xkcd-ians Recommendations for Graphing Calcs...

[Mike_Bson]

Are you aware of the TI-Nspire CAS (touchpad version) which offers more power, memory and an improved CAS over the voyage 200, in a less awkward form factor?

Can that do all of the things/have all the features of the voyage?

TI-Nspire is a much more powerful CAS than the Derive system that powers the Ti92/89/Voyage, I believe the touchpad version has a full qwerty keypad again (only small and blackberry like, not massive), Also there is a significant hardware upgrade (modern ARM processor, way more memory, SD slot rather than 2.5mm jack, etc...) Worth looking into more.

I hear the Voyage can do 3D graphs. The Nspire can do that, too, right?

[TheWindWaker01]

On the high school level anything above a TI-84 is probably unnecessary. But whatever you want, some more fancy ones may have uses that will help you understand things better.

[oracle989]

In high school, I'd suggest a TI-83/84. For college, classes where you CAN use a calculator in my experience let you use any calculator. I have an 84 Plus an an nSpire (not the CAS version). I prefer the 84 to the nSpire. If you aren't going all in on the CAS, the nSpire is next to worthless. It's far less capable than the 89, and only slightly better than an 84.

Also, what are people's thoughts on HPs? I'm looking at getting either an TI-89 or an HP 50G.

[RahulKolasseri]

Hey guys, I'm entering what is known here(Singapore) as Junior College, and I am told that I need to get either a TI-84 Plus(Singapore $148) or a T-84 Silver edition($175). So, which of the 2 is better, and is the silver edition worth shelling out a bit more?

[oracle989]

Hey guys, I'm entering what is known here(Singapore) as Junior College, and I am told that I need to get either a TI-84 Plus(Singapore $148) or a T-84 Silver edition($175). So, which of the 2 is better, and is the silver edition worth shelling out a bit more?

Just go for the Plus. The Silver's a little better spec'd if I recall, but it's not really much of a difference.

[GenericAnimeBoy]

I wouldn't recommend the 89 for a high school student at all. Yes, it's powerful, but it has one helluva learning curve and it's not allowed on several important standardized tests. When I changed over to the 89 from my old reliable 83plus, I'd say I was actually *slower* on it for the first couple of months. It's worth it for the university level, though--it was invaluable for double-checking my solutions on even-numbered calculus homework problems (but tests were no-calculators-at-all). It has also proven quite useful in my numerical analysis class, and it's a lot easier to use on a teaching theater desk than a laptop with matlab. You probably won't get the most out of its really high-level features unless you're majoring in engineering or some practical sciences.

[cameron432]

I'd get the 84-Plus. I find it to flow so much more than the nSpire. The nSpire is incredibly slow and very difficult to navigate. Tbh, at this point, the 84-plus is relatively cheap, and in 4 years (I'm assuming you're a freshman), the 89, and even the 200, are going to be obsolete, so don't waste your money on them... yet.

Actually, you probably don't even need more than a scientific calculator in high school. Most schools have calculators in their classrooms. And when you're at home, there's enough stuff online/on a scientific calculator to get by fine. But if you need a graphing, just buy an 84.

[doogly]

I'd put Maple, Matlab or Mathematica on a computer and leave all calculators in the dust.

[ashgray]

Well, my (probable) math teacher responded to an e-mail I sent him about this, he recommended nSpire. Just to check - can it do all the same awesome crap as 89?

(Btw, thanks for all the responses so far!)

The nSpire can emulate several different models (including the 84 and 89) via detachable keypads that are suited for each.

[cameron432]

Well, my (probable) math teacher responded to an e-mail I sent him about this, he recommended nSpire. Just to check - can it do all the same awesome crap as 89?

(Btw, thanks for all the responses so far!)

The nSpire can emulate several different models (including the 84 and 89) via detachable keypads that are suited for each.

... and I haven't touched my nSprire keypad since about a year ago. I don't think the 89 comes with it though.