DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM
|
DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Texas Instruments BA-II (Taiwan)
| Date of introduction: | 1984 | Display technology: | LCD |
| New price: | Display size: | 8 (5 + 2) | |
| Size: | 5.3" x 2.8" x 0.45" 135 x 70 x 11 mm3 |
||
| Weight: | 2.3 ounces, 64 grams | Serial No: | 1509991 |
| Batteries: | 2*LR44 | Date of manufacture: | mth 03 year 1985 |
| AC-Adapter: | Origin of manufacture: | Taiwan | |
| Precision: | 11 | Integrated circuits: | TP0322 |
| Memories: | 1 | ||
| Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner |
The
BA-II used the calculator chip of the 1978 model Business
Analyst II again with a new styling.
A deeper exploration of the BA-II reveals two different designs, the first was introduced already in 1984 together with the BA-35, TI-30 III and TI-35 II. The second design - like the counterparts BA-35, TI-30 III and TI-35 II - was manufactured in USA and Italy.
Main difference between these calculator pairs is their origin and internal construction:
| Model | Origin | Introduction | PCB construction |
| TI-30 III | Taiwan | year 1984 | rigid PCB |
| TI-35 II | Taiwan | year 1984 | rigid PCB |
| BA-II | Taiwan | year 1984 | rigid PCB |
| TI-30 III | USA, Italy | year 1985 | flexible PCB |
| TI-35 II | USA, Italy | year 1985 | flexible PCB |
| BA-II | USA, Italy | year 1985 | flexible PCB |
Even
the display frame of the BA-II sibblings is different, just compare the position
of the thin lines above and below the window. (Left picture shows original
design).
The
internal construction of the two calculators is completely different, the
original design (left side) uses a rigid printed circuit board (PCB) with a
solid metal frame for the LC-display and a conventional battery holder. The
later design manufactured in Italy uses a flexible board with a clamp to contact
the display and batteries. We know this type of construction from a long line of
TI calculators.
About two years later the solar powered BA-SOLAR
was introduced, this calculator uses a brain from Toshiba instead the TI
calculator chip.
The BA-II was later replaced with the BA II PLUS. Sandwiched between these two calculators you'll find the rare BA-III.
Compare this traditional calculator with the advanced Business Edge or the powerful Financial Investment Analyst FIA-10.
A very similar calculator was sold from Radio Shack as EC-5100.
New Specialties, Inc. based in Vidalia, Georgia introduced in
1987 with the APOTHECALC
computer an interesting product using the flexibilty of the BA-II calculator
design prooven already with the
Jeppesen Sanderson Avstar
flight computer.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, May 13, 2003. No reprints without written permission.