jhcashman's Full Review: Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Scientific Calcul...
Let me just start off saying that this is one damn powerful calculator. It has basically every math function you can possibly think of. You can solve huge equations with this without even thinking! In fact in my school it has been banned in some classes because it does so much and people cheated on the tests!
Not only does it come with tons of built in functions you have tons of space to store programs and stuff. There are even text editor programs and other applications for this calculator. The best part as many of you know are the GAMES! WOW! this thing has graphics equal to the game boy at least. I mean its no color, but damn! Games like tetris, mario, doom, and zelda makes this calculator good for not only hard work but for playing hard too! Some of the games are even multiplayer and they are all free for the download via the internet!
Which brings me to the next point. This calculators is essentially a Pocket PC. I mean you can get a text editor for it, link it up to the internet using your computer, link it up to other calculators and even upgrade its memory! So I guess the main question is will you ever need such a powerful calculator? The answer: most likely not. Unless you are planning on being an engineer major at MIT you wouldn't even need 98% of the funtions offered by this calculator. Even if you do I still don't think you need this calculator. In my opinion a ti-83 will serve anyone fine. I mean, whats the point, if you just need a calculator for basic stuff. Save the extra money for something else. $165+ is a lot for a calculator!
Not only is it expensive it is hard to use! Unlike the ti 82, 83, 83 plus, and the 86 which have pretty tradional calculator screens, the ti 89 is based around a menu os system. Basically unless you plan on reading at least some of the manual which is about an inch thick don't plan on figuring out how to use this thing, especially by just playing around with it - you might break it!
So although this is probably the most powerful calculator i wouldn't recommend it to most people. I mean you really don't need it, a ti-83 is probably already more then enough for most people so why waste the money. Basically unless you have tons of money burning a hole in your pocket and you want the best of the best to show off - save your cash and get an ti-83.
Type: Overhead CalculatorPower: 4 AAA batteries with a Silver Oxide battery backup to protect RAM memory during main battery change.Features: About 18...More at Newegg.com
The TI-89 Titanium, offers preloaded Apps, and even more versatility. A built-in USB port makes data transfer ultra-convenient. Plus, with three times...More at eBay
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