Calculator Accessories

Calculator accessories are parts and peripherals that protect handheld calculating devices and keep them functional. While some types of accessories are useful for many calculating machines, others are only useful for specific classes of these electronic devices. It’s also important to check for compatibility when shopping for the accessories. Browse the large inventory of essential office machines at Staples to find a wide selection of calculators and their accessories.

Choose from different types of protective calculator accessories
Scientific and graphing calculators have big displays that need protection from dust and sharp objects. There are screen protectors that can help shield the fragile screens from damage. These are thin, reinforced plastic or glass films that are resistant to scratches, scrapes, and fingerprints. Consider getting an anti-glare screen protector as this improves visibility in direct sunlight and under bright indoor lamps.

Cases are another class of essential protective accessories for calculators. Choose a silicone case for everyday use and a hard travel case to store the device while carrying it around. Some calculator manufacturers make customizable slide cases and faceplates for select models. In addition to protecting these devices, such accessories also improve their aesthetic appeal. For example, students can pick cases and faceplates in bright colors to match their school colors.

Find the right accessories to keep your calculators running smoothly
Accessories required to keep these electronic devices functional include batteries, data/power cables, power adapters, and expansion memory cards. Batteries, power cables, and power adapters are necessary for powering and/or charging the devices. When shopping for these calculator accessories, make sure to pick those made for your calculating machine. Confirm that their voltage and current ratings match the ones on the original accessories shipped with the device.

It’s possible to improve the performances of scientific and graphing calculators with expansion slots by upgrading their memory cards. This increases their data storage capacities and allows users to program more functions. Printing calculators require ink rollers, ribbons, cartridges, and paper rolls. They need these supplies to print out results when crunching numbers. Models that use ribbon printers need ink rollers or ribbons, while those equipped with thermal printers require special heat-sensitive thermal paper.

Do printing calculators use the same type of ink ribbon?
No. Before ordering replacement ribbons for a printing calculator, check the type of ribbon it uses. The two main types are spools and cartridges. A spool has its ink ribbon wrapped around two cylindrical reels, while a cartridge looks like a cassette tape. There’s a spool inside a cartridge ribbon, and the design protects the ink ribbon and reduces messy ink transfers.  

Are third-party calculator accessories comparable to OEM ones?
Third-party accessories from reputable brands perform similarly to the ones supplied by original equipment manufacturers. They may be more affordable. Cost-saving is only one reason to choose calculator accessories and parts from third-party manufacturers. These brands also provide supplies for models no longer supported by OEMs.

What are calculator presenters?
These are set-top boxes for showing the contents of graphing calculator screens on bigger displays. These calculator accessories act like video interfaces and can connect compatible calculators to TVs, VCRs, and projectors. Presenters are useful for teaching math concepts and calculator functions to big groups. They’re only compatible with select graphing calculator models.