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Calculator

Overview

Calculator features include the ability to perform standard operations and scientific functions, as well as graph equations in 2D or 3D space.

Mac OS X

OS X has a basic Calculator widget in Dashboard for quick access. For more sophisticated calculating, use OS X's Calculator application. It has standard, scientific, and programmer functions, as well as paper tape and unit conversions, such as volume, temperature, currency, and more. Currency conversions can be updated online so that they are always up-to-date.


OS X's Calculator

Every Mac Application is a Super Calculator!
Use Script Editor Service to perform calculations in any application that you can type in. Just type your math — for instance (26*234)/3 — then select it and hit -* (or go to Services > Script Editor > Get Result of AppleScript). Your selection will be replaced with the result. Since the command is Get Result of AppleScript, you can type any string that AppleScript knows how to process. For instance, you can type: length of "http://www.xvsxp.com/" and it will return 21. Or type current date and it will return date "Thursday, April 24, 2003 6:59:42 PM". Etc., etc.

OS X supplies Grapher for graphing complex equations in 2D or 3D space:

grapher.png

Windows XP

Microsoft's calculator has both standard and scientific functions.


Windows XP's calculator

XP's calculator lacks a paper tape and unit conversions. Microsoft offers Power Toys Calculator as a free download (part of MS's free Power Toys). Power Calculator includes graphing capabilities and many unit conversions, and has a history window which can be saved to file (or copy and pasted to other documents). Microsoft also offers Calculator Plus for free download, which has standard, scientific, and conversion features. Calculator Plus can be customized to include any currency of your choice (although additional currencies have to be looked up manually).

Conclusion

Mac OS X
  • Standard and Scientific Functions
  • Paper Tape
  • Unit conversions
  • More built-in currency conversions
  • Any application can calculate
  • Sophisticated 2D and 3D graphing capabilities
  • Dashboard widget means one-click access to calculator
Windows XP
  • Standard and scientific functions
  • History window
  • Graphing capabilities are a separate download, and are less sophisticated than OS X's Grapher
  • Unit conversions and currency conversions are available as two separate downloads
  • Fewer default currency conversions
  • Additional currencies must be looked up manually

Mac OS X: 9
Windows XP: 6

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