You've just changed the precedence.

Thanks, I know. I meant that most non-scientific calculators I used worked this way.

That doesn't make them less broken!

And if the software has the capability to do it right why bother building in a 'broken' mode.

It reflects the old paper tape usage model, where you typed it in in the order you wanted to perform the operations.

Apple's Calculator.app works similarly, although their default state is better. If you open up the "Shown Paper Tape" window, and type "1 + 2 * 3 [enter]", it replies "1 + 2 * 3 = 7" If you then type "1 + 2 [enter]", it replies "1 + 2 = 3", then if you hit " * 3 [enter]" it replies "1 + 2 * 3 = 9".

Yes, I can see how the 'enter' would force the precedence.

The '=' key will do the same.

I think it's because non-mathematical people tend to use calculators in the 'broken' way. Their thought process is "ok, 1+2" (implicit equals) "times 3".