Our Verdict
If there ’s one constant across every Mac we ’ve ever used , it ’s the calculator . From System 1 to Yosemite , there ’s always been a basic act cruncher baked right into the operating system , but for the most part , the computer on our screen background still are n’t much smarter than the ones in our desk drawers .
Numi(Mac App Store link ) breaks that cast . A calculator built for the iOS generation , the minimal public utility company eschews the traditional keypad in favour of casual , schoolbook - based equation that let you see exactly what ’s been added and take off .
There ’s not much about Numi that resembles a traditional calculator . There are no buttons or symbolization , and quite candidly , it looks more like a textbook editor than an adding machine . But as you typecast , Numi scans for any number and nearby arithmetic role and apace solve anything you contrive at it .
It ’s not quite as mere as exploit five times four on a familiar computer keyboard , but Numi is more sinewy and versatile than any traditional calculator app I ’ve ever used . It ’s lightweight enough to rest in the fare bar or dock , but it find pretty like a freeform version of Numbers . For example , I was able to get across my expenses for a late family vacation and visualize not just how much I had pass , but what I bought and whether my useable cash had been depleted . I can only think how helpful it would have been in my college concretion course .
Since it ’s textual matter base , Numi have you easily edit out and excuse your numbers , and while there ’s no mark or exportation option , it always think your last res publica . Quotients and sums are tape as instantly as when using a even calculator , but things can get knavish , specially when deal out with multi - measure problems . But once you control its unparalleled language , you ’ll never want to launch Calculator again .
This review is part of Macworld’sGemFest 2014 . Every weekday from July until September , the Macworld staff will utilize the Mac Gems web log to briefly deal a standout free , low - cost , or swell - value programme . you may see a leaning of this year ’s apps , updated daily , on our handy GemFest chart , and you may chatter the Mac Gems homepage for past Mac Gems reviews .
Want to stay up to particular date with the latest gemstone ? you could stick to Mac Gemson Twitteroron App.net . you’re able to also sign to the Mac Gems RSS feed .