The present invention is a pocket-sized, portable computing apparatus that performs frequently used laboratory calculations, provides a look-up function for commonly used data and procedures, and provides note-taking and data capture for record-keeping. The present invention displays data in a form that a chemist finds most convenient and manipulates this data with functions a chemist typically utilizes in his work. In addition, the present invention provides a user interface that is compatible with traditional methods for formula manipulations and chemistry workflows and that increases the efficiency of the user in performing laboratory tasks.