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Stats...
 | 2/ 1983
12/ 1990 |
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69 mm
130 mm
13 mm
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 | 35 rubles |
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A | 3 x small buttons | B | 4 x small buttons |
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Factories...
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Elektronika MK-33, MK-33I11
Sometimes even a "boring" machine can be quite interesting. The Elektronika MK-33 gives a fascinating insight into the quality control and production methods of machines from the mid 1980s. Also, here you can see some of the fun in collecting - this calculator presents us with a bit of a mystery!
© Thomas Brockmeier
| | © Sergei Frolov
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Perverse? Or, just plain Inverse!
Sergei recently wrote me with his discovery of a new variant of the MK-33, one with a reciprocal (1/x) key, rather than the standard square-root key. At first, this seemed to be just a minor (rare) variation, but further investigation suggests that earlier versions of the machine were incorrectly labeled. Have a look at the montage, below...
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| The two key variants, top left, and the user-modified key (with close-up) showing correction of the erroneous label. Note the most unusual representation of the square-root symbol in the middle key, at left - almost certainly a mistaken transcription of 1/x
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The large image is my own MK-33, and it is clear that the owner has attempted to erase the lines in the square-root symbol to change it to 1/x (the actual function of that key) - so, what's going on here?
The original model of the MK-33 had the function 1/x, a holdover from the earlier C3-33, but this was quickly improved and later versions of the machine replaced this function with square-root. Or, so the theory goes!
Sergei has different versions of this calculator with 1/x and square-root. The later square-root version does not flash the display when keys are pressed, and on pressing the = key a second time, the result is rounded to two decimal digits. In addition, after pressing the IP key (1st key at left, 2nd row from top) twice, the constant Pi is shown on the screen. And finally, of course, it actually performs square-root.
So, there are definitely two variants of this machine. This means that mine, with the incorrect labeling, has had its faceplate (or body) transplanted, OR that it was manufactured with the incorrect faceplate. I feel the second is more likely, but to determine that we will have to await the discovery of another square-root labeled variant and see if it performs 1/x or square-root(x).
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"I have check out cards/boards of my C3-33 and both MK-33. They are
identical (C3-33 and early MK-33) and has additional IC instead of
transistors (later MK-33).
May be that previous ovner of your MK-33 have changes either upper cover
or printed board.
I think that changes upper cover is more realistic bocause both MK-33
has 3-batteries (changable - calculator has back cover for replacing
batteries) instead of 4 batteries (non-changable) in the C3-33." |
- Sergei Frolov
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