Sinclair President

The Sinclair President is a calculator released by Sinclair Radionics in early 1978. There were two models, the President and the President Scientific. They were among the last calculators produced by Sinclair, and their large size was in contrast to the smaller, earlier models, like the Sinclair Executive, which made the company famous. The President models were related to the Sporting Life SETTLER, a calculator designed specifically for betting shops.

Sinclair President
A Sinclair President calculator (on a grid of 5cm squares)
ManufacturerRadofin
Introducedearly 1978
Design firmSinclair Radionics
CostGB£17.95
Calculator
Display typeVacuum fluorescent display
Display size8 digits
CPU
ProcessorNational Semiconductor MM57134ENW/M (President) General Instrument CF-599 (President Scientific)
Programming
Other
Power supply2x AA batteries
Dimensions160 by 94 by 28 millimetres (6.3 in × 3.7 in × 1.1 in)

History

It was launched in early 1978, at the price of GB£17.95.[1] It was the only Sinclair calculator not made in England, but instead made in Hong Kong by Radofin.[1] Competition in the calculator market was by this point fierce, and the Sinclair did not fare well against cheaper Japanese calculators with more efficient liquid-crystal displays.[1][2] The silver paint used was of poor quality, and was notorious for wearing off.[1][3]

Design

Both models were the same size, and intended for desktop use, being slightly too large to be readily portable at 160 by 94 by 28 millimetres (6.3 in × 3.7 in × 1.1 in).[1][4] Power was supplied by 2x AA batteries.[1][4] The screens were eight digit vacuum fluorescent displays, which resulted in a higher power consumption than a calculator with a liquid-crystal display.[3]

The President, as well as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, had percentage, memory, square root and square functions.[1] It was powered by a National Semiconductor MM57134ENW/M integrated circuit.[1][3] The President Scientific added logarithmic and trigonometric functions.[3] It was powered by a General Instrument CF-599.[4]

Sporting Life Settler

The Sporting Life SETTLER was a calculator designed for betting shops, with development sponsored by Sporting Life.[5] Due to the increased pressure on the calculator market, a number of calculators meant for a specific purpose where there was less competition were produced.[5] The Settler had National Semiconductor DS8881N and MM5799NBX/N circuits, and was slightly larger than the President, at 163 by 93 by 29 millimetres (6.4 in × 3.7 in × 1.1 in).[5] It was also produced in Hong Kong by Radofin.[5]

References
  1. "President". Vintage Calculators. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  2. "Sinclair President 1978". Planet Sinclair. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  3. "President". Vintage Sinclair. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  4. "President Scientific". Vintage Calculators. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  5. "The Sporting Life SETTLER". Vintage Calculators. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
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