. I couldn't keep from hitting the wrong keys as they were just too small and close together for my hand. I sent that back as well. Then I ordered the Monroe ULTIMATE Desktop 12 Digits Print/Display Calculator and prayed it would have keys big enough for my fingers and a better paper feed. Not only were the keys large enough (just barely), but the paper holder was really good. Because the paper is enclosed, not only doesn't dust get into my machine from the paper, but I can scoot the machine right up against the wall by my desk without a problem! This is a big plus. And if that weren't enough to be happy about, it has as many features as the Victor and many more! Plus a much better manual to explain the features then the Victor. This is the Calculator of my dream! Its only draw backs - you must use Monroe ribbons or cassettes, as the pins are too long on standard ribbons or cassettes. This means I can't use the left over ribbons from my old machine, and I'm at the mercy of the company staying in business (not good this day and age), but it does use standard paper rolls. I can always by lots of extra ribbons to use in the future. It claims you can store an extra ribbon cartridge underneath, but I tried that and without a door or something it doesn't do a very good job of holding it, in the place indicated by the book. Another draw back, it requires a small coin Battery CR2025, and when the battery goes out the "define key" functions will be lost and the machine reset button pressed after installing a new battery. For those who like defining the keys, this might be a problem as they will have to restore the define functions manually after each battery goes out. At least the battery can be replace, unlike a lot of other electronic things this day and age. For me, all in all the Monroe ULTIMATE is a really good little machine and I'm very happy with it!--Kathleen