DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM

Texas Instruments TI-1626

Date of introduction:	1985	Display technology:	LCD
New price:		Display size:	8
Size:	2.2" x 3.3" x 0.25" 57 x 84 x 6 mm³
Weight:	0.8 ounces, 23 grams	Serial No:
Batteries:	n.a.	Date of manufacture:	mth 07 year 1985
AC-Adapter:		Origin of manufacture:	Taiwan (C)
Precision:	8	Integrated circuits:
Memories:	1
Program steps:		Courtesy of:	Joerg Woerner
		Download manual:	(US: 1.3 MByte)

The TI-1626 could be called one of the smallest, thinnest and lightest calculators manufactured by Texas Instruments. Compare it with the TI CARD calculator TI-1786 and the TI-1606 "landscape-style" calculator.

Within one year Texas Instruments introduced the TI-505, a much more colorful calculator using an otherwise identical construction.

How do you design such a light calculator ?

This is an interesting question - the TI-1626 weights only 0.8 ounces.

The housing of the TI-1626 uses two thin plastic molded parts snapped easily together. We notice a standard printed circuit board (PCB) with some discrete components. The LC-display and the solar cells are connected with thin wires.
Even the component side of the TI-1626 uses a standard calculator IC - nothing exiting. The keyboard assembly is a traditional design, too. But the 0.8 ounces? Easy answer: Weight is proportional to size.

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.