The adding machines you will find at the big box stores are not geek worthy. Try quill. I have used them for years. Since MS calc does not give you an instant hardcopy and I need to do a lot of calculations. It is also nicer not to open another window. I use it very fast just as one would a Num pad. It is really a niche item for accountants,bankers, stock brokers and in my case certain types of coding. I do not think it would just be cool to have for no reason. especially since the hard core ones are $150+ I personally would wear out a $35 one in a month. A CPA would in a day. To this day you will find this on almost any CPA's desk. It is pretty much required in that line of work.