Comparison

Pentatronics 1000 vs my16c

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Pentatronics 1000

Experience a faithful re-creation of a legendary gaming calculator from a bygone era. This app brings back the iconic "READY" message and the novelty of having a game on a calculator, blending math with fun, style, and humor.

Highlights
  • Faithful re-creation of a legendary gaming calculator
  • Iconic "READY" message
  • Calculator with built-in games
  • Emphasis on fun, style, and humor
  • Brings a rare collectible to mobile
Features
Read full description

Pentatronics 1000 is a faithful re-creation of the legendary gaming calculator, one of the most exciting calculators of its era. Pentatronics 1000 introduced many novelties such as the iconic "READY" message that has been adopted by virtually every calculator ever since. Today we take for granted that a calculator should have at least one game, but this was again an innovation brought by Pentatronics. Pentatronics creators believed that life shouldn't be just about math and logic. Fun, style, and humor were every bit as important. Unfortunately, today these calculators are impossible to find except in the hands of a few lucky collectors. We are honored to bring this rare calculator to your mobile device. We would like to thank all the people who helped us during the development of this app, especially Edwin J. Gallaghan from the original Pentatronics 1000 development team. Without Edwin's expertise and warm encouragement, we couldn't have completed this project. For feedback, contact us at pentatronics1000@gmail.com.

About

my16c

This app emulates a legendary programmer's calculator from the 1980s, offering cycle-accurate performance and faithful reproduction of its features. It includes base conversions, bit manipulation, RPN, and programmability, with modern conveniences like iCloud sync and a dark interface.

Highlights
  • Cycle-accurate emulation
  • Full base conversion (HEX, DEC, OCT, BIN)
  • Bit operations
  • RPN entry
  • Programmable
  • Authentic LCD display
  • Word size control
Read full description

The programmer's calculator that defined an era — now in your pocket. my16C brings the legendary 16C Voyager series programmer's calculator back to life with cycle-accurate emulation running the original microcode. Every keystroke, every display flicker, every RPN operation — faithfully reproduced. WHY PROGRAMMERS LOVE THE 16C The 16C wasn't just a calculator — it was the essential tool for every serious programmer and computer engineer in the 1980s. Its unique combination of base conversions, bit manipulation, and RPN logic made it indispensable. Decades later, it remains unmatched. FEATURES • Cycle-accurate emulation — runs the original Voyager microcode, not a simulation • Full base conversion — HEX, DEC, OCT, and BIN at the press of a key • Bit operations — shifts, rotates, AND, OR, XOR, NOT, 1's and 2's complement • RPN entry — the efficient Reverse Polish Notation stack system • Programmable — write, store, and run programs just like the original • Authentic 7-segment LCD display with all original annunciators • Word size control (WSIZE) — work with 8, 16, 32, or 64-bit integers • Floating point mode for standard calculations • Unsigned and signed arithmetic modes BUILT FOR TODAY • iCloud sync — your calculator state follows you across devices • Native on iPhone and Mac — landscape optimized on iOS, resizable window on macOS • Full keyboard support on Mac — type numbers and operators directly • Dark interface faithful to the original Voyager design • Built-in Owner's Manual for quick reference TRY BEFORE YOU BUY my16C includes a free trial period so you can experience the full calculator before purchasing. A single one-time purchase unlocks the app forever — no subscriptions. Whether you're a software engineer debugging hex values, a retro computing enthusiast, or someone who remembers the original on their desk — my16C is the most authentic way to use the legendary 16C today.

Screenshots

Pentatronics 10002 screens
my16c3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Pentatronics 1000 at 100% against my16c's 0%. Pentatronics 1000 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.3 vs 26.0). my16c's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. my16c sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pentatronics 1000 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pentatronics 1000 ships an update fortnightly, my16c every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Pentatronics 1000 versus my16c: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPentatronics 1000my16c
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS13.3 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPaul NovaesMiroslav Perovic

Customer experience

Pentatronics 1000

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

my16c

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Pentatronics 1000

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

my16c

One-time1
  • Unlock Full App$9.99

Questions

Is Pentatronics 1000 free?
Pentatronics 1000 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is my16c free?
my16c is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pentatronics 1000 or my16c have ads?
Neither Pentatronics 1000 nor my16c shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pentatronics 1000 or my16c?
Pentatronics 1000 ships an update fortnightly, and my16c every 5 days. Most recently, Pentatronics 1000 was updated on October 20, 2026 and my16c on October 20, 2026.

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